1.9 z3 rack swap- e30 or z3 outer tie rods?

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  • BadfishTX
    Wrencher
    • Sep 2012
    • 270

    #1

    1.9 z3 rack swap- e30 or z3 outer tie rods?

    I am doing a 93 Cabrio vert w/ airbag 1.9 z3 rack swap today. Do I need to use the e30 outer tie rods or the z3 tie rods. Any benefit to either?
  • willworkfore30s
    E30 Enthusiast
    • Aug 2011
    • 1090

    #2
    I used both inner and outer e30 tie rods. I essentially unbolted my e30 rack and bolted in the z3 rack. Never took the tie rods out of the spindles. Your steering knuckle should be a direct fit. All you really need to do is notch your firewall so the steering shaft doesn't rub or bind against it.
    sigpic

    Comment

    • karmatose
      Advanced Member
      • Sep 2011
      • 114

      #3
      I used E36 tie rods (inners/outers) because they look beefier. Either work but don't mix the two. If you are using E30 inners, use e30 outers, etc.
      "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. " - Han Solo

      Comment

      • Todd Black 88
        No R3VLimiter
        • Oct 2007
        • 3449

        #4
        I used the stock z3 inners and outers. They fit fine.
        Originally posted by codyep3
        I hope to Christ you have looks going for you, because you sure as fuck don't have any intelligence.
        2001 silver/Blk 325 cabby. SOLD
        1988 Blk/Blk e30 factory wide body kit car SOLD
        1992 DS/BLK 325 m-tech II apperance pack cabby SOLD!
        2002 325xit Sil/blk. SOLD
        2012 328i xdrive touring. Wht/blk. SOLD
        2009 135 cabby. monacoblue/blk leather SOLD
        2007 Z4m coupe. Silver grey/black/ aluminum. 1of50
        2010 F650gs twin
        2016 M235i cabby. Mineral grey/Red leather

        Comment

        • BadfishTX
          Wrencher
          • Sep 2012
          • 270

          #5
          Hmm.. Well I should have done my research about this a little better. I bought the z3 rack from a junk yard. Had it rebuilt by a local place in Houston. When I got the rack back it had new boots and what looks like new inner tie rods. The gave be back the old tie rod z3 assemblies. I purchased full e36 tie rod assemblies to install on the rack. The look exactly the same as the z3 tie rods. I guess I am just going to install the old z3 outer's on the new inner's and be done with it. They do look beefier than the e30's.

          Comment

          • Todd Black 88
            No R3VLimiter
            • Oct 2007
            • 3449

            #6
            The outer e36 will work on the z3 inners. They are the same
            Originally posted by codyep3
            I hope to Christ you have looks going for you, because you sure as fuck don't have any intelligence.
            2001 silver/Blk 325 cabby. SOLD
            1988 Blk/Blk e30 factory wide body kit car SOLD
            1992 DS/BLK 325 m-tech II apperance pack cabby SOLD!
            2002 325xit Sil/blk. SOLD
            2012 328i xdrive touring. Wht/blk. SOLD
            2009 135 cabby. monacoblue/blk leather SOLD
            2007 Z4m coupe. Silver grey/black/ aluminum. 1of50
            2010 F650gs twin
            2016 M235i cabby. Mineral grey/Red leather

            Comment

            • joncrz
              Grease Monkey
              • Jul 2013
              • 364

              #7
              Originally posted by BadfishTX
              Hmm.. Well I should have done my research about this a little better. I bought the z3 rack from a junk yard. Had it rebuilt by a local place in Houston. When I got the rack back it had new boots and what looks like new inner tie rods. The gave be back the old tie rod z3 assemblies. I purchased full e36 tie rod assemblies to install on the rack. The look exactly the same as the z3 tie rods. I guess I am just going to install the old z3 outer's on the new inner's and be done with it. They do look beefier than the e30's.
              where did you get it rebuilt and how much?





              My don't quote me list:

              Originally posted by george graves
              I could be wrong, but I don't think it's a smog test type of thing. IIRC think it's against CA law to *sell* a dual outlet muffler as a replacement for a car that came from the factory with a single. But don't quote me on that.

              Comment

              • BadfishTX
                Wrencher
                • Sep 2012
                • 270

                #8
                Originally posted by joncrz
                where did you get it rebuilt and how much?
                Bought the rack from a junkyard for $120. Had it rebuilt by a company in Houston called A.S.A.P that I deal with frequently at the shop I work