should i run power steering w a z3 rack?

[Holland]

Fixed

Except there isn't a manual rack out there that is an actual upgrade...

[Wanganstyle]

Except there isn't a manual rack out there that is an actual upgrade...

Yeah there is - Been racing on it (24v e30 full race) the last 3 events; Z4 non-M

its quicker ratio just like Z3 but has MORE angle - and also is OEM BMW non-powered as the Z4 has electric steering assist built into the column.

Z4 rack is quite common as the masses have not yet realized its a plug and play affair ;)

I installed a z3 rack in my 97M3 in 2009, and prefer the Z4 non-powered rack for racing use over a powered Z3 rack or power-deleted Z3 rack.

Why spend money and time/energy to Delete the power steering when you can buy a Modern Z4 BMW OEM power deleted steering rack for less money?

Leave the z3 rack for one who desires Power steering and less overall angle- buy the Z4 bmw non powered unit.

[kristov]

Yeah there is - Been racing on it (24v e30 full race) the last 3 events; Z4 non-M

its quicker ratio just like Z3 buthas MORE angle - and also is OEM BMW non-powered as the Z4 has electric steering assist built into the column.

Z4 rack is quite common as the masses have not yet realized its a plug and play affair ;)

I installed a z3 rack in my 97M3 in 2009, and prefer the Z4 non-powered rack for racing use over a powered Z3 rack

Is it heavy without the assist?

[Wanganstyle]

there is no resistance like a power rack with loop or ps deleted; the Z4 is a light effort OEM BMW non-powered rack - it does NOT have any lines going in or out.

I cannot say how good it is for grocery use as the car is fully caged and does not drive on street. Parking and pit lane moving around is extremely easy;

Z4 non-powered rack is > Much better than the Old e30 power rack we deleted the power on with the delete kit.

[Holland]

Yeah there is - Been racing on it (24v e30 full race) the last 3 events; Z4 non-M

its quicker ratio just like Z3 but has MORE angle - and also is OEM BMW non-powered as the Z4 has electric steering assist built into the column.

Z4 rack is quite common as the masses have not yet realized its a plug and play affair ;)

I installed a z3 rack in my 97M3 in 2009, and prefer the Z4 non-powered rack for racing use over a powered Z3 rack or power-deleted Z3 rack.

Why spend money and time/energy to Delete the power steering when you can buy a Modern Z4 BMW OEM power deleted steering rack for less money?

Leave the z3 rack for one who desires Power steering and less overall angle- buy the Z4 bmw non powered unit.

Ok, you have my attention. Do you have any details on the rack? What model Z4? Progressive or linear?

[Wanganstyle]

Ok, you have my attention. Do you have any details on the rack? What model Z4? Progressive or linear?

All non m z4

They have all linear racks; infinate power assist variations in the electric steering column mounted assist.

In pursuit of efficiency ZF engineering has gone away from engine powered hydrolic assist steering as it's not as efficient as a on-demand electric assist motor mounted on the steering column


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[Holland]

All non m z4

They have all linear racks; infinate power assist variations in the electric steering column mounted assist.

In pursuit of efficiency ZF engineering has gone away from engine powered hydrolic assist steering as it's not as efficient as a on-demand electric assist motor mounted on the steering column


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Good to know. I'm going to do research but this is looking like the alternative.

[Wanganstyle]

Good to know. I'm going to do research but this is looking like the alternative.

Lol not much available research besides oem data as nobody else has fitted one to an e30 I know of.



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[Holland]

Lol not much available research besides oem data as nobody else has fitted one to an e30 I know of.



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I'm curious about the ratio between the two racks. Btw, is that plastic connecting to the steering knuckle?

[Wanganstyle]

I'm curious about the ratio between the two racks. Btw, is that plastic connecting to the steering knuckle?

Ratio the oem data should be there; much more useful than lock to lock #

All the 46+ racks have a plastic condom jacket over the shaft. Its not needed if you don't feel like covering the steering shaft. We kept it as many passes are 2 wheels off track and any dust shield will help prolong life.

Z4 rack has an awesome solid steel u joint setup with no rubber flex item like the original e30. Its super sized and needed to be cut down/welded to fit e30.

Tiny tim could make you a plug n play flaming river yoke if you had the budget. Much easier than what we had to do to fit this; we measured 5x and cut progressively untill fit was perfect; then dropped off for professional welding.

E36 steering outer tie rods were also used as the e46/z4 is too large diameter for e30 knuckles

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[joncrz]

so the z4 assist works on the e30? thats what I am having trouble comprehending.

[Wanganstyle]

so the z4 assist works on the e30? thats what I am having trouble comprehending.

If you are unable to turn the wheel without power steering then perhaps a gym membership and personal trainer are more critical to your health abd personal benefit than modifying an e30.

Think about it a little more...and read the title of this thread.....:)

Z4 power is electric computer controlled on the column; the rack is a manual rack.

