E36/Z3 steering rack swap people: I need your feedback

[87e30]

Haven't had enough time to test out my 98 e36 rack but it's definitely mucho better than stock. It came with a parts car, so I can't complain, but if I was dropping the money I'd have to say go z3 1.9. But I'm happy with this.

[dnova89]

To swap a '95 m3 rack into an e30, do I just use my stock power steering hose/reservoir I currently have, or do I need to buy the '95 m3 power steering hose/reservoir?

Having driven a stock racked E30, compared to my car the difference is drastic.

1. 1996 M3 rack with AKG's link modification kit / rack spacers, and

modified power steering lines to accomodate the rack.


4. You need to modify your power steering lines.

How do I need to modify my power steering lines? Is it parts I need to buy or just work I need to do? I'm having someone else do the swap for me, but I need to supply all the parts for him, so if it's just work that needs to be done then I'm good, however if there's any parts can you please inform me of what you had to buy?

[ian e30 318is]

get the z3 rack...you won't regret it.

[D-rock]

1. used the standard 3.1 L2L rack out of any e36 you find in a junkyard.
2. no real difference as long as you keep powersteering
3. no real difference
4. you should have done this already.
5. every e30 needs this rack.

Why so if there is no real difference?

[Wh33lhop]

No. '95 M3 is like 3.0 LTL. It's slightly less than E36, but more than a Z3 1.9. AFAIK, any E36 Z3M is just the same as any E36.

No, the '96+ M3 is the same as the plain-jane E36 rack at 3.2 turns (I've got a regular E36 rack in my car). Incidentally, the Z3-M rack is the same as the regular E36 rack, so if you stumble across one, ironically, it's not really special.

The 3.5 turn LTL rack you are thinking of is off the E30M.

'96+ M3 rack = non-M E36 rack = Z3M rack, the '95 M3 rack (and the non-M Z3 rack) are the more sought after ones.

[Surtr]

and the 95 m3 is basicly any other e36 rack?

No. '95 M3 is like 3.0 LTL. It's slightly less than E36, but more than a Z3 1.9. AFAIK, any E36 Z3M is just the same as any E36.

[xwill112x]

and the 95 m3 is basicly any other e36 rack?

[Wh33lhop]

so whats the best rack the z3 or e36 one/?

Depends on what you want. Z3 will offer a more darty feel, '95 M3 will offer more lock.

[xwill112x]

so whats the best rack the z3 or e36 one/?

[Surtr]

1) 3.2 LTL from a '95 Z3M.

2) Hard to say, as I was coming from a leaking rack that took a lot of effort with power steering.

3) Worse

4) I don't know.

5) Absolutely worth it. Probably the best mod I've done to my car.

[Fast Frankie]

I have a short z3 rack, no power steering and I love it. Quicker, would definitely do this mod to the next e30.

[brian52555]

I've got a 95 m3 rack sitting in my garage. Would it be better to trade up and get the z3 1.9? Ie how much of a difference am I giving up.

[Wh33lhop]

Only the 95 m3 rack is variable rate 3.0 LtL. 96+ M3 is 3.2 LtL and non-m are 3.5. Z3 1.9 rack is 2.7 LtL, if I recall correctly.

No, the '96+ M3 is the same as the plain-jane E36 rack at 3.2 turns (I've got a regular E36 rack in my car). Incidentally, the Z3-M rack is the same as the regular E36 rack, so if you stumble across one, ironically, it's not really special.

The 3.5 turn LTL rack you are thinking of is off the E30M.

[Aptyp]

1. used the standard 3.1 L2L rack out of any e36 you find in a junkyard.
2. no real difference as long as you keep powersteering
3. no real difference
4. you should have done this already.
5. every e30 needs this rack.

yup yup

[yberther]

small correction:

all e36 other than 95 m3 are 3.2 ltl

and e30 m3 are 3.5 ltl