gear box

[10secvega]

Anyone know what ratio the stock Cosworth manual gearbox is?Thinking about getting a quiker ratio if there is one?

[heinz057]

how many turns do you have loc to loc

[hammerdown7]

I don't know for sure what the ratio's are, the stock Cosworth box was 4 turns lock to lock, the fast ratio box was a dealer only option (not available on a factory order) and it could also be purchased over the counter. I think the fast ratio box was 16:1, I do know it was approx. 2.8 turns lock to lock, part number 7819935. I had one on my autocross car and the effort was so high with racing rubber I could not turn the wheel fast enough to make tight autocross turns although it was fine on the street.

Dick

[10secvega]

I think i found it stock is 20 to 1,quik is 16 to 1.

[cosvega76]

I have a Flaming River aluminum 16:1 small Vega gearbox out of my Vega at home. I've since gone to a 12:1 Monte Carlo SS power gearbox.

Chuck

[spyder_xlch]

Did the Monte box swap right in?

[cosvega76]

Well...yes. It bolted right up to the chassis. I needed to change the u-joint on the end of the steering shaft from the column for the proper spline. I used the proper Monza power steering pitman arm and center link. But the real fun was adding a pump. On this thread are photos and a description of what I used:

http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?t=21893

It was definitely worth the effort, however. The steering is very quick compared to the stock manual.

Chuck

[spyder_xlch]

Are you saying on a power steering car to swap in a Monte SS box all you have to do is change the u-joint?

[10secvega]

I have a Flaming River aluminum 16:1 small Vega gearbox out of my Vega at home. I've since gone to a 12:1 Monte Carlo SS power gearbox.

Chuck

Did you want to sell that Flaming river?

[cosvega76]

PM sent.

Chuck

[76Nomad]

What year Monte is that gearbox from? Do you happen to have a part number?

[cosvega76]

Sorry, no part number, but it's out of a 1985 Monte SS. There should be a similar one in an IROC Z28 Camaro, too, I believe.

Chuck

[SunbirdMan]

Check out this link. Maybe you can get some clues from it. The alpha codes, I believe, are like an inked stamped number on the front round part of the gearbox. They are prone to disappear over the years.

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/shea_3.html

[stage169]

Count your steering wheel turns lock to lock. Multiply that by 360. Then divide that by the number of degrees your pitman arm travels lock to lock (use a cheap protractor). The number you get :1 is your steering box ratio.

On my older Buick they only came with 17.5:1 or 15:1. I didn't know so I did the above and got 14.6:1. I measured my pitman arm sweep at 80deg and if I would of used 78 the ratio would of been 15:1. I don't know for sure but if the pitman arm sweep is identical then I figured the 17.5:1 box would take around 3.875 steering wheel turns lock to lock.

Could help if you are planning on changing. Brian