What is meant by N44 versus Quick ratio

[jk1969z28]

So I've been looking all over the place and like the Eagles sang "the more I know the less I understand".  From what I've researched, the 1969 Z/28 came standard with "quick ratio" and from what I've learned that meant a longer pitman arm and shorter steering arms, but I don't think that means N44.  I am finally coming down the home stretch of restoring my 1969 Z/28, but years ago I knew I would be rebuilding my manual steering box.  So I went on eBay and I wanted the "quick ratio" worm gear, figuring that what was meant.  So after looking I found a part 5678504, bought it and set it aside. 

So fast forward and its time to rebuild my box, really not that hard, but then I was reading on this site that the quick ratio with the special worm gear is not fun to drive, so I got a "normal" worm gear and rebuilt the box with it.  However I still did not understand what was meant by N44.  So here is what I'm thinking, and please let me know if I'm wrong or since this site has been up for a long time I'm just not seeing it, I've searched this site for the aforementioned part number with no hits that is why I thought I would do some research.  Quick ratio was standard on the Z/28 but if you wanted the special gear, part 5678504 that what was meant by N44, at least that is what I'm thinking and it probably didn't get a "special" manual steering box.  I've attached pictures of the part and the mention of this part in the parts manual, the gearing is courser versus the "standard worm gear", I held them side by side, sorry I didn't think to take a picture at the time. 

There is no mention of N44 in the AIM, N40 means power steering.  In Jerry MacNeish's book, and I know its a small sample size, but the only window sticker mentioning N44 is on page 112 and its not a Z/28 but a COPO with manual steering, no N40 option.  The one highly optioned Z/28 on page 102 has the N40 power steering option, but no mention of "quick ratio" probably because it was standard on the Z meaning it got the longer pitman and shorter steering arms.  So my conclusion, and I'm sure I'm wrong, but here it goes, N44 meant you got a steering box with worm gear 5678504, does that include the longer pitman and shorter steering arms, probably but not sure.  Thoughts are more than welcome!!!

Regards,
Jerry K.

[adjudimo]

Have you visited pozziracing.com and looked at his info on Camaro steering linkage? It has tremendous info and pictures including info about N44.

[jk1969z28]

I've looked at that site, lots and lots of information. But I never see any discussion about part 5678504 anywhere, not just that site, unless that number changed as the years went by. I think what I'm trying to distinguish is does Quick ratio mean RPO N44?  Attached is another picture of the part I have, and what I think makes N44 different from Quick ratio.  Also I came across a PDF from GM heritage with all the RPO codes and how they listed them -- N44 Steering, special - not described as quick ratio.  Maybe I'm over thinking it, but I guess really what I'd like to know is if I have a 1969 Z/28 does my car have the RPO N44 by default, and really I don't think so, I have quick ratio but not N44.  If I install that gear then I would have an RPO N44 option.

Jerry K.

[adjudimo]

I've been trying to search and help you but all I found was what you already know. N44 69 Z's pitman arm p/n 3953225 has forging #3953227 but info also states that manual steering boxes used different sector gears inside the gear housing in addition to different length pitman and steering arms. The general consensus is that most had a long pitman and short outward at 5.25 inches. Doing a search even in GM archives, I have not found part number 5678504 other than it simply stating 68/69 Z special steering. Sorry I can't be of more help. Maybe send David Pozzi a PM to see if he could elaborate. That's what I would try.

[bertfam]

Jerry, N44 is known as a few things. From the factory it was called Special Steering, but over the years it's also been known as Fast Ratio Steering and Quick Ratio Steering. N44 was included with the Z28 so it's not listed on the dealer order form or the window sticker. (Note that REQUIRED options are listed but not INCLUDED options.)

If you look at the Option Index (Sheet A2) page in the AIM, you'll see an asterisk next to N44. This indicates that this option installed the same way as the standard steering, therefore there was no need to duplicate drawings.

Ed

[ZLP955]

N44 was included with the Z28 so it's not listed on the dealer order form or the window sticker. (Note that REQUIRED options are listed but not INCLUDED options.)

Ed that seems to be conflicting with the 'steering' section of the CRG Chassis page, which says:

A special fast-ratio manual steering gear was used for Z28's with RPO N44. The manual Z28 with N44 used with the same longer pitman arm and shorter steering arm combination as listed above - the steering box is different. Z28's with N44 are very uncommon (and not fun to drive).

[bertfam]

Ok, I may have worded it wrong. Z28 included "Quick Ratio Steering" and apparently, the N44 was "Special Steering, Quick Radio" so I'm assuming a Z28 with N44 was even quicker??

1967 and 1968 was fairly simple, but 1969 was a mess!

Bill is the resident expert on the Z28 steering, especially the 1969, so I'll have to defer to him.

I DO know that my car came with N40 and N44 and is just over 2 turns lock to lock! It took a LOT of time for me to get used to it! You barely move the steering wheel and you're in the next lane!

