[nmoreilly]

Bought the Ames unit for the 66 project. Understand that although much better feel and quickness there's a pretty reduced turning radius. Just wondering if anyone has some practical experience and how big the difference is

Thanks in advance

Noel

[chrisp]

If you have a box that is internal limited by stops & does not have full travel your turnaround radius will be terrible & dangerous @ high speeds as it is too sensitive . Not all close ratio boxes are built the same.

[nmoreilly]

Originally Posted by chrisp

If you have a box that is internal limited by stops & does not have full travel your turnaround radius will be terrible & dangerous @ high speeds as it is too sensitive . Not all close ratio boxes are built the same.

Thanks for he comment. I spoke with Ames and amongst the notes they have on the 121C box are "ACCORDING TO LARES THE INTERNAL STOPS ARE SET THE SAME AS FACTORY SO THE TURNING RADIUS FOR A-BODY CARS IS THE SAME B-BODY CARS WOULD END UP WITH LARGER THAN FACTORY TURNING RADIUS. 10:1 RATIO. "

So seems like this box should be OK. These notes do not appear in the catalog or the internet descriptions

[gtospieg]

I had one of these boxes...not dangerous at all just a wider turning radius. The only time it was really noticeable was if you wanted to do a 3 point turn or some other tight turning maneuver you end up having to do more backing up and turning. It never was noticeable in day to day driving.... I called one of the steering box rebuilders(when I discovered this problem) and they told me those stops are not adjustable so I'm not sure about the accuracy of the info you were given.

[nmoreilly]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

I had one of these boxes...not dangerous at all just a wider turning radius. The only time it was really noticeable was if you wanted to do a 3 point turn or some other tight turning maneuver you end up having to do more backing up and turning. It never was noticeable in day to day driving.... I called one of the steering box rebuilders(when I discovered this problem) and they told me those stops are not adjustable so I'm not sure about the accuracy of the info you were given.

Good to know thanks

[trshman]

Noel,
I've got the S121 steering box. I don't remember the IROC one being available at the time (about 3 years ago). If it had I might have ordered it. I also remember mine being rated at 2.9 turns lock to lock. Not important but thought I'd mention it. Bottom line for me- it's worth the money which is how I evaluate things that I do or buy. I'm an old biker and for me driving is about the curves. Living in east Tennessee we've got plenty of them around here and driving through these hills is DEFINITELY more fun with a close ratio box. Having all PST front end plus all Hotchkiss equipment front and rear and KYB shocks all around makes for the majority of the improvement in handling, but that close ratio box lets me enjoy it. Hope this helps you.
Bob

[nmoreilly]

Originally Posted by trshman

Noel,
I've got the S121 steering box. I don't remember the IROC one being available at the time (about 3 years ago). If it had I might have ordered it. I also remember mine being rated at 2.9 turns lock to lock. Not important but thought I'd mention it. Bottom line for me- it's worth the money which is how I evaluate things that I do or buy. I'm an old biker and for me driving is about the curves. Living in east Tennessee we've got plenty of them around here and driving through these hills is DEFINITELY more fun with a close ratio box. Having all PST front end plus all Hotchkiss equipment front and rear and KYB shocks all around makes for the majority of the improvement in handling, but that close ratio box lets me enjoy it. Hope this helps you.
Bob

Thanks Bob

FWIW – I confirmed with Ames that that 121C Box is the Lares 972 box. Ames told me they sold 28 last year for A Body cars and Lares told me that sell quite a few of them for A Body cars and have received no complaints related to turning circle