Projects Steering vega box vs unisteer in a model A

I have a 29 model full fender SBC and it is down to the frame to the frame,it need a new steering box. I am looking at options, vega box ,unisteer, or what else have you used. Thanks

 

I've used several early F-1 boxes & Vega boxes and one unisteer,to be honest I didn't care for the unisteer. HRP

 

Not my car, but one I found/bought for a buyer, had a unisteer. Worked well but too slow of a ratio for the "new 32" that it was in. I didn't care for it.

 

Personally I would use a Vega. And I do mean either an OEM used box in good shape if you can find one, or one made by Borgeson on the original tooling and machinery.
I would not walk across the street for a free knock-off Vega. As always price is not everything.

 

I had a after market vega box in my roadster pick up. It gave
me lots of trouble, both in driving and keeping it in adjustment.
I finally went with the mavel unit. It was like night and day.
I can steer with one finger, its that light. Its a great unit. Incidentally
my roadster is full fendered and runs a 401 buick nailhead with
turbo 400 trans with a switch pitch.

 

I assume you mean unisteer by Mavel.

 

Put a Unisteer in my '31 and liked it enough to be putting one in my '32.

 

SD
I paid the premium for the ?Borgeson version, have heard the offshore versions are a problem.
BTW, how's that alloy motor coming along?

 

The Alloy motor I picked up from the guy building it had some thing not right. I took it to a guy I used to race sprint cars with and he had done some rodeck so he is going to verify what I found. He has a test run stand. I will let you know as soon as it is running.Your car is a 32 , mine is a 29 ,what oil pan and headers are you running? I am trying to get the steering and headers figured out so I can go on with the frame and put the crossmember in and clear the pedals. All info would be of help

 

I think it depends.

I know of Unisteer replacements for absolutely fucked Vega boxes that the owners are orgasmic over. But they might have been just as pleased with a new Vega?? Face it, anything would have been an improvement over what they had!

I replaced a new, good Vega box with a Unisteer to just get the quicker ratio - there were other reasons why I couldn't achieve this with a Vega box. I'm orgasmic too! But that's just that I got steering that feels 'right' rather than slow and wrong.

I hear tales of reduced turning circle and whilst I accept there might be a little, it's not dramatic and the benefits swamp the negatives.

Zero bumps steer? No way (but I'm being a bit harsh)! In an occasional major droop situation (as might be experienced on LA freeways at 80mph) there's major deviation, but it's really just a wobble in an extreme situation, which is perhaps rare(?) and quite manageable. 99.999% of the tine it's absolutely wonderful!

I'd happily use another Unisteer. But the bracket sucks in a new build - I'd work something better in than the clearly replacement arrangement. But in my current (new) build I'm using a quick ratio Vega box, so go figure!

Chris

 

Does your oil pan have a kickout on the bottom. Mine is a moroso for a stroker SBC.

 

I’ve used several Vega Hybrid boxes.
No real strength to them. Short longevity.
I have a 32 Roadster with a Unisteer. Performs flawlessly.
Have 7,000 miles on it now. Was a good choice.


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This.

 

So side steer is not an option?

 

As in gear box location yes if it'll clear everything I got going on

Sent from my SM-G550T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

check with HAMBer @NealinCA , he does some really nice rebuilds of F1 / F100 boxes, beautiful workmanship.

There are other choices, reversed Corvair boxes, Borgeson has some Saginaw side steer boxes, check out their catalog here: http://borgeson.com/Images/100th_Catalog.pdf

 

Also mustang box

 

I guess I am kinda dumb but what is unisteer?

 

And bolts up to where Vega box bolts up and it's kind of a one-way steering rack

Sent from my SM-G550T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I have mustang in my Roadster. It is great. 40K miles without a hiccup. AND you don't need a Panard bar to keep everything aligned.

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/unisteer-rack-pinion.200953/


Here is thread with a few pics

 

Hmmmm..... I see.

Thanks

 

Why use a Unisteer......is the Vega too traditional?

 

The aftermarket Vega type box is very poor quality. The really good aftermarket
Box is VERY expensive.

 

Unisteer @ $299 from Speedway vs Borgeson's good Vega box @ $335 not really a big price difference for something that works without compromise and looks like it belongs on an old car.

 

Never drove a unisteer in an old rod. Did drive one in a '55 Chevy and it seemed a little sluggish to me.

Vega boxes are good enough for a light car and are cheap enough new for a car that is getting rebuilt. The feel good and work real well for a cross steer. For a side steer I would go with an F-1 or first gen F100 box, easy and work well.

For a full on '60s build I would look for a 'vair box. I think they can be had new also. I would not use the vega or the 'vair box in a heavy car.

 

I'm running a F-1. Works fine

 

I don’t know beaner, I think the Corvair is kind of an odd duck. The ears on the casting don’t lend themselves to a good looking mount and the sector shaft is short, that means it would need to mount on top, or worse, bottom of the frame for a side steer application.
Cross steer could work but a Borgeson Vega is considerably cheaper, compared to the only Corvair clone I would trust and that is the Flaming River Corvair box at $400+.

 

Guess time is getting away from me, the ;last time I looked at a 'vair box it was a 150 dollar item new in the box. They were a popular item in the '60s ( some reversed for side steer) and seemed to mount well enough for the era.

 

Yeah, I get it, time slips away. My wife will often tell me it’s not 1980 any longer when I say what I used to pay for something.
One of the worst things the new age has brought us is the ease of making a knock-off, whether it is a steering box, brake components, a distributor or whatever. To the original poster, whichever steering box you go with buy quality, don’t shop price.