Ed

[70z28lt1]

Not sure if you have access to the "Chassis and Service Overhaul Manual" for 1969, but the 1970 version lists the different steering box ratios along with the overall steering ratios.  If the 1969 version is the same, you can maybe tell at least what the difference is for a Z28 and and N44 non-Z28 and see if they are similar.  Th 1970 doesn't list the specific option codes, bit it does list the box ratios for standard and Z28 and the power steering ratios.  A little deduction and maybe you can come up with the answers.

[jk1969z28]

To add some more information to the discussion.  I knew I was going to have to replace my worm gear because my original one was bent, yes this thing was damaged on the driver's side, but worth saving the car, because it had the original 302 and M21!! So I found another subframe and it had a manual box, I took the worm gear from it and rebuilt my original box.  Luck would have it I kept the factory gear and was able to find it, I've attached photos of it next to the 5678504 part, ok I might be becoming a hoarder   It's easy to see the difference. So that is why I question the RPO N44 as being part of the Z/28 package, I have the original Pitman arm, 227, need to get the shorter steering arms and taking into account my factory worm gear thus making up the "quick ratio" steering.  Though now I'm thinking I might want to put the 5678504 gear in, sounds extremely rare and its an NOS piece. Done Google searches on that part and just getting info on it is sparse much less seeing another one, though like I've said the part might be out there but under another number.  Any others with info, I welcome any and all feedback.

Regards,
Jerry K.

[HOT3O2]

Is there a way to tell if your car came with the N44 option just by looking at the steering box?

[jk1969z28]

Hi Rick, Not that I am aware of and have never seen any information about that, if others know and can advise, I will certainly look.  The gear on the bottom in my picture is the gear that came with the car.  And the gear in it now is exactly the same as that one.

[camaronut]

The SS350 is the same as the z28 in terms of the N44 option.....as I have been reading...

I see the same 227 cast pitman arm for the manual and power steering...are they both the same used in both applications?

I thought there was some kind of difference between the two....

[william]

The forgings are the same but machined differently for manual and power steering. Camaro SS did not include N44 steering.

Had to dig a bit to sort this out but I found it in the special '68 Z/28 sales brochure:

"Fast [21.4:1] steering included; extra-fast [17.9:1 - RPO N44 - $15.80] available." The standard manual ratio is 24.8:1.

The January 1970 Car Life did a feature on the Penske Camaros and commented on the 17.9 box:

"The optional 17.9 steering [RPO N44] is used and with the big tires it is horrendously stiff."

[camaronut]

The forgings are the same but machined differently for manual and power steering. Camaro SS did not include N44 steering.

Had to dig a bit to sort this out but I found it in the special '68 Z/28 sales brochure:

"Fast [21.4:1] steering included; extra-fast [17.9:1 - RPO N44 - $15.80] available." The standard manual ratio is 24.8:1.

The January 1970 Car Life did a feature on the Penske Camaros and commented on the 17.9 box:

"The optional 17.9 steering [RPO N44] is used and with the big tires it is horrendously stiff."

William, not trying to argue, but this is what I found on this site's Chassis section: (also stated in JMN's Book),

69 Power Steering
All 69's used the same variable ratio power steering gearbox with approximately 2 1/3 turns lock to lock. Z28, L78, and COPO cars had a deep groove pulley on the power steering pump.
- Non-Z28 and non-SS cars with power steering used a 5.25" pitman arm (forging # 3953219) and the longer steering arms (3954873 RH and 3954874 LH).
- Z28, SS, and RPO N44 had a faster overall ratio by using a longer 5.8" pitman arm (forging # 3953227) combined with shorter steering arms (3954875 LH and 3954876 RH).

The 69 idler arm was the same as the 68, 3917581, 5.25" long.

The drag link (a.k.a. center link) for 69 power steering system is 1.125" in diameter, much larger in diameter than the .95" drag link used for manual steering.

This is where I based my question on......just trying to get some clarity on this.....

My 69 SS350 has the shorter steering arms, but the previous owner switched out the steering box long ago, which has the 5.25" attached.  So I'm thinking I should get the correct pitman arm...?

[jk1969z28]

I've added some photos of the box itself and the pitman arm.  If someone can denote a RPO N44 based on the box, let me (us) know, but I don't think it is determined by the box, at least not on mine. Though if you ordered N44 maybe they have a box which has a mark or stamp that indicated it, but you would think that information would have surfaced after all these years.  Note the date stamp, car is a late June car and date stamp is 160 with the 9 indicating 1969.  Pitman arm is the longer 227, correct for the 1969 Z/28. 

So far I'm starting to think my original thought is correct (so far  ), N44 is based on the gearing within the box giving a fast(er) turn ratio when coupled with the 227 pitman and shorter steering arms but not a part of the RPO Z28 package.  But that is what makes this hobby fun and interesting, even 50 years on there are riddles that need answers.