power steering pump options with gbody steering box

[paradigm]

The 5.3 LM7 truck engine swap my car has uses a TC / Type 2 style power steering pump on a factory truck bracket. The TC pump feeds a remote reservoir via a 5/8" ID rubber hose, and feeds the Monte Carlo SS steering box via pressure line which appears to be too long and needs shortening. Is there a particular hose you LS swap guys went with between the factory steering box and PS pump?

The return line from the steering box to the reservoir seems ackward using 7" long steel line from steering box to a flexible hose to the reservoir. Going to look to shorten the metal line.

I am also considering switching to a PS pump that has a built on reservoir, but I was told on LS1tech that the P type / saginaw pump is an older style and could be worse than the TC / Type 2 that I have? I have a P type pump with the extra hydroboost return line; can I keep this line capped or do I risk the cap blowing off the hydroboost return line on the pump?

Should I stick with the TC / Type 2 pump with remote reservoir, and shorten the lines the gbody steering box, or should I switch to the P type / Saginaw pump with the built on reservoir?

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

I have no experience with that swap. Why not simply use the G Body steel return line lead? Is it problematic? Either looks like it would work but the stock one doesn't stand so tall...

For tooling, special sockets aren't necessary- you could use regular wrenches but "line wrenches" are a better way to prevent damage. These are great for brake, transmission, & power steering lines.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-sets/wrench-sets/flare-nut.html

The Saginaw style is the factory type and has served faithfully in many, many builds. It could be an issue in certain scenarios such as autocross, but I think a Saginaw pump is perfectly fine for most of us and doesn't leak if maintained. I have no clue what it takes to fit one in place of a pump w/ remote reservoir.

I've never had Hydroboost, but in theory plugging an extra return port is not an issue since it's not under pressure. On the flip, a rebuilt pump or new reservoir is cheap on Rock Auto. You can sometimes find a complete unit (pump & res) for $35, wholesaler closeout.

I also found this: https://gbodyforum.com/threads/87-monte-carlo-power-steering-hoses-need-new-ones.73015/

 

[ElkySS89]

I'm running a stock F-Body PS pump. I used stock pressure and return lines for a G-Body with an adapter fitting. You have to bend the lines a little but not enough to need a tubing bender. I had to use a smaller pulley and it looks like you did too. I had issues with the pump getting hot and making noise so I had to run a cooler.