Red Baron 361

i'v been searching for an hour on google and here and cant find a darnd thing.


has anyone done this before i am almost half considering it but wanna hear what its like from people who have done it.

its for weight reduction and to free up the motor.


i also run 255 tires in the front

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

Yes it's possible, & yes it's been done quite a few times.
Using my iPhone, so sorry I don't have the exact links. There's
at least 3 or 4.

Go to the " search " @ the top of the screen, go to
"advanced search" option,

In the box that says
" key words or phrases "
Type in " Manual steering " see what comes up.

The things to remember----
S-10 4bolt manual box, your 3rdgen pitman arm.
A few ppl have used the S-10 pitman, so,

READ ALL the threads you find all the way thru!!

AlkyIROC

The easiest way is to use a steering box from an 84+ S10. It's the steering box with the 4 bolt top cover. This is a direct bolt in to a third gen. It's best to swap the pitman arm over to keep the same steering geometry but some people don't bother. The S10 pitman arm is a slightly different length.

Don't get the older 3 bolt top cover box. It's not a direct bolt in. It can be used but you can't use the third gen pitman arm or steering shaft coupler.

Manual steering boxes can be found in S10/S15 trucks that came with the 2.5L 4 cylinder but not all 4 cylinder S10's have manual steering.

Red Baron 361

thanks guys.

i'l be sure to do that and look around for those parts.

what all has to be done to do the swap?

AlkyIROC

Remove power steering box, pump, hoses and cooler if equipped. Install manual steering box.

GM Man

With the power steering removed does it place any more stress on the frame?

99xtreme

No, it can not put any more stress on the frame. The stress that is put on the frame is from the torque of the gearbox trying to turn the front wheels. Power steering gearbox will always be able to put out more torque than a manual.

But, your rag joints, steering column, and driver will see a lot more stress at low speeds.

AlkyIROC

Without power assist, a manual steering box gets torque multiplication from gearing. A typical power steering box turns about 2-1/2 to 3 turns from stop to stop while a manual steering box turns 7.

In normal day to day driving, you'll hardly notice it but you'll notice it in parking lot driving especially with wide front tires. You'll be cranking the steering wheel more to make those low speed sharp turns. Also with a manual steering box, try not to use a small steering wheel. It makes torque multiplication even worse.

GM Man

Didnt think it would put any more stress on the frame, but I wasn't 100% sure. Thanks..

Rob 97 Z28

iTrader: (3)

subscribing...

Has anyone attempted this while retaining a serpentine setup as well?? Been looking into to doing this myself. Thought about trying to find a a/c delete pulley that could be welded in the d/s bracket assembly thats close in size to the stock p/steering pulley... or the other option of runing an electric water pump and converting the alt. pulley to V-belt pulley...thats the expensive alternate:

*manual box is north of $200 plus a
*new stock 82-92 pit man arm (no point in reusing a 20 year old steering component)
*Alt V-belt pulley
*Elec. SBC w/pump

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

No need to replace the Pitmen arm(unless bent)..so that one is a freebee

JJames

What kind of benefits would you actually get from removing the power steering pump? Enough to justify doing it?

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

people do this with drag cars, to remove weight

JJames

I've spent most of my life at the strip, but I never really thought there was enough weight to justify removing it. I suppose it's a pretty entertaining thought though, and may be something to compare before and after results.

nosajwols

iTrader: (1)

In my old x-body I just removed the pump and routed a line from in to out on the PS box (to keep crud out). Ran that way for years.

The down side is it is really hard to parallel park but you get a good upper body work-out.

The upside to doing it this way is you still have the lower lock to lock turn count of the PS box as opposed to the 7 or so of the manual boxes. Once rolling at speed you do not notice any real difference (but the car was not used for auto-x...). It was a good mod for a drag car.

As for why, well my PS pump bought the farm and removing it saved a little weight and took off a little HP losing drag on the motor.

I have never done it on the Z28 (keeping the PS).

Rob 97 Z28

iTrader: (3)

Thats the main reason why i'm doing it. If I can eliminate the P/S pump, lines, driver side serp bracket, pass side serp bracket all I need to get is an electric water pump and see if Alan Grove can make me a lower pass side alt bracket that will accept a 96-00 350 Vortec alt.

It would also keep the engine bay VERY accessable and simple:
No power steering
No power windows
No power mirrors
No power seats
No power locks
No A/C or system cpmponents


Obviously its not a DD, just a fun wkend toy and trying to squeeze every last bit of power out of my set up