Upgrading Steering rack..

[E30_pilot]

Well, My steering rack took a $hit.
Now looking for a new rack to upgrade lol

SO here are my options:

Zionsville Autosports Package-
-Z3 $574.56 shipped ground
or
-95 M3 Same price

or

Remanufactored Rack from work:
-Z3 +/- $490
-95 M3 about same

I know the z3 has a tighter lock to lock ratio of 2.7,but is this ratio better for autocross and daily driving and some backroad drifting and the 3.0 from the m3?

Lastly would there be less custom work/less costly by going with Zionsville?

[1991 318is]

Used Z3!

A good low mile Z3 rack goes for $150-$200 and will bolt right in an E30 with an air bag.
http://www.centralbimmers.com/Articl...ck_in_E30.aspx
Site has instructions for inexpensive non air bag car couplers from OEM BMW parts.
2.75 turn is Honda Civic stuff.

[E30_pilot]

yeah my car is non airbag,
but what u mean by 2.75 is civic stuff?

[1991 318is]

That's the speed of a Honda Civic's steering. Almost everything is 3.0 today. An E30 has slow steering compared to current car's.

[Old'n'Slow]

That's the speed of a Honda Civic's steering. Almost everything is 3.0 today. An E30 has slow steering compared to current car's.

Our somewhat slow steering is only a liability if you are auto-xing the car. Interestingly, BMWs new Active Steering has an even slower ratio than ours at high speeds!

Gotta say though, I was very surprised that the Euro manual rack I installed at a 21.45:1 ratio actually feels better and quicker than the stock 20.5:1 power rack. After looking at it, the difference in feel is probably the MUCH stiffer steering coupler guibo in the manual rack. The power racks have a piece of rubber the consistency of play-dough that mushes up the accuracy and feel...

Inexpensive and trouble-free mod. No leaks and no maintenance ever!

[madjurgen]

Our somewhat slow steering is only a liability if you are auto-xing the car. Interestingly, BMWs new Active Steering has an even slower ratio than ours at high speeds!

Gotta say though, I was very surprised that the Euro manual rack I installed at a 21.45:1 ratio actually feels better and quicker than the stock 20.5:1 power rack. After looking at it, the difference in feel is probably the MUCH stiffer steering coupler guibo in the manual rack. The power racks have a piece of rubber the consistency of play-dough that mushes up the accuracy and feel...

Inexpensive and trouble-free mod. No leaks and no maintenance ever!

Tell me more. Where did you obtain this euro manual rack? Is parking difficult? Power steering racks also take a dump when internals get worn, gotta be the same for the manual rack, right?

[E30_pilot]

Inexpensive and trouble-free mod. No leaks and no maintenance ever!

more details please.

[1991 318is]

On the minus side.....

With quick steering (2.7-2.8 turn lock to lock) it takes some getting used to. You have to learn not to turn the wheel unless you want the car to move. Even a small input moves the car. My kids are used to this from driving Japanese cars. The first time a drove their Honda Civic, being used to E30 stock steering, I reached over to change radio stations and the car took off to the right. Whoa Nellie! Plus the speed, there is no slop. Once you get used to it, the Beemer steers like a 1965 Buick.
Hey Old & Slow, relate those numbers, What is 21.45 or whatever.

[Kilomph]

Euro manual rack

32111130169 - $297 - remfd rack
32111130842 - $433 - new rack

Pricing is from Pelican Parts. I could have sworn I checked these out a couple months ago and the remfd rack was around $190... wierd. Give your local BMW dealership a call.

[Vass325es]

Oh.. If we install manual rack and need to remove the power steering pump and hoses?

[Old'n'Slow]

Euro manual rack

32111130169 - $297 - remfd rack
32111130842 - $433 - new rack

Pricing is from Pelican Parts. I could have sworn I checked these out a couple months ago and the remfd rack was around $190... wierd. Give your local BMW dealership a call.

Thanks, Kilomph.

I hadn't gotten around to responding yet. I got my rack from the dealer for around $200 w/BMWCCA discount, and obtained the linkage on ebay.

Yes, you can get rid of the pump, reservoir, belt and hoses! Sooo much easier to work under there now...

21.45:1 is a little over 4 turns lock-to-lock.

Lastly, the manual rack is full of grease, not oil, so there's a lot more protection for the steering gear, so I think it will outlast the car.

[madjurgen]

Thanks, Kilomph.

I hadn't gotten around to responding yet. I got my rack from the dealer for around $200 w/BMWCCA discount, and obtained the linkage on ebay.

Yes, you can get rid of the pump, reservoir, belt and hoses! Sooo much easier to work under there now...

21.45:1 is a little over 4 turns lock-to-lock.

Lastly, the manual rack is full of grease, not oil, so there's a lot more protection for the steering gear, so I think it will outlast the car.

How many turns lock-to-lock is the stock e30 ps rack, 4 seems like a lot? Was that a rebuilt, remanu, or new rack from the dealer? How hard is it to turn under 5mph (parking)?

[Old'n'Slow]

How many turns lock-to-lock is the stock e30 ps rack, 4 seems like a lot? Was that a rebuilt, remanu, or new rack from the dealer? How hard is it to turn under 5mph (parking)?

Stock rack is 20.5:1 or 4 turns lock-to-lock.

The rack came from a warehouse in Germany My dealer got it. Brand spanking new. I don't find it difficult to turn unless I'm dead stopped. As long as the wheels are turning, it's no big deal.

I really wish you could drive my car on the freeway. Tracking is great with wonderful feel...

[erik325i]

How many turns lock-to-lock is the stock e30 ps rack, 4 seems like a lot?

The stock PS rack is 4 turns lock-to-lock. The euro non-PS rack is 4.4 turns, if I recall correctly.

I would recommend upgrading to a newer rack instead, such as e36 m3 (3 turns L2L) or z3 (2.7 turns L2L)...

-Erik

[madjurgen]

Im much more interested in getting rid of the ps than decreasing my l-to-l. So was that manual rack from the dealer for $200 a one-off thing or any dealer's able to get this? Will it fit airbag cars?