E30 M3 Steering Rack Swap

[gverelli]

I am in need of a new steering rack. But before jumping to the e36 rack. Would it be worth to get a e30 m3 rack that can be directly swaped in with no problems. Some have said that the rack is the same as a 325, others have said it is not.

Has anyone swapped in a m3 rack and notice a difference? Or should I get an e36 steering rack (Problem with this that I am not sure my garage will know how to do it)

Let me know some of the best options.


Thanks in advance.

[Wh33lhop]

Racks:

E30 power: 4.0 turns lock to lock
E30M3: 3.5 turns
95 M3: 3.0 turns
All other E36: 3.2 turns

I'd just get the regular E36 rack (and I did). Some have not needed to seriously modify anything, you might need to do some dremeling if you encounter binding though. You can use either E36 or E30 tie rods as long as you use inner and outer tie rods and the locking plates that are consistent with each other (i.e. don't use an E36 inner and E30 outer tie rod together, and especially don't mate it to an E30 locking plate).

The "quicker" Z3 rack is typically very expensive and not actually a quicker rack. 2.7 turns lock to lock but not as much lock as the others, the actual ratio is either the same as the '95 M3 or the regular E36.

[Fast Frankie]

search for the steering rack thread which is very comprehensive

I went with the z3 steering rack with the tightest turn to turn. love it and wouldn't do anything less.

[gverelli]

Thanks for the information.
I was just wondering the the bolt on e30 m3 would be worth it because I can get it for a cheap price and have it installed in no time. I would love to get the e36 rack its just I do not know any mechanics around here that would do it or know how to modify it to work etc etc.

I will have to have it checked out to see if anyone knows how to do it before ordering any parts.

As for the e30 m3 rack, I would like to know if someone has actually done it and thinks it is worth it, or would say it is not worth it at all because they did not find a difference.

Thanks again for the information. I will not leave the option of the e36 rack out, would just like to look for more of a bolt on before going with modifying. If its my last option then yes I will start searching around for someone who may be able to do it.

[Wh33lhop]

Plenty have done the E30M3 rack. The E36 isn't much more of a chore, IIRC the high pressure hose can be turned around to work with the E36 rack without bending. Beyond that you are only looking at possible knuckle grinding (someone chime in here or correct me, I haven't done it myself yet). If you're comfortable lifting the engine with a jack it shouldn't be too bad a job. Hopefully your mechanic is. ;)