69 Camaro Fast Ratio Manual Steering Box

[302Z]

Sir, the way I understand it, is that N44 manual steering came with short steering arms, long pitman arm, and a quicker ratio manual steering box. I've seen posted that maybe only about 1,500 production cars ordered. I may be wrong, but others have posted it does exist. Any leads or additional information appreciated! Thanks... Bob

[Lynn]

I have never seen one; but the CRG article leads me to believe that unicorn DOES exist.

[LT1vette]

There are a few Saginaw boxes that would work if it does not need to be numbers matching. Only the well informed would know the difference.

1990+ Jeep Grand Cherokee has a fast ratio and so do the 94-96 Impala SS cars, should bolt right in.
I'm not a "Camaro guy", but I had a few C3's. The box in the C3 is the same as above so I think the camaro box will be the same as a C3...

[William]

Originally Posted by 302Z

Sir, the way I understand it, is that N44 manual steering came with short steering arms, long pitman arm, and a quicker ratio manual steering box. I've seen posted that maybe only about 1,500 production cars ordered. I may be wrong, but others have posted it does exist. Any leads or additional information appreciated! Thanks... Bob

Only 2,161 Camaros were built with optional N44 special steering equipment. What N44 means is an overall steering ratio faster than standard equipment for the application, not a specific ratio.

The standard Z/28 manual steering ratio was 24.8:1 [gear] 21.4:1 [overall]. 3.5 turns L-L. Standard production steering gear, 5.75” pitman arm, short steering arms.

N44 ordered on a manual steering Z/28: 20:1 [gear] 17.9:1 [overall]. 2.9 turns L-L. Optional steering gear, 5.75” pitman arm, short steering arms.

The January 1970 Car Life had an excellent tech article about the 1969 Penske T/A Camaros. There was a comment about steering:

"The optional quick 17:1 steering [RPO N44] is used, and with the big tires it is horrendously stiff."

Fairly certain one of the Z/28s I owned back in the day was one of the 365 or so built with N44. Very unpleasant to drive, near impossible to park.

[Lynn]

Agree with everything William said. My Z is getting less and less fun to drive the older I get. I have a complete GM PS setup for it, and will probably install it this winter. And I DON'T even have the N44!!!

What I find funny is this: "....with the big tires it is horrendously stiff."

I have an E70 15 tire sitting in my garage right now, still in the wrapper. Every time I walk by, I think: man, by modern standards this looks almost like a motorcycle tire.

I get it; in 1969 70 series was "big".

[William]

What they meant by 'big tires' were racing tires used in competition.

In the famous Car and Driver Z/28 v. Mustang test, T/A competitor Sam Posey was chosen to drive both cars. The Z/28 had power steering; the Mustang did not. He greatly preferred power steering; Penske tried it for a few races but removed it due to durability issues.

The test was in the July 1968 issue. Interesting, the Mustang arrived with F60 x 15 Goodyear tires on 7" wheels.

[Lynn]

I have that magazine. One of the best test articles of all time. I still get it out and read it every few years. The Mustang was a "tunnel port" 302 that never made it into production.

[302Z]

Thanks Gentlemen, for the additional information. I too am getting old and if I ever find one might wish I hadn't!! I'm going to keep looking though. Thanks again...