Do you really think anyone is able to install the electric assist steering column in a full race caged e30?

Power steering in e30's is for wussies; it's not even needed for a street e30

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[L8 apexr]

Guess I'm a wuss,a 240 lb construction worker kinda wuss.I just swapped out the stock rack for an E46 unit,nice improvement in ratio but the effort went up noticably.As a long time autox'r and ice racer I know all this blah blah about improved steering feel means jack shit if you need to clamp the wheel hard and put your effort into turning it.You'll feel more with ps and a nice light grasp on the wheel.
I'll be putting ps back in(mine was bought with nothing),I know I'll be faster and enjoy the drive better.

[joncrz]

If you are unable to turn the wheel without power steering then perhaps a gym membership and personal trainer are more critical to your health abd personal benefit than modifying an e30.

Think about it a little more...and read the title of this thread.....:)

Z4 power is electric computer controlled on the column; the rack is a manual rack.

Do you really think anyone is able to install the electric assist steering column in a full race caged e30?

Power steering in e30's is for wussies; it's not even needed for a street e30

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This isn't a race e30. I was looking more towards a DD, (motor) power assisted implies the rack gets power externally unless there is a battery in column to assist the turning. IF it requires power externally then your backwards cryptic explanations doesn't help further the knowledge on this forum by not plainly divulging wiring schemes. Reading your comment further you (backwards cryptic explanation) imply that no, you don't benefit from any electrical assistance. So if one is looking for a DD rack which can handle some spirited driving on occasion then one should stick with a PS z3 combo. Unless I am getting it wrong due to poor explination.

"power steering then perhaps a gym membership and personal trainer are more critical to your health abd personal benefit than modifying an e30."

wow, I can't come up with a douchier way of letting everyone know how much of a prick you are. Congratulations, one more person has no respect for you. What do you seriously get out of acting this way? your not benefiting yourself, and you are definitely not benefiting the community. I seriously think this is why the z4 rack hasn't caught on....because no one wants to talk to you when you talk like your poop don't smell. Maybe you should give up the e30 and find yourself more at home on a mustang forum (no disrespect to anyone who owns one here).


so can anyone else explain the z4 rack in a informative non douche way? anyone? anyone?

[Wanganstyle]

This isn't a race e30. I was looking more towards a DD, (motor) power assisted implies the rack gets power externally unless there is a battery in column to assist the turning. IF it requires power externally then your backwards cryptic explanations doesn't help further the knowledge on this forum by not plainly divulging wiring schemes. Reading your comment further you (backwards cryptic explanation) imply that no, you don't benefit from any electrical assistance. So if one is looking for a DD rack which can handle some spirited driving on occasion then one should stick with a PS z3 combo. Unless I am getting it wrong due to poor explination.

"power steering then perhaps a gym membership and personal trainer are more critical to your health abd personal benefit than modifying an e30."

wow, I can't come up with a douchier way of letting everyone know how much of a prick you are. Congratulations, one more person has no respect for you. What do you seriously get out of acting this way? your not benefiting yourself, and you are definitely not benefiting the community. I seriously think this is why the z4 rack hasn't caught on....because no one wants to talk to you when you talk like your poop don't smell. Maybe you should give up the e30 and find yourself more at home on a mustang forum (no disrespect to anyone who owns one here).


so can anyone else explain the z4 rack in a informative non douche way? anyone? anyone?

actually no-one else can as nobody else has installed a Z4 non-M rack in a e30. I was the first to figure it out and execute;waffles



Drink alot of haterade this morning??

E30's are light enough to not need PS; this is my opinion - not :hitler:

The obvious TITLE OF THIS THREAD is about dis-able-ing the power steering of a Z3 rack with aftermarket parts; A Z4 non-M rack does not require these aftermarket bits to delete the PS.

if one was looking for a power steering rack related thread then the first step in reading comprehension would be to read the title of thread :) (not to hate on people posting information that you didn't know jack waffles about and are not hating on)


Why does anyone owe you wiring information for anything? this is not a charity or handout or USA government disability forum; this entire forum is a first world collection of problems known as the beloved BMW e30.

I wired up a S54b32 engine in my car back in 2009; and no wiring data was given out. In regards to BMW + electronics; if you have the cognitive ability to execute and complete the installation you don't need your hand held.

I have a pansy rack on my grocery mobile. its a e36 and a FAT LARD; im also a lazy lard so I need the ps.

e46M3 power steering rack is very similar angle and ratio to Z4 but it is POWERED; plug and play just like a e36M steering rack (mine is installed in the e36m grocery machine).


IF one desires to have POWERED hydrolic assist steering but NO power steering pump there is one more option:

install Mercedes electronic hydrolic PS pump to power the rack - This is commonly done in race car e36/e46's that have giant slicks and need power steering to turn them