E36 Steering rack, worth it?

[Brandon12V]

yea pretty much any later rack is an improvement.

[Jand3rson]

I drove my car for the first time yesterday with the E36 rack, and just from driving around the neighborhood for 15 minutes, going no faster than 30 mph in 3rd gear, the steering felt incredible. It was like going from a car with no power steering to one with. I can't wait to really put it through the paces.

[Wh33lhop]

Is there a difference with the 3.0 and 3.2 m3? did it require much modification to fit?

thanks.

There is a difference--both of the M3 racks (the 3.0 rack especially) are actually inferior to the regular E36 rack. Just pick up a 328i rack, the M3s had different steering geometry and actually have a bit less lock than the regular E36 rack (as well as the 3.0 M3 being significantly shorter and slower).

I definitely notice a difference going from my car with the standard E36 rack to one with a stock E30 rack. It makes the car feel more modern, it is easier to control mad tyte skids and is worth doing for the ~$150 it will cost you.

[Hey-U]

Best mod that I have done to date (95 M3). Wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

[SimplyDope]

The E36 rack has been one of the best mods I've done, and I've replaced the entire suspension including all bushings with poly. Now to remove the power steering completely...

[BMC227]

wow! thanks for the feedback.

Looks like i'll be doing the swap soon! :)

[M-technik-3]

Some guys are doing Z4 M coupe racks as they are even faster.

[ScHpAnKy]

I'll be doing one in a euro 325i non-airbag, do I need to make any modifications to the firewall?

[Adrian_Visser]

This is required reading when it comes to e36 rack swaps:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=172261&highlight=steering+rack

Some guys are doing Z4 M coupe racks as they are even faster.

Any idea what the specs are on that rack?

SAe30 has I think an e46ZHP rack in his car too and likes it.

[M-technik-3]

This is required reading when it comes to e36 rack swaps:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=172261&highlight=steering+rack

Any idea what the specs are on that rack?

SAe30 has I think an e46ZHP rack in his car too and likes it.

http://m3forum.net/m3forum//showthread.php?t=368817

[Adrian_Visser]

Interesting, I love my Z3 rack BTW it`s probably the best mod I have other than the s52.

[agent]

Does anyone singing the praises of the rack swap drive something besides their E30 as their primary car? On initial turn-in my E30 feels like a go-kart compared to my E39, and the E39 is a Sport. Although, the E39 inspires confidence in the twisties while the E30 feels nervous.

[M-technik-3]

E39 has got a longer wheelbase and a multilink suspension. It is going to feel far more stable and less darty than an E30.

I like my E30 over my GF's 08 Audi A4 2.0T S line Avant. As a DD I have an E36 332is that I can't stand. Great for DD use but for a fun car not so happy with it.

[nando]

Does anyone singing the praises of the rack swap drive something besides their E30 as their primary car? On initial turn-in my E30 feels like a go-kart compared to my E39, and the E39 is a Sport. Although, the E39 inspires confidence in the twisties while the E30 feels nervous.

sounds like your E30 needs an alignment

[agent]

sounds like your E30 needs an alignment

Probably... it tracks straight as an arrow, though I know it needs new bushings pretty much everywhere they exist. Having driven my E30, a friend's E36 and my E39 (all recently), my E30 has the most crisp turn-in of all of them, and has the crappiest tires of the three. That's what prompted the question.