Steering box help!

[TBGGYouTube]

Im working on a 54 5 window 3100. Stock back frame camaro rear end and someone put a 74-77 camaro subframe on the front. I tried to see if a rack and pinion would work not happening! So what i need help with is the owner was told the steering box would hit the core support and the support would need cut to fit around it. The guy and I both dont want to do that. The guy he bought it from told him that i dont know till i get the front clip and the steering box. Has anyone had the problem and know a fix or does it not even hit?

[Kevin Mac]

I have a 48 with a 78 Trans Am clip and core support had to be cut around the steering box. I didn't do the work but I did have to change the radiator because it started leaking and had to cut the corner of the new radiator to clear also.
Mac

[mr48chev]

Unfortunately when someone cobbles one of those subframes on an AD that is what you do you cut the subframe or run a different radiator similar to what the S-10 guys do. Ugly to do but that is the price you pay. You are fighting obsolete 80's hot rod technology that should have been left in the 80's when the subframes cost 100 bucks if that and you got the whole mullet Camaro with them as a donor.

If you can fabricate pretty well you might look at a Dodge Dakota rack and see if you coul mount it The manual rack that is on the 92 Dakota parts donor I have for my crossmember and suspension swap is reasonably simple and not bulky. The photos of the crossmember show a pretty simple mount setup that shouldn't be hard to duplicate on the Camaro crossmember. Tie rod ends might take some figuring out though.

[TBGGYouTube]

What about making an adapter plate moving the gearbox in and getting a smaller pitman arm?

[dsraven]

my suggestion:
if you are gonna keep the Camaro under it install the Camaro box, hook up the steering column, slip an engine and trans in, assemble the sheet metal and cut what needs cutting to make it fit. then find a rad to fit the hole that's left. otherwise, sell what you have for a frame and start over. I think making a rack and pinion work just to say you have a rack would be more work than making the sheet metal and rad fit. plus, done a little wrong, equals poor steering geometry and possibly bump steer etc. if you wanna road race or do some other sport driving then maybe the second option is better anyway. how many guys with a 74-77 Camaro would consider some sort of sport racing without upgrading their front end to steer better? if you are just driving around for fun and you want a softer suspension with disc brakes and with a lowering effect then the clip you have is probably all you need. spend the money on something else.
not trying to offend or belittle anybody with a camaro clip, just saying start with what you need for the best end result.

[Kevin Mac]

Here is the best picture I have at the moment. The truck drives nice, I did rebuild all the bushings, ball joints etc. I also added coil over shocks and drop spindles to get the look I wanted.
Mac

[dsraven]

nice, where there's a will there's a way, my Momma always said. lol.

[TBGGYouTube]

I think i can get the 82-86 cavalier rack and pinion to work. Their is a link to them making them work on the 50's cars with behind the cradle steering. Lets find out together!