e36 rack worth it?

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  • jakeb
    E30 Mastermind
    • Feb 2004
    • 1909

    #1

    e36 rack worth it?

    I am going to be pulling my m50 soon to drop in an s52 and have been thinking about swapping in a e36 steering rack. Just the standard 3.2 LTL rack. My e30 rack is fine...no leaks or issues but I know it would be a lot easier with the engine out.

    So it is worth it?

    The swap sounds simple enough. I have an airbag car so I just have to cut the plate out a little bit, nbd.

    I can get a e36 rack for $75...
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  • 87Blue325iC
    E30 Enthusiast
    • Apr 2006
    • 1111

    #2
    Originally posted by jakeb
    I am going to be pulling my m50 soon to drop in an s52 and have been thinking about swapping in a e36 steering rack. Just the standard 3.2 LTL rack. My e30 rack is fine...no leaks or issues but I know it would be a lot easier with the engine out.

    So it is worth it?

    The swap sounds simple enough. I have an airbag car so I just have to cut the plate out a little bit, nbd.

    I can get a e36 rack for $75...
    For $75 and you have the car tore up anyway - yes, it is worth it. I put in a e36 rack when my original rack died. It wasn't my daily driver and I put off getting the car aligned after I did the swap. I hated the steering - was very twitchy and didn't feel safe. I finally got the car aligned and it is 100% better - quick steering and feels solid - but really don't know if it was worth the extra $$ from stock.
    Aaron

    Comment

    • gearheadE30
      No R3VLimiter
      • Jun 2007
      • 3734

      #3
      definitly worth it. It is probably the single most 'modernizing' thing I have done to the car. It doesn't feel nearly as archaic now; just make sure you ger a good alignment.

      Project M42 Turbo

      Comment

      • Hey-U
        E30 Addict
        • Mar 2008
        • 560

        #4
        Just got back from the alignment shop this mourning after doing the swap. LOVE it!

        Comment

        • 87Blue325iC
          E30 Enthusiast
          • Apr 2006
          • 1111

          #5
          Originally posted by Hey-U
          Just got back from the alignment shop this mourning after doing the swap. LOVE it!
          Makes all the difference!
          Aaron

          Comment

          • OrganicMechanic
            E30 Mastermind
            • Jan 2008
            • 1719

            #6
            yes it is worth it.

            the only one up is the Z3 rack. If you want your steering to be telepathic, then do it.

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            Comment

            • TrentW
              R3VLimited
              • Aug 2008
              • 2815

              #7
              Curious as to what is better about the E36 rack. Believe it's shorter turning radius, but is it "quicker" also? Enlighten me.

              Comment

              • BraveUlysses
                No R3VLimiter
                • Jun 2007
                • 3781

                #8
                Yes, significantly quicker, depending on which e36 or z3 model you use.

                Comment

                • CorvallisBMW
                  Long Schlong Longhammer
                  • Feb 2005
                  • 13039

                  #9
                  It doesn't shorten your turning radius, it makes the steering 'quicker' (i.e. for any given amount of movement of the steering wheel, your wheels turn more)

                  Comment

                  • TrentW
                    R3VLimited
                    • Aug 2008
                    • 2815

                    #10
                    So what's the best model & year rack to use?

                    Comment

                    • yberther
                      E30 Fanatic
                      • Feb 2008
                      • 1246

                      #11
                      z3
                      Flickr
                      Originally posted by Indecline06
                      For some reason, when I get super duper ultra stoned... The M30 motor reminds me of big bird from sesame street.

                      Comment

                      • TrentW
                        R3VLimited
                        • Aug 2008
                        • 2815

                        #12
                        ^^^Any year the same?

                        Comment

                        • yberther
                          E30 Fanatic
                          • Feb 2008
                          • 1246

                          #13
                          search? there have been sooo many threads about this.
                          Flickr
                          Originally posted by Indecline06
                          For some reason, when I get super duper ultra stoned... The M30 motor reminds me of big bird from sesame street.

                          Comment

                          • TrentW
                            R3VLimited
                            • Aug 2008
                            • 2815

                            #14
                            You could've answered my question in less time than it took ya to type that response, but thanks for the info...

                            Comment

                            • wagonizzle
                              E30 Addict
                              • Sep 2006
                              • 443

                              #15
                              From what I understand, 95 m3 rack is 3.0 lock to lock, and is the most desirable. All other e36 racks are 3.2 LTL, and the z3 is 2.7 LTL. These last two racks have the SAME RATIO, with the z3 simply having less travel.

                              For comparison, standard e30 is 4 turns LTL and e30m3 is 3.5
                              Originally posted by chileelky
                              amaze about the enthusiasm e30 generate

                              Comment

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