[TurboWalt]

Can the NV7 variable assist be deleted by just swapping out the non NV7 gearbox and pump? Has anyone went down this road? I'd like to Install a 12.7 ratio box.

 

[96 Black]

66 hits with "NV7", these jumped out as useful:

Quite a history of hunts to improve on the buggy variable assist design used in this vintage rig. Always best to start with the stickies:
https://www.impalassforum.com/vBull...le-effort-steering-ves-has-erratic-boost.html

SEO9C1 all gettin' in the weeds on details of the differences = rather interesting intel:
https://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/17-suspension/296201-swapping-n40-pump-w-nv7.html

'nother goodin':
https://www.impalassforum.com/vBull...e-effort-vs-non-variable-effort-steering.html

You see that you can "delete" the var. assist by just unplugging the connector under the steering shaft/firewall side. You'll notice zero difference in ride either way, - just no longer the cloverleaf jerkover/ghost grab. I infer by your trying to swap the box tighter that you don't like the sloppy Fleetwood steering overall. I found EXTREMELY gratifying results from a complete frontend rebuild - and of course better shocks, bar and ends, coils, tires... Enough that I no longer see the benefit of swapping in a diff. box to match my black car.



I've never read anywhere on here where the box knows what pump it's connected to, so you can drill down on that detail until someone chimes in with experience. The only other bogey may be if the hardlines or comp. fittings are different size or locations for the diff. boxes.

 

[HuSSker]

I did this years ago, sort of...


I installed a Fleetwood LT1 setup into my '79 Caprice project. It of course had the NV7 pump. I removed the wiring from the engine harness, as there was nothing for it to connect to in the old Caprice. I also installed an Impala SS steering box, since the engine was out of the car, making it a quick exercise. I noticed no difference in the way it steered, vs. how my SS does. So, if you're in need of disabling the variable effort steering, you can simply unplug the pump.

I would be interested in how the NV7 behaves with the quicker steering box. As mentioned above, the system is not dependent on the gearing, or the steering box, its mainly between the column, and the pump.

 

[FleetwoodEstateWagon]

FWIW, Hot Rod Feb. 2019 did this...

I usually pick up a copy of Hot Rod magazine whenever I fly. I picked up the February 2019 issue when I flew back to Milwaukee for Christmas and was surprised/delighted to see an article about B-Body steering - which included eliminating the NV7 BS. They also installed a "quicker" steering box as well. Not sure why their wagon is a one-wheeled wonder, as mine has posi, but hopefully the attached scanned jpg's work here and are legible. I also have them saved as pdf's but not sure if I can post them here or not. I'm not saying I did this (it does look intriguing), just showing what Hot Rod did.

 

[TurboWalt]

Update:

I'm halfway through this process. I've installed the non variable assist pump with new hoses. I don't like how the variable ratio box feels. I've sourced a used Impala SS box which I will be sending to Lee to have rebuilt. I am digging my Moog 5552 springs with new Koni's. I may change the 5552's only because they ride a bit high.

 

[FleetwoodEstateWagon]

TurboWalt,


Any update on this? Have you completed the swap/install? If so, what is your assessment after completing it?

 

[96 Black]

..... Not sure why their wagon is a one-wheeled wonder, as mine has posi, .....

LSD is just an option (?G80?) and no reason I can think of why not available on everything but a FW. You have the RMW with the FW front clip, right? IIRC only RMs and FWs could get NV7, but with the added wrinkle that Cady got Traction Control, which added the 'Throttle Relaxer' and ruled out any option for limited slip. The perfect workaround for us is a gear locker. Good timing on the article. You prolly know all this, just figured a good place to dunk in something for future searchers too.

 

[schlicky13]

LSD is just an option (?G80?) and no reason I can think of why not available on everything but a FW. You have the RMW with the FW front clip, right? IIRC only RMs and FWs could get NV7, but with the added wrinkle that Cady got Traction Control, which added the 'Throttle Relaxer' and ruled out any option for limited slip. The perfect workaround for us is a gear locker. Good timing on the article. You prolly know all this, just figured a good place to dunk in something for future searchers too.

