Steering ratio doubler advice.
Thanks for posting this. I had read your post about having a 16:1 box with larger tires in a different thread and I understand the amount of effort that would require. I plan on using a Toyota Prius EPAS unit. I haven't had time to make the parts and modifications to my steering column yet.
I'll read the thread you linked to get more information about running the doubler. I would assume that if Hotchkiss is successfully using a doubler, it's not a terrible idea. Just a different way of getting to 12:1 like the T/A cars that were mentioned.
Exactly, just a way to get the 12:1 ratio without having to deal with the longer pitman arm and the header and oil pan clearance issues that those bring. Especially on an A-body.
I really like the 16:1 manual box, even with the 275's up front. Heck I even have a tuff steering wheel on it which is a smaller diameter. It's fine at anything above 20 mph or so. It gets pretty heavy in parking lots, and I expect it will be a lot for tight AutoX courses. The EPAS is the best of both worlds.
12:1 isn't super crazy either, my Austin Healey 100 had 12.6:1 manual steering and it was fine on the street, I daily drove that for a few years without any issues from the steering ratio being too fast. It wasn't heavy either, but that's a 2,000 lb car with narrower tires. But it wasn't too twitchy at all, and I'm sure it didn't have anywhere near the caster I run on my Duster either.
As for where to put the quickener, I'm not sure it really matters. It might be under a little bit less load if it were between the EPAS and the steering wheel? It would depend on how the EPAS loads the steering shaft. Realistically I think you'll have to put it wherever it actually fits.
Yes, years ago I manual steering swapped a '73 Scamp with a 318. I used 24:1 and the column from a Duster. The Scamp drove fine, and I don't remember it being it being to difficult to maneuver or park.
I am upgrading the electrical system with a complete harness and charging system from a '94 Dakota, along with the Magnum 5.2 from that truck. I'm also replacing the torsion bars with much heavier rate PST bars and KYB shocks.
Looks great except for the KYB's. Those will be absolutely atrocious with 1.14" bars if that's what you've got there, I thought PST only made 1.03's. Either way the KYB's are awful. I ran them on my Challenger with 1.12" bars and when I swapped them out for Bilsteins it was like a whole new car. KYB's are hot garbage, especially for larger torsion bars.
Well, there you go.
I like the 16:1 manual steering on the street even with 275's and +6.5° of caster. But for slow autoX courses the amount of effort required will probably be too much. The EPAS, especially one with a potentiometer, would be awesome as you could adjust it. Having run the 16:1 and done a good amount of driving in my Healey on the street and for autoX with a 12.6:1 ratio I would much rather have a 12:1 or 16:1 ratio vs a 20:1, you'd always be turning the wheel.
