Steering linkage w/ headers
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Steering linkage w/ headers Have a 2000 camaro with kooks 1 3/4 headers currently on. I adj the linkage as much and I could and it was still rubbing the #1 primary a tad so I undid the 3 bolts holding the steering column to the firewall and was able to move it probably 1/8" while still being able to install the 2 top bolts back and not doing any filing to the bracket. This allowed me to achieve probably about 2mm clearance from the fat part of the linage after the first joint. Is there a better way to gain more clearance? Is there an aftermarket linkage that doesn't have that fat section at the swivel joints? I know I can take a dremel to the bracket and it will allow me to move the column more but I'm trying to avoid doing that. I am about to put a 434 ls7 in the car which I have a set of kooks 2" to go with it so I need atleast another 1/4" clearance
The first thing I'd do is ensure you don't have a LT1 rack. I state this as my friend learned this the hard way a couple of weeks ago during an install. See here (top - LT1; bottom - LS1):
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This seems likely, Kooks are know for there quality control and fit and finish.
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Ive read of many people having this exact problem with their kooks though? I know i can take a file to the steering column mount and probably get more clearance on the primary, just wondering if there was other options. i thought about contacting a company about a custom one that is slightly longer pulling it away from the primary
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I doubt it will make much of a difference but i am running original motor mounts, 180k miles.... I know new ones will raise it up a bit but i would think it wouldnt really give me any more clearance
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From: Marengo, Ia
The LT1 rack bolts in perfectly; however, it's the angle of the steering shaft that messes everything up. There should be PLENTY of clearance between the steering shaft and primaries. You should install the rack for RPO "FE4"
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so i examined my rack and i think you ay be right about the wrong rack... It was a rebuilt one i got from orielys . Based off the pic u shower i think i have the wrong one. the i dont know the word for it but circular bulge at the bottom of the part of the rack that attached to the linkage faces exactly forwards while when i look at the pic u posted it seems the right one does not?
93-97 LT1 cars; perhaps V6 as well. Y87 was a performance option for V6 cars that gave them V8 steering (among other things), so that may have also included LS1 steering rack by that point.
Anyway, enough of confusing semantics
The "incorrect" rack attaches the steering shaft closer to a 90* angle which causes it to go right toward the primary (it also makes it very difficult to R&R the shaft). The correct rack angles toward the driver side.
Anyway, enough of confusing semantics
The "incorrect" rack attaches the steering shaft closer to a 90* angle which causes it to go right toward the primary (it also makes it very difficult to R&R the shaft). The correct rack angles toward the driver side.
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Min angles a little bit, but as you can see from the pics it pretty much does go straight into the #1 primary. I never noticed it was in perfect because until recently I was running manifolds and it fit just fine. I'm honestly surprised I was able to get it to work with these headers if it's the wrong rack, although it did take a significant amount of adjusting