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

[N2MYE30]

1) What rack did you use
98 M3

2) Is the steering effort better or worse than you expected (using power steering )
Feels the same as the stock E30 rack to me

3) Is the steering response better or worse than you expected
about what I expected and I do like it.

4) Anything else I should know?
Airbag car = clearance the firewall a bit for the steering shaft, also I did need to bend the P/S lines for them to fit.

5) Was the rack swap worth it/would you do it again on another e30?
Absolutely but only if I had the engine out as I was mid engine swap. My original rack was shot so it was time anyway.

[future rs]

What exactly do I need to do to my firewall to install this rack?

I have a 1991 325i with an airbag.

Looking at the hole in the firewall from the drivers seat. At the 4 o'clock position you need to trim about 3/4" to an 1" of the firewall off. The new steering rack puts the steering column at a slightly different angle and will cause it to rub.

[ClayW]

4) Anything else I should know?
Airbag car = clearance the firewall a bit for the steering shaft, also I didn't need to bend the P/S lines for them to fit

Thanks!

What exactly do I need to do to my firewall to install this rack?

I have a 1991 325i with an airbag.

[ZekeTheSneak]

1) What rack did you use
96 m3 rack

2) Is the steering effort better or worse than you expected (using power steering )
No power for me, feels awesome

3) Is the steering response better or worse than you expected
Wayyyyyyyyy better, I love the feel

4) Anything else I should know?
Airbag car, I had to finangle some shit but I didnt have to cut anything. I do have a giant air leak there though.

5) Was the rack swap worth it/would you do it again on another e30?
No doubt, way better then the stocker.

[ELVA164]

So after reading a ton, it's pretty clear that:

non-M Z3 > M Z3/e36/post-95 M3 > 95 M3

The one thing I can't seem to find a clear answer on is the difference in feel and effort between the first two options. The Z3 rack is linear, which means that things are twitchier at high speed. More effort is then also required at low speed...right? It seems like a lot of guys who go Z3 also delete power steering, so it's tough to find a direct comparison.

Also, I dunno if this would help anyone's explanation, but would you say that a Z3 rack requires more or less effort than the steering box in a 2002? I used to own one, so I could relate there.

[Nsquared97]

Check out this thread, lots of good info:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=172261

[bimmer630]

All z3 racks have the 2.7 ratio??

Ive always read that the rack to get is the 1.9 Z3.. but Im finding some stuff on the web that says all z3 racks were the same... and/or 2.8 z3 rack is 2.7 Lock to lock...

conflicting info everywhere I look... I have a normal e36 rack in my e30 and it was a great upgrade.. now its leaking and I want to upgrade to a z3 rack I think... If its worth it. Whats all this about shorter turning radius with the z3 rack? I have rack stops in mine to avoid rubbing tires.. I could probably just toss those if I used a z3 unit?

[Sagaris]

Count how many revolutions it takes to turn from full left lock to full right lock. Stock E30 rack is something close to 4.1 turns

[MattAvino]

whats the stock e30 ratio?

[Sagaris]

I have seen that alot of info on he web points to the 1.9L Z3 having the 2.7 turn rack. I got mine from a Z3 2.8 and it is indeed a 2.7 turn lock to lock.

It has been about 1000 miles since doing the rack swap and I am so used to how it feels that I forget that its any different from the stock rack. Its definitely worthwhile though.

Looks like the 9302M is the right one to get

[diegom6]

Bumping a old thread rather than bumping even a older thread linked in this one (RobertK build thread).

IDoes anybody knows what's the OEM PN for the Z3 1.9L rack?

Also, from the www.mavalgear.com site list, which is sopoused to be the Z3 1.9L rack?

Z3 1996-1997 (All Models)

9302M

1998-2002 (All exc 3.2L Eng)

9302M

1998-2002 (All w/3.2L Eng)

9186M

Thanks!!

[Dominic49]

the z3 rack is the shorter ratio but you lose on how much you can actually turn the wheels. it's basically a shortened e36 rack. it's great if you're going to oversized wheels and dont want to get the steering rack stops but worthless otherwise because you are actually losing degrees of how much your wheels are turning.

I've really noticed no difference in steering response. it responds just as well as the old rack, just takes less turns to turn the wheels so it's quicker in that sense.

thats bullshit i run the z3 rack on the drift car and it hits the frame rails with stock tie rods. it really grinds the wheels in now that i have spacers...

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

z3 if you can find it...

[ian e30 318is]

To be clear then, the Non-M Z3 rack is 1.9 turns.
right?

Here read this....http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247. might clear some stuff up

[Burnera]

To be clear then, the Non-M Z3 rack is 1.9 turns.
right?

[Wh33lhop]

The regular E36 rack takes the steering from abysmally slow to merely acceptable. If I were to do it again, I'd hold out for a Z3 rack to make it quick.