What steering gearbox fits a 70 Nova

I have read somewhere about guys using a S-10 gearbox on Novas. Maybe they are aluminium or something but do they fit and are they a direct bolt on or what? Thanks. RM

BUMP, nobody has an answer to this? RM

S-10 boxes aren't aluminum.

Not sure if they'd fit a '70 or not.

I do have a manual box from a '70 if you're interested in it, email or pm me.

Thanks for the reply Mark, I appreciate that. I ask the question due to something some guys were talking about Sat at the track. I figured someone here would know. Maybe someone will see this and be able to respond. Thanks again. RM

A few years back, I got caught up in the idea that I needed a quicker ratio steering box. After a little thought, I remembered that the '69 Z28 had a quick ratio steering box and shared the same frame as a third gen X-body. So I put one on order. It bolted right up and I was feeling pretty smug that I thought of such cool and simple swap. Then I drove the car. Since I had been driving Novas for many years at that point, it was very awkward trying to drive around curves at speed. On a right turn, I found myself tugging the steering wheel back to the left in a rhythmic fashion. But it didn't stop there, U-turns suddenly required three lanes. (Much larger turning radius. The front spindle would not make it to the stops on the lower A-arms.) About two weeks of this was all I could stand. I ordered a reman OE steering box. This took the car back to being a comfortable driver again. Later, I learned that the '69 Z28 used a different length pitman arm and idler arm than a third gen. I still have that '69 Z28 steering box on a shelf, It's not going back on.

This may be helpful on this subject. Years ago, my parents had a '80 Malibu as a spare car. At that time, Novas had been my daily drivers for many years. If a part broke that was on order or a weekend project ran over a day or two, I would borrow the Malibu. Now this thing was a V6 powered slug but it drove really well. I was always amazed at how much better the driving feel was on a curvy road compared to my third gen. (BTW, this was at 45 mph. I've never been one to drive someone else's car hard without their express permission to do so.) Eventually I learned that GM had changed the suspension geometry on the newer cars. Years later, I found that the aftermarket tubular upper A-arms could give an earlier third gen the same suspension geometry. I added a set of Global West upper arms on my car and got a better driving, better handling car at any speed. (At slow speeds, it is remonicent of the Malibu.) Not sure what your goal is, but these are the real key to building a true corner carver from a third gen. The 1 1/8" solid swaybar was just about worthless until I added the new A-arms.

A few years back, I got caught up in the idea that I needed a quicker ratio steering box. After a little thought, I remembered that the '69 Z28 had a quick ratio steering box and shared the same frame as a third gen X-body. So I put one on order. It bolted right up and I was feeling pretty smug that I thought of such cool and simple swap. Then I drove the car. Since I had been driving Novas for many years at that point, it was very awkward trying to drive around curves at speed. On a right turn, I found myself tugging the steering wheel back to the left in a rhythmic fashion. But it didn't stop there, U-turns suddenly required three lanes. (Much larger turning radius. The front spindle would not make it to the stops on the lower A-arms.) About two weeks of this was all I could stand. I ordered a reman OE steering box. This took the car back to being a comfortable driver again. Later, I learned that the '69 Z28 used a different length pitman arm and idler arm than a third gen. I still have that '69 Z28 steering box on a shelf, It's not going back on.

This may be helpful on this subject. Years ago, my parents had a '80 Malibu as a spare car. At that time, Novas had been my daily drivers for many years. If a part broke that was on order or a weekend project ran over a day or two, I would borrow the Malibu. Now this thing was a V6 powered slug but it drove really well. I was always amazed at how much better the driving feel was on a curvy road compared to my third gen. (BTW, this was at 45 mph. I've never been one to drive someone else's car hard without their express permission to do so.) Eventually I learned that GM had changed the suspension geometry on the newer cars. Years later, I found that the aftermarket tubular upper A-arms could give an earlier third gen the same suspension geometry. I added a set of Global West upper arms on my car and got a better driving, better handling car at any speed. (At slow speeds, it is remonicent of the Malibu.) Not sure what your goal is, but these are the real key to building a true corner carver from a third gen. The 1 1/8" solid swaybar was just about worthless until I added the new A-arms.

So that was just the uppers? I've been thinking of getting them, but I can't justify spending over $1000 on uppers and lowers when I don't want to keep the stock front end. Also, do they (uppers) give you more negative camber with the stock alignment settings? Or do you have to like "adjust" the camber in to get the extra? I'm seriously considering just getting the uppers and that would really be nice if they already had it made in them so you could keep the stock alignment settings.

Matt

Hey Joe, I have a s-10 manual box on the regal and I know it is a direct bolt on. I have also started on my Nephew's 72 and I have changed it over to manual steering from power. I used a box off of a 66-69 chevelle and I had to change the pitman arm from 1 off of a 68-72 nova and It was a direct bolt on then. Hope this helps Also the Manual box off of the chevelle looks alot like the s-10 except for the bolt pattern.
Make sure your pitman arm is for a manual box the power steering pitman arm has a bigger hole for the bigger shaft coming out of the power steering box.

I always wanted one of these Flaming River aluminum pieces until I read not to use on wheelstanders! Dammit!

This kit is designed for the 1967-1969 Camaro's, 1968-1974 Nova's, 1967-1968 Firebird's, and GMC Syclone/Typhoon. Compact steering box weighs only 12 lbs. Reduces front end weight and improves header clearance. Performance Steering Box and Ball Socket Pitman is included in this kit. Adapter is recommended for installation FR1798-100, FR1798-148 (sold separately)


IMPORTANT: Not Recommended for Vehicles over 3,000 lbs. Not for use in vehicles that are subjected to wheel stands. Not for CIRCLE TRACK racing and use in any of these ways will void all warranties!
http://www.fastpts.com/hazel-doc/frballsocket.jpg

Monty Bogan used one of those light weight gearboxes in his T/S 68 Camaro. It stands on the bumper like yours does Bowtie0069 and he had no trouble with it. Not sure if it was a Falming Rivers though but it was bad pricey from what I recall. I'll try to find out if I remember. RM

So that was just the uppers? I've been thinking of getting them, but I can't justify spending over $1000 on uppers and lowers when I don't want to keep the stock front end. Also, do they (uppers) give you more negative camber with the stock alignment settings? Or do you have to like "adjust" the camber in to get the extra? I'm seriously considering just getting the uppers and that would really be nice if they already had it made in them so you could keep the stock alignment settings.

Matt

The upper A-arms move the upper ball joint toward the rear of the car. It effectively gives you the same results as the Guldtrand Mod without the fabrication.

Per Global West: Built in 6 degree's of positive caster provides straight line stability. Caster also improves cornering ability.

http://www.globalwest.net/Camaro%20and%20Firebird%201967%20through%201981%20 suspension%20parts.htm

New alignment specs are provided with the new upper A-arms. Global West told me that their lower arms had no effect on alignment. The real advantage to tubular lower arms seems to be when you are adding coil-overs.

Some where between 75-80 Gm used the so called mid size power steering box on some Malibus its a bolt in fit uses the manal pitman arm and rag joint it also will take the stock p.s. lines.

The upper A-arms move the upper ball joint toward the rear of the car. It effectively gives you the same results as the Guldtrand Mod without the fabrication.


http://www.globalwest.net/Camaro%20and%20Firebird%201967%20through%201981%20 suspension%20parts.htm

New alignment specs are provided with the new upper A-arms. Global West told me that their lower arms had no effect on alignment. The real advantage to tubular lower arms seems to be when you are adding coil-overs.

Sweet, so I can save money and just get the uppers. Exactly what I wanted to hear. :D

Matt