Hm, I'm not convinced that's entirely true. I was under the impression (always possibly mistaken) that any tow pack Fleetwood got the GM G80 posi option regardless of gear ratio (they ran a few different ones depending on year and exact tow package option) or the traction control system. I know this has been discussed on here before, and I may have been one of the ones asking about it, but I know at least a few have reported that they've installed aftermarket LSD's (ie - detroit eaton trutrac) with no issue from the traction control system. If you leave it on, it'll engage as normal in slippery conditions or copious use of the throttle, and if my understanding is correct, you'll still be sending power to both wheels via the LSD, just less of it when the system activates. Whereas if you disable the system with either the button in the glove box or just completely delete the system, then you just have the LSD like any other car with one.


Could take a little more digging to verify, but I know I've read threads about this topic on here in the past. It's still my plan to install an LSD in my car and have the traction system operating under the torqhead setup, (even though I ultimately plan to delete the traction and abs systems) but I haven't been in touch with that guy in awhile and I don't think he's actively making a Fleetwood specific pcm yet. He got busy with other stuff and my car has been on the sideline for awhile. I should bug him about it again and see what he says.

 

[96 Black]

Snips for clarifying

Hm, I'm not convinced that's entirely true. I was under the impression (always possibly mistaken) that any tow pack Fleetwood got the GM G80 posi option regardless of gear ratio (they ran a few different ones depending on year and exact tow package option) or the traction control system. I know this has been discussed on here before, and I may have been one of the ones asking about it,



I thought since livery and security Cadys were the only ones that came with the larger ring rear that they could qualify for the then standard (crap) Auburn 'non-rebuildable' type cone LSD. Any word on here over the years that a normal 8.5 rear (which all came with TC) could be optioned with a GM oem LSD woulda' jumped out at me. But would love to be provedend wrong.



but I know at least a few have reported that they've installed aftermarket LSD's (ie - detroit eaton trutrac) with no issue from the traction control system. If you leave it on, it'll engage as normal in slippery conditions or copious use of the throttle, and if my understanding is correct, you'll still be sending power to both wheels via the LSD, just less of it when the system activates. Whereas if you disable the system with either the button in the glove box or just completely delete the system, then you just have the LSD like any other car with one.


I just googled that unit and by golly it's a gear locker. It's a damn fine looking one and perhaps neater design than my old Torson Powertrax, but it's a gear locker just as I referenced. A gear locker in an open carrier Cady rear will work with the TC/ABS. Flipping the TC switch does eliminate the nuisance (and potentially dangerous) 1/2-second lag kicking in.


...

 

[schlicky13]

I have no clue on the commercial stuff, but could have swore standard Fleet's if equipped with either of the tow packages got the factory auburn, but like I said I could easily be wrong. I'll dig into it a little and see what I turn up. I guess my thought is, why in heck would they beef the car up to the point that it could tow 7k lbs and expect a peg leg to be happy with that setup. It is GM though, so if it's stupid, it's a good idea.


Edit: yeah, I'm thinking I just imagined that. I can't find any reference to it anywhere, and I actually found an old thread on one of the cadillac forums where jayoldschool stated very confidently that they never equipped Fleet's with the G80 rpo. My bad.

 

[96 Black]

Aaaannnndd, from what I skimmed on that neat Eaton locker it appears mine is still preferred for anyone wishing NOT to have to change out the entire carrier and redial the gears.

 

[FleetwoodEstateWagon]

"You have the RMW with the FW front clip, right?"

Yep! That's me!

"You prolly know all this..."

No, I am a total noob! I definitely need to learn more and have been told that this is the place to do so.

 

[FleetwoodEstateWagon]

Oh yeah... There is plenty to take in on this page alone... Thanks for your efforts to educate!

 

[kink56]

I have a tow option Roadmaster wagon, no posi. I had a tow option Roadmaster sedan WITH posi. On Roadmasters the posi is a separate, stand alone option that can be ordered with any other combination of options.