[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Typically a more positive road feel and quicker response. Less effort and quicker ratio. Less parts to wear out or create slop. Overall tighter feel. More compact packaging.

The recirulating ball boxes (like stock) worked fine for their entended use but they will not be as good as a R&P setup. If you look almost all auto companies have moved over to R&P setups.

Are you sure that's because of better quality & performance vs. better manufacturing costs?

One of the best aftermarket companies around that does the suspension thing (Detroit Speed; ran by former GM drivetrain engineers no less) utilize OE steering box set-ups vs. a R&P swap. I think a R&P offers better packaging for certain applications for sure, but a recirc-ball box built right w/the correct supporting hardware can work as well.