-
I'm surprised this thread hasn't gotten more attention. I was even thinking a sticky is in order, there is a LOT of misinformation out there regarding these steering racks. -
Good idea for a thread! I have a z3 rack waiting to go in my car right now. Can't wait to see what it feels like.Leave a comment:
-
Thanks for the info. It will come in handy as soon as I can finish turning the steering wheel on my stock e30 rack all the way to the left so I can pull out of my parking space and go buy one.Leave a comment:
-
There is a thread that covers this in detail: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247Leave a comment:
-
Excellent info.
I have been thinking about swapping in a Z3 steering rack into my E30, is there anything that needs to be done besides just swapping the racks? Do all of the E30 tie rods work and everything?
I just think my steering is too slow and its hurting my auto-x times. Even pulling in and out of my garage feels like it takes too much effort on the steering wheel. And is there anyone that has done this swap on a 325is or other E30 that can give their opinion on how it feels on track and street?Leave a comment:
-
E36 racks: let's settle it once and for all.
I've seen a lot of misinformation about E36 racks, mainly the ratios, differences and the age-old '95 M3 vs. Z3 rack dilemma. I'd like to set a few things straight. If you have differing info from FIRST-HAND measurements, feel free to correct me, but in 95% of the threads there is just some moron spouting off lock-to-lock numbers off the top of their head, and they're typically wrong about that as well.
Firstly, all E36 steering racks excluding the '95 M3 rack, and additionally all Z3-M racks are IDENTICAL, save for the '96-99 M3's rack being limited just a bit to allow for the M3's additional caster without affecting tire clearance. The '96-99 M3 racks have about .2 turns less lock-to-lock than the standard E36 rack (3.2 turns LTL instead of 3.4). All of these racks are progressive, meaning that it is slower in the middle of the rack (slower when you're going straight) than towards lock. This was mainly to make the car more relaxed and comfortable at sustained autobahn speeds. The regular E30 rack is about 4 turns lock to lock and the E30 M3 rack is 3.5 turns lock to lock; I am not sure of the total travel distance or overall ratio of either of these, but I can definitely attest to the regular E36 rack being a good improvement in every way over the stock E30 rack.
Secondly, the '95 M3 rack is SLOWER in the center of the rack and has LESS overall travel than the regular E36 rack. This is mainly because of the different steering geometry of the '95 M3, as you recall they have a different spindle/control arm/CAB setup than the rest of E36 cars. Yes, it's 3 turns flat lock-to-lock but it's still progressive, and the overall degree-to-travel ratio is slower as there is less overall travel. Basically, on any given chassis this rack is inferior to the regular E36 rack despite the lower lock-to-lock number. I know you've read otherwise on E30 sites, and I have too. But, say it with me: screw the '95 M3 rack.
Thirdly, and most importantly, the Z3 non-M rack, contrary to popular belief, has the SAME overall travel as the run-of-the-mill E36 rack (146mm). However, it's the only rack in the discussion which is linear rate, which means that it's significantly quicker in the center than the other racks, verified by measurement. This is the steering rack to have: 2.7 turns lock to lock, linear, same travel as the regular E36 rack.
According to RealOEM, all Z3 non-M racks are identical (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=32131095575). However, it has been reported first-hand that more than one 1.9 rack has been tried out to have been 3.2 turns lock-to-lock, so try before you buy as RealOEM is not perfect.
I'm basing this off of a few discussions I've read on E36 forums; the Z3 rack is a common upgrade for E36 M3s and most of them seem to like it. But additionally, if you want cold hard numbers and good info, don't just take my word for it, do some reading for yourself. I'd suggest E36 guys though as they live with different E36 and Z3 racks, as opposed to just going from an abysmal E30 rack to an E36 rack of their choosing and noting a difference, then engaging in a pissing contest when something is questioned. Here are a few pertinent threads:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=steering+rack (gold mine)
Cliffs: Z3 rack > regular E36 rack > '95 M3 rack. Do it.
Leave a comment: