What's going on guys. I am new to the forum and hobby and finally got my chance to build my dream car. What kind of steering are you guys using on your 1st gens, rack & pinion or steering box? Also if you it is a steering box any recommended types/brands would be appreciated. 69 Camaro

 

Greetings, and welcome aboard! I’m a fan of 1st gen Camaros, as you can see from my user name. Your ‘69 looks right fine, with plenty of chances to make decisions.

So, these forums provide a great mix of fact and opinion, but really, your query is slanted toward the "opinion" side of life. So, here’s what I think: whatever you choose is correct, as long as it steers the car safely 100% of the time that you make good decisions. Just remember that no steering will do any good when you make bad decisions. But it’s your toy, to do with as you wish. There is no correct way to restore your car, as long as your decisions make for a safe sled.

We did replace my steering box, which had grown old and sloppy. We went with a fully rebuilt box from Red Head. I think the only thing original is the case of the steering box.

I went through a substantial decision-making process when deciding to bring my ’68 back to life, which you can read about in the projects section if you feel like it. I had purchased my car in either late ’83 or early ’84; can’t get any closer with the documents I still have, and the state of my memory, but I then drove it as my every-day car for five or six years. I loved every minute of that time, and it was unencumbered with ownership-based “improvements”. Actually, it had been taken in the other direction, due to a major crash that pre-dated my ownership. I am comfortable with realizing that this is NOT a Ferrari, or even a 2022 Corvette. It is a very fundamental car, but very much in touch with your feelings, if you accept it is a primitive, brutal, crude fun-mobile. So, my decision was to NOT modernize it. I already own a modern car that is reasonably quick and filled with modern enhancements that did not exist in 1968 or 1969. So, personally, I say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And if it is broke, just replace it with the way it was born. Mostly. Where there are enhancements on my car, they were mostly meant to make it safer, not faster. Things like LED lights throughout, for instance. In any case, please let us know how it goes, maybe in the 1st gen projects forum.

 

What do you want out of the car? Do you plan on racing it? will it just be a cruiser? Every project should have some kind of budget. How important is steering compared to other things that could effect the project and what you want more then Steering?

 

Thx for the response (1st Gen / Gorn) and I will definitely check out your projects forum to get some pointers. Thx for the welcome, excited on this new adventure!!!! As for what I would like to do with the car I basically want it to be cruiser with at least around 500 HP with a camshaft & valve package upgrade, long tube headers, etc. keeping it simple (naturally aspirated). I will using a 2019 LT1 from a Camaro SS.

 

Since you are going with a modern feel and spending the money on the LT1 A rack would make sense. There are a lot of kits out there that do not require fab work.