When we do get our mighty engine and drivetrain, Project Malibu Muscle will have the right suspension parts to make it go where we point it. Leaving in old parts from 1968 would invite unreliable steering problems like wandering and bumpsteering, which will require extra effort to turn (especially to park). We'd also have a steering wheel we would be ashamed to show in public. The beat up old wheel and column could not be adjusted for comfort, and certainly didn't have the cool look of our new ididit tilt column, and Grant wheel. For a modest outlay of funds, our musclecar, and yours too, can have modern steering upgrades inside and out, including a new power steering gear from Remy, and Original Parts Group's new pitman arm, centerlink, idler arm assembly, inner and outer tie rods, and Hotchkis tie rod sleeves. We're topping it off with a custom dash and a brand-new dash pad, so that everything the driver sees and puts his or her hands on looks great, and actually works. And why not? We've already covered the fundamentals by installing a great suspension and brake system from Hotchkis and Master Power Brakes (Super Chevy, March 2006), we're not about to leave any weak links with old parts. This is not a major job as far as time goes, but of course we're doing the upgrades on a car with no engine or interior. If all the parts are ready, a fairly savvy builder can spend a few hours on the weekend, and feel good about what he's accomplished, as we did. Don't lose any parts when taking the old column apart. There are two distinct pieces: the lower portion of the rod that connects to the steering box, which contains all the stock "crush" pieces, and will be re-used between the ididt column and the Remy steering gear.There are two distinct pieces: the lower portion of the rod that connects to the steering The second is the upper portion, which will be replaced by the ididit column. Remy does, however, furnish a new rag joint. The next step inside the car is disconnecting the column from the dash. In many installations (such as ours), the stock underdash pieces will be used again.The next step inside the car is disconnecting the column from the dash. In many installati Highly modified interiors and dashes might require custom steering column drops, which are available from ididit.Highly modified interiors and dashes might require custom steering column drops, which are Remove the stock cover at the firewall, which will expose the steering column brace, and will also need to be removed.Remove the stock cover at the firewall, which will expose the steering column brace, and w Liftoff! Or is that liftout? Anyway the old column is out. Disconnect the pitman arm from the steering gear. This would be a good time to rebuild or replace the steering linkage. OPG had all the parts we needed. We know we'll be glad about this when Malibu Muscle is on the road.Disconnect the pitman arm from the steering gear. This would be a good time to rebuild or The steering gear is held to the frame by some fairly substantial bolts. The disconnect is straightforward. The new Remy unit (on the left in the photo) goes in the stock location.The steering gear is held to the frame by some fairly substantial bolts. The disconnect is Besides getting all new parts, we changed from manual to power steering. The Remy box has a ratio of 12.7 to 1 versus the manual gear, which can range up to 16 to 1. Much easier and quicker steering than the stock manual setup.The Remy box has a ratio of 12.7 to 1 versus the manual gear, which can range up to 16 to The Remy unit compared to the stock piece. Is this a great way to have the car when installing a dash? Covan's Classic Dash is easy to install, but it's even better when there's no old dash, seats, or even a windshield.Covan's Classic Dash is easy to install, but it's even better when there's no old dash, se Essentially, the new Covan Dash fastens in using the same fasteners as the stock unit. It's offered in brushed aluminum, carbon fiber, and black ABS finishes.Essentially, the new Covan Dash fastens in using the same fasteners as the stock unit. It' We took the black and added a top cover from OPG so everything is new. As nice as it looks now, it'll be a knockout when we add the Auto Meter Ultra-Lite Gauges (160 mph speedo, 10,000 rpm tach, oil pressure, fuel, water temp, volt gauges, plus all the wiring and sending units) that come with the dash. We're saving that little job until we wire the car.We took the black and added a top cover from OPG so everything is new. As nice as it looks Bolt the stock column section to the bright and shiny new ididt column. Our unit is a chrome tilt model with turn signals, 4-way flashers, all the knobs and levers, and a wiring harness. It's a retrofit, meaning no modifications are required; it fits where the stock unit did.Our unit is a chrome tilt model with turn signals, 4-way flashers, all the knobs and lever Recruit a friend to guide the column from inside the car, and hook it up to the new gear. On the inside, the stock pieces at the firewall and the dash brackets need to be reinstalled.On the inside, the stock pieces at the firewall and the dash brackets need to be reinstall Don't stop now-it's time to install the wheel. We're dying to try out this cool Grant wheel not only because it looks and feels great, but it will also means the car is on the road.We're dying to try out this cool Grant wheel not only because it looks and feels great, bu We chose a 14-inch polished four-billet spoke wheel with gray leather covering. It comes with all the adapters and fasteners needed to ensure that the installation is easy.We chose a 14-inch polished four-billet spoke wheel with gray leather covering. It comes w Right out of the box, the Master Power Brake master cylinder and booster unit is a sight to behold. Ordinarily, we would bench bleed it, but the car is not ready to be plumbed so we're saving that job for later. All we need to do is attach the proportioning valve and lines, then mount it on our firewall.Right out of the box, the Master Power Brake master cylinder and booster unit is a sight t This is the 9-inch dual diaphragm booster and master cylinder with proportioning valve. It's engineered for both disc/drums and disc/disc, and its size will allow clearance when we add our big-block engine.This is the 9-inch dual diaphragm booster and master cylinder with proportioning valve. It As promised, we changed out the steering arms with all new parts from OPG. We definitely recommend that all the old parts (center link, tie rods, pitman arm, etc.) be removed and replaced when doing a suspension upgrade, or all of the other work won't give the same benefit.We definitely recommend that all the old parts (center link, tie rods, pitman arm, etc.) b The tie rod end links are the adjustable items from Hotchkis that they provided when we did the complete suspension upgrade.The tie rod end links are the adjustable items from Hotchkis that they provided when we di SOURCES Remy Racing And Perfomace Products Original Parts Group (800) 243- Ididit Hotchkis Performance 12035 Burke St., Ste. 13 Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 877-466-7655 www.hotchkis.net Grant Products 700 Allen Avenue Glendale CA 91201 213-849-3171 800-952-6947 Covan Classic Automotive Specialties Master Power Brakes 254-1 Rolling Hills Rd. Mooresville NC 28117 704-664-8866 www.mpbrakes.com Enjoyed this Post? 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