N44 Fast Ratio Box ID Help

[Day2_69Z]

Need help to identify a real Quick ratio 69 Z/28 manual steering box.

Does a Fast ratio box have an aluminum cover or cast iron cover/adjustment plate.
Any specific casting #'s between an aluminum top vs cast iron top on the Box itself ?

Why aluminum and cast iron covers ?
Cast #'s & pics appreciated.

[bbbentley]

Well, to my knowledge, Camaro wise, only a MANUAl box will have a cast iron cover for 67-8,Aluminum for 69, power assist boxes are all aluminum top cover (at least 69, I know). The special N44 for a Z had the same box, different internal gears. N44 was available in either type, man. & pwr.as you already probably know. Try this CRG topic coverage and see how many turns, lock-to-lock your box takes. If it still has the pitman arm, that could be a good clue 3953227 is the #. Good luck. http://camaros.org/suspen.shtml#steer

[William]

For the most part Z/28 'fast-ratio' steering was accomplished via linkage changes. The standard Z/28 setup used the production manual box with a longer pitman arm and shorter steering arms. So a manual gear with a 5.75" c-c pitman arm is technically a fast-ratio box but must be used with the appropriate steering arms.

It was possible to order N44 on a Z/28 and I believe that used the faster box also. But it is so fast and stiff even Trans-Am drivers complained about it back in the day. I was at Road America a few years ago and happened to be near the tent when the '69 Penske Camaro came back from the parade lap. With the car stopped the driver couldn't cut the wheels to back it into position. He shut it off and left it outside.

[Day2_69Z]

I read over the CRG ....
The Box in question has the Cast Iron top...Long 5.8" arm , short steering arms and a box dated Late September 1969

No specifics on Z/28 Ratios
nor
N44 Ratios.
Other than different gears were used inside the box.

What does a Manual Z/28 Box have for turns Lock to Lock ?
&
N44 ?

[bbbentley]

My one car that has manual N44 is just under 3 turns lock-to-lock, IIRC. A member on this site, who also is a CRG
researcher, who has done extensive data collection regarding N44 is Jon Mello, https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...rs/717/1967z28

Perhaps contacting him would be helpful. Also, Dave Possi site has a lot of info. There is a link if you return to the CRG link I gave.

[m22mike]

Good info here

Pozzi racing

[SS427]

Thanks for sharing Mike.

[Day2_69Z]

Thanks guys.....
I think I have a good handle on all the various details.

Much appreciated. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

[Woj]

My 69 Camaro 307 glide car has a quick ratio power steering box. The car only has 13k original miles and does appear to have the original box, based on patina, grease and rust. That box only has 2.5 turns stop to stop. It took some getting used to the quick turning of the box. What I found notable was the date on the box, 257 of 68. A full 8 months before the build date of the car, 6A.

Let me know if this sounds reasonable. It was originally owned by a little old lady. The car had 11k miles on it when I bought it some 13 years ago. I really doubt anyone changed the box.

Phil Woj.

[m22mike]

Phil
I don't remember, does the Camaro have power steering ?

Mike