Did the Z3 Rack Conversion and It's Awesome

[ClayW]

I did the Z3 rack conversion a few weeks ago and I have to say that it's awesome. The steering is tight and responsive. I was expecting a little difficulty because I have an airbag car, but it was a relatively simple job with great results. If your rack is leaky, do this conversion!

[DEV0 E30]

I had an E36 M3 rack in my previous e30, honestly a quicker rack is one of the best modifications you can do to your e30 possibly even before suspension. I plan to run a Z3 in my new car.

Which Z3 rack did you purchase?

[ClayW]

Which Z3 rack did you purchase?

I bought the 1.9L Z3 rack. Blunt got it for me....can't recall the p/n. It was a Maval rebuild.

[Holland]

I can't wait to do this swap, my car seriously needs this.

[mccor023]

Clay, I see you have a late model I am bout to do this next week. Did you have an problems with the firewall? Also was your car airbag or non airbag?

Thanks.

[ClayW]

Clay, I see you have a late model I am bout to do this next week. Did you have an problems with the firewall? Also was your car airbag or non airbag?

Thanks.

Yep, my car is a 1991 sedan with an airbag.

You have to notch out the firewall and make a plate to hold the firewall shaft seal. See the bottom of this page.

Notching:




New firewall seal plate:



It's really not that difficult to do, but it requires some thought. See my swap here.

[mulletman]

This will likely be the next mod my car gets, once I put my suspension back together.


My issue is figuring out whether or not my car originally came with an airbag. It currently has an MTech2 steering wheel, with no bag.

-It's a 1990. And yes, those had airbags, except for some really early ones. Mine is an August-1989 build. Really early 1990 model.
-It has no airbag light on the instrument panel anywhere, like I would expect an airbag car to have. Can someone verify that the airbag cars actually do have a light?
-RealOEM lists both airbag parts and non-airbag parts when I type in my VIN.

Any other ideas on how to find out?

[ClayW]

This will likely be the next mod my car gets, once I put my suspension back together.


My issue is figuring out whether or not my car originally came with an airbag. It currently has an MTech2 steering wheel, with no bag.

-It's a 1990. And yes, those had airbags, except for some really early ones. Mine is an August-1989 build. Really early 1990 model.
-It has no airbag light on the instrument panel anywhere, like I would expect an airbag car to have. Can someone verify that the airbag cars actually do have a light?
-RealOEM lists both airbag parts and non-airbag parts when I type in my VIN.

Any other ideas on how to find out?

The difference is in the steering knuckle.

Airbag E30 Knuckle:




Non-Airbag E30 Knuckle (which needs modification):

[mccor023]

Just to clarify: non airbag needs knuckle modification but no firewall modification- and reverse is true for airbag?

[ClayW]

Just to clarify: non airbag needs knuckle modification but no firewall modification- and reverse is true for airbag?

Correct.

Airbag cars need the firewall to be modified.
Non-airbag cars need the knuckle to be modified.

[fronton]

This will likely be the next mod my car gets, once I put my suspension back together.


My issue is figuring out whether or not my car originally came with an airbag. It currently has an MTech2 steering wheel, with no bag.

-It's a 1990. And yes, those had airbags, except for some really early ones. Mine is an August-1989 build. Really early 1990 model.
-It has no airbag light on the instrument panel anywhere, like I would expect an airbag car to have. Can someone verify that the airbag cars actually do have a light?
-RealOEM lists both airbag parts and non-airbag parts when I type in my VIN.

Any other ideas on how to find out?

type your vin into a BMW vin decoder

[mulletman]

type your vin into a BMW vin decoder

I did this. It doesn't say anything about an airbag, but it does list that my Mtech 2 wheel was a factory option, and not added aftermarket.

That would mean that my car is a non-airbag car, yes?

I haven't had a chance to look at the steering knuckle to verify.

[Polaris15]

On my air bag car when i open the glove box it has an airbag warning sticker. Perhaps check your car for that?

[Wh33lhop]

Just to clarify: non airbag needs knuckle modification but no firewall modification- and reverse is true for airbag?

Actually the Z3 rack may NOT require knuckle modification. E36 racks do, but the splines on the Z3 rack go deeper (oh baby) and may not require knuckle shortening.

The funny thing is, the Z3 rack is such a huge improvement over the stock rack but it's still not THAT fast. For instance, try driving a car with a z3 rack and then driving an Evo or a Mazda3.

[mccor023]

Actually the Z3 rack may NOT require knuckle modification. E36 racks do, but the splines on the Z3 rack go deeper (oh baby) and may not require knuckle shortening.

The funny thing is, the Z3 rack is such a huge improvement over the stock rack but it's still not THAT fast. For instance, try driving a car with a z3 rack and then driving an Evo or a Mazda3.

I'm starting to think that is the case! I started this solo and after giving up attaching the knuckle to column and then knuckle to rack (w/ spacers installed). I separated the knuckle, inserted the top and installed rack to subframe w bottom half of knuckle. Now im looking and there is no way the spacers will fit, and Im doubting everything.