E36 Steering rack, worth it?

[agent]

Put some bushings and better tires on the poor car and check the alignment. E39s are very stable cars through-and-through, but you shouldn't be scared of your E30. Are you on stock suspension too?

Bushings and wheels/tires are definitely all on the (extensive and constantly growing) list. I changed direction on this car after I bought it... after discovering it was almost completely original I decided to turn it into a full street restoration instead of a track rat. In turn, it's taking longer to get "done" since I'm taking care of what I can as I'm able afford it.

Yes it's still on stock springs and Boges for the time being, though I'm not scared of it by any means. I didn't mean to give that impression, so perhaps my choice of words wasn't the best. It's just that going from driving a rock-solid, heavy E39 (with sticky tires) every day to an E30 (with admittedly crappy tires on stock 14" weaves) for only an hour or two a week is a pretty big difference. Again, that's what prompted my question about this conversion since my E30 certainly feels more nimble than my E39 or my friend's E36, though in their respective conditions right now and because I'm in it much more frequently, I'm sure I can drive my E39 much faster.

[Wh33lhop]

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.

Put some bushings and better tires on the poor car and check the alignment. E39s are very stable cars through-and-through, but you shouldn't be scared of your E30. Are you on stock suspension too?

[Ant_e30]

can you re-use E30 tie rods (inner & outer) with E36 rack? I didnt know about rack swaps etc and bought brand new Lemforder tie rod assemblies but am now considering doing the rack at the same time as i get those installed..

[Adrian_Visser]

I have my car aligned with zero toe and it doesn't feel too "darty." It does tend to follow curvatures in the road quite a bit though.

I know it sounds counter-intuitive but I noticed a huge difference just changing tires. The car used to pull to the left noticeably with worn out P-zeros on it, with the Starspecs I'm currently running it tracks way better.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Adrian_Visser]

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

[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]

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.

[ScHpAnKy]

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

[M-technik-3]

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

[BMC227]

wow! thanks for the feedback.

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

[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...