M: Most steering boxes will...
M: Most steering boxes will be a constant ratio like this box, PN 7826692. This box is often identified by its nearly square bolt pattern on the cover. They may be found on a variety of GM products. This one came on a metric chassis. Variable ratio boxes are on some early Camaros and Firebirds equipped with 15-inch wheels from the factory.
Q: I need a little info on tire pressures. We are running a '76 Camaro in the Charger class at the Bullring at Las Vegas. This is a 31/48-mile paved track. Our track tire is a Hoosier 890. We have been running 30-32 psi in the right-front, 25-27 psi in the right-rear, and 22-25 on the left side. The car seems to handle well, but we don't get much heat in the tires, even on a hot day. Our tire temperature in the right-front is about 150 degrees. The other tires are also in this low range. Others tell me they run somewhat less pressure and higher tire temperatures. Can you give us a head start on tire temperatures and air pressures?RussellVia e-mail
Sleepy: Russell, I talked to Joel Boyd at Smiley's Racing Products/ Hoosier Tire Southwest. I described your tire temperatures and pressures. He thought that tire temperatures up to 180-190 degrees would be in the right range. Pressures could be slightly lower than what you've listed. What he cautioned about was when and how you read tire temperatures. On a longer track, the tires can cool between corners. They can also cool if the car makes its way all the way back to its pit rather than a hot pit just off the track. If you are comparing tire temperatures with others, make sure you are getting them in the same time frame. Joel also said the outside edge of the tire should not be more than 10 degrees hotter than across the rest of the tire.
There are also other things that affect tire temperatures. Springs that are too stiff don't allow the tire to work hard enough. When this happens, the tire is sitting on top of the surface, not getting a grip. Softer springs, with the appropriate shock combination, will allow the tire to get down into the surface. This produces traction. More traction means the tire is working harder, thus it will heat up more.
Remember, you are with the car at the track and I am here, stuck in Florida with all the palm trees and alligators. I think I would start with a 700 left-front spring and a 750 right-front. Use a sway bar adjustment to tighten down the left side. This will add crossweight (preload the right-front). When you have bump travel of about 2 inches measured at the center of the wheel, you will have about the right springs.
A Camaro has leaf rear springs. Multi-leaf springs are effective friction shock absorbers. The friction between the leaves during flex acts as a shock. However, this friction can change due to moisture, sand, or other things. This effect is eliminated with the mono leaf. Now shock selection can be more consistent with what the car needs.
By the way, leaf springs, like all springs, will take a set. Leafs sometimes continue to settle down, changing the ride height. These are not worn out. They just need to be re-arched. If you have a strong arm and an anvil, you can do it yourself. Otherwise take the spring to a spring shop. It is usually cheap. Lay the spring on the floor. Draw a chalk line down one side for reference on the arch. Then tell the folks at the spring shop where you want the spring to be.
Q: Is there a way to tell if a steering box is a constant ratio or variable ratio? My power steering carries PN 7826692, which is probably from an '80 Malibu since that is the frame used on my mod. Is there any real difference in the way the car will drive with the two different units?MikeVia e-mail
Sleepy: Glen Meyers at Coleman Racing Products looked up the information you need. I knew there were some variable ratio boxes out there, but I wasn't sure where. Glen says the variable boxes came in Camaros and Firebirds with 15-inch wheels back in the late '70s. They seem to have fallen from favor due to the use of steering quickeners.
Speaking of steering boxes, when a GM box is used, get the box that has an aluminum top with the four bolts located roughly in a square pattern. Experience indicates these hold up better than the ones with the round cover
In Sleepy's Track Tech, generic reference is often made to parts, tools, and so on. Listed below are manufacturers of these items. The manufacturer can direct you to your nearest dealer.