Hello,

I am looking at add power steering to my 69 Firebird and was wondering what I all need. I have read about using a later model camaro steering setup will that work? I know I will need the pump and box. Will the hoses and pitman arm work as well? Any help would be great.

thanks,

Chris

I believe the pitman arm is different, don't have the info on hand at present. You will also need the pump brackets and hoses, which would be new if you are adding PS as you say.

Also, pully and belts may be required as I am not sure what you have, (its on a seperate belt)

The later Camaro gears need adapters for the hoses if I'm not mistaken. You'll also need the mount for the PS pump, and you may have to change the pulleys.

I thought you only needed the adapter for hoses if you were going to swap out the power steering box. On a firebird that currently has power steering. I could be wrong though

I know I need the brackets to mount the pump and my crank already has a two belt pulley. I guess my main concerns is the hoses and pitman arm. I believe the box is a direct swap for my manual pump now.

I have a ~77 Transam box with my original pump and hoses. Everything fit except the pitman arm, which I swapped from my original box.

There's a dual pulley at the top on the waterpump as well.

yes I also have a dual pulley on the water pump. Does anyone know if the steering box will bolt in without modifications. Also if I need a new pitman arm. If so will one off of a 69 power steering unit work or the one off of my manual box will work.

2nd and 3rd Gen F-body power steering boxes fit the subframe. The issue is that later model boxes (post about 1980) have metric hose fitings.

You will be looking for a "fast ratio" box. There is a lot of info on this subject on the Team Camaro website. I believe there is a sticky thread about putting 3rd Gen boxes into 1st Gen F-bodies.

Steering Upgrade

Here's the one I went by, including the adapter kit from Lee..

I went with the same upgrade & Lee adapters. I had a problem with the adapters leaking & ended up buying some adapters from Napa auto parts. I highly recommend the upgrade. If you want to go a step further you could have Lee rebuild the the stock steering box to today's modern standards and have a better feel with the steering. This upgrade does cost a bit more but allows all the connections remain stock.

Ok guys I finally have time to start on my project again. So I have access to a 77 Camaro with power steering. Can I take the power steering pump, box, hoses and transplant them into my Firebird. Right now I have manual steering. Will I need a new coupler and will my pitman arm work?

thanks

I swapped my complete 69 steering with new Moog 69 camaro components, which are cheaper and easy to get. I did upgrade the box to a 92 IROC box which bolts right in. I made custom hoses with the high pressure aeroquip hose and fittings, which worked great. A little expensive though.

Most NAPA's can make hoses for you. You could get a hose made that is the stock pump fittings on one side and the metric on the other end of the hose. The last time I had a hose made for something the cost was really reasonable. Just take your old hose with you and they can make the new one a similar length so when you look under the hood the installation is clean and stock looking. If I recall right the last hose I had made for my truck was only like 25 - 30 dollars.