New Sway bars tells me I need a fast ratio steering

I just installed the Trans Am 1 1/4 front and Summit 1" rear sway bar on my 65 Skylark. The transitions and general handling are vastly improved just like you might expect. She stays flat in all situation.

However, I realized quickly that the 8 million:1 steering box is in dire need of an upgrade. The car will now transition in and out of corners faster than I can steer it.

 

http://powersteering.com/
Talk to him, nice guy, he did mine.

 

Just curious, how much change in the ride with the new sway bars? I was thinking about a 1 1/4" for the front, but I was worried it would make the ride too stiff.

I am running 15/16" in the front and 7/8" in the rear. The rear bar is new as is the powersteering.com upgrade to quick ratio power steering. Oh, and power disc brakes. I haven't got it back on the road yet, waiting for a couple of rear axle brake lines from a slow supplier. I am hoping for some real improvements with all the upgrades.

 

You may want to stick with your current sway bars. I was surprised at how much stiffer the ride is now. I would be curious ride in a car with a 1" front and a 7/8" rear. Just to see what the trade off difference is.

However, with these bars she stays dead flat. No body roll at all. She is going to be a ton of fun with a fast ratio steering box. Or two tons of fun in this case LOL.

 

Why not do the Jeep Grand Cherokee box conversion?

 

Or you could just send me the box out your 87 GN. p

 

Do you still have your stock steering wheel? I have been wondering how that thin, hard wheel will feel on your hands with the higher effort steering.

 

i just ordered a 2 3/4 turn box from carquest application is 72 chevelle it cost me $98 and it will bolt right in no fitting adapters or ragjoint changes much easier

 

Kurt, I'm not sure what car you've got the setup in. Regardless, on an otherwise stock F41 car with 245 60 15 tires all around I found the larger front bar makes the car a neutral handler, and much easier to throttle steer. The stock setup really oversteers (has a loose rear). I've found I can stay on the gas through a corner with the big bar. With a stock front bar the rear comes around and can put you into a 180 pretty fast. If anything you need faster steering with the stock bar. The bigger bar has negligible affect on suspension firmness.

I'll be up around Lakeport for the 4th of July. My good friends are the Seelys. Perhaps you've heard of them.

 

I have a 65 GS frame and suspension under a 65 El Camino. As soon as I can I am going to separate the GS frame from the El Camino and reunite it with a 65 Buick body. So for now I am light in the rear as an El Camino has little rear weight.

I don't think I know the Seelys, but then I forget more peoples' names than I remember. Lakeport is a nice small town and people do tend to know each other. I assume you are coming for the fireworks?

 

:gp:
I use a 1 3/16 Helwig bar. Looking for a bigger than stock bar for the back. In my opinion sway bars do not affect ride that much.

 

Let me know if that works out. If so, that seems like a great way to go.

 

I can tell you how it worked for me. Excellent!

I ordered a 69 Chevelled box for a SS396 and it swapped right over, no rag joint mods no nothing, just a direct replacement. What a difference!

Not sure what year Chevelle one will work on your (65?) though.

 

Oh, I misunderstood. I was thinking you just ordered it and had not received it yet. Can you tell me the part number you used?

As I understand it. 64-72 are all the same. So, the same box should work for me.

Is your steering feel firmer now too like on the Buick GNs?

 

The effort isn't that much higher with a quick ratio box. If you want to know hard steering with a thin wheel, you should try my 77 ford truck with no power steering.

 

Fireworks? Naw - I come over there to mix firearms with alcohol; to not wear a shirt or shoes in a grocery store and have everyone be OK with this. :grin:

 

I just ordered that box from AutoZone. It is supposed to be in on Thursday. I found this post on a Chevelle Forum by a guy who works for the reman company. I called to confirm the part number and they said it is correct.

Here is the post:
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showpost.php?p=801480&postcount=2

It is Atsco part # 6563

I will share with everyone how it works out. It is $214.00

 

installed mine today bolted right in no problem best $98 i spent put on a new center link idler arm and a set of kyb shocks on the front and holycrap its a totally new car no more granny car bouncin down the road takin 40 spins of the wheel to turn around

 

What was the part # you used? Thanks

 

carquest 27-6509
i get parts at cost it was $98
web sight says list is $225 so probably about $200 if you dont get any discount and it bolts right in and damn does it drive nice now