Beating a Dead Horse? (Steering Choices)

[mammlouk]

Okay guys. I've got my '65 Dart Wagon running well enough that I'm daily driving it and I need to give it better manners. It is a 273 w/ Power Steering. I'm trying to decide between a FirmFeel Stage 3 Power Steering unit or going to the 16:1 Fast Ratio manual. Under 30mph the car is fine, but the majority of my drive is at 65mph and I will be facing snow/ice during the winter. The current steering is just too vague and touchy for me to be feel safe.

I have read the Mopar Action "Pump it Down" article, but I have a Federal pump, not the Saginaw so it doesn't seem to be applicable in my situation. I'd love to be proven wrong with a detailed walkthrough.

All advice is welcome. I'm curious if anyone who went with the FirmFeel Stage 3 ever ended up going to manual for a better feel.

 

[jimjimjimmy]

I have been told the firm feel 20 to1 ratio is the best for the street and is on my purchase list .the 24 to 1 stock ratio is to slow and the 16 to 1 is a little stiff the 20 I am told is perfect .Remember the factory power unit is 16to1 ratio also .

 

[cudajames]

I have a FirmFeel stage 3 in my 66 barracuda. The change is very noticeable in a positive way over stock. It holds the road way better and there isn't any slop during driving.
Before the wheel could move side to side well driving in a straight line. Now the car feels like a modern car - I haven't had it much over 90 yet but holds the road very well

It was worth the money - (the installation was a major pain in the arse (but that was plymouth's fault ))

 

[mammlouk]

I have been told the firm feel 20 to1 ratio is the best for the street and is on my purchase list .the 24 to 1 stock ratio is to slow and the 16 to 1 is a little stiff the 20 I am told is perfect .Remember the factory power unit is 16to1 ratio also .

Indeed you are correct. I meant to say 20:1 for the fast ratio manual in my original post, but my fingers got ahead of my brain.

 

[mammlouk]

I have a FirmFeel stage 3 in my 66 barracuda. The change is very noticeable in a positive way over stock. It holds the road way better and there isn't any slop during driving.
Before the wheel could move side to side well driving in a straight line. Now the car feels like a modern car - I haven't had it much over 90 yet but holds the road very well

It was worth the money - (the installation was a major pain in the arse (but that was plymouth's fault ))

Thanks for the feedback. I guess part of the problem is that I'm having a hard time imagining the power steering coming out okay with how terrible the stock setup feels. Either way I'm definitely not looking forward to the install.

I like the idea of going manual because it would allow me to drop a little bit of weight and parasitic load. That could be beneficial especially since I may add in A/C somewhere down the road. On the other hand we don't have room for a bunch of extra cars, so I need to make sure my wife can drive this one if our family car is down for maintenance. I think at this point I'm leaning toward keeping the power steering and going with the FirmFeel Stage 3 unless someone has something to say against it or a great argument for going with the manual.

 

[mammlouk]

I ordered the FirmFeel Stage 3. No turning back now!

 

[AJ/FormS]

Well, I guess it's too late for any comment from me then.

 

[mammlouk]

Well, they won't be able to get back to me until Monday about whether they have one in stock or they are going to need a week to build it, so I can always call and change my order on Monday if you've got a compelling argument.

 

[vntned]

How much was it?

 

[mammlouk]

They'll give me the full price breakdown in the email, but once I send back my core it should be ~$380 + tax
Firm Feel Steering Box Rebuilds A-Body

 

[AJ/FormS]

Well OK then.
I have rebuilt several of those p/s boxes. There is really nothing to them.And the rebuild kits are dirt-cheap.The single best thing you can do for them is to put a couple of extra reaction discs into them. This takes some of the vagueness out of them, and puts some feedback back into them, and gets rid of some of that over boost.
But I remember the 65 long roof I had. I put a 340/904 into it. Crazy !
But the thing I remember about mine was the soft,mushy, suspension. Between the 6banger springs and the so-soft shocks, it wallowed pretty good. So when I commanded the steering box to do one thing, the chassis kindof played catch-up. And when it finally did catch up,it had it's own thing in mind. But I was young (22ish), and with my lightning(lol)reflexes, I managed to keep that one at least, out of the ditches. That car was one of the funnest I ever owned.
But hey, if you wanna have some fun with that old girl, put a stock long-block360/904/2.94s in her. But unlike what I did,back in 75,you really oughtta accompany that with some suspension and brake upgrades.
Hooker made fenderwells for that application, but they definitely limited the steering.I wouldn't use them again,they were for drag-racing where turning is not a big deal, and front tires are often tall and skinny.
So getting back to the box; you know the rack is adjustable right?,to take up most of that slop.

 

[75slant6]

Well, I guess it's too late for any comment from me then.

Let's hear it.

 

[GMachineDartGT]

There is always the Borgeson conversion. Its more expensive but the precision is much better than the stock boxes. The ratio is 14:1.

 

[fratzog lover]

Anyone go from p/s to manual? I have considered it, as I love my manual brakes. Less complexity, weight and hp loss, more room. There is something to be said if you commute is not all parking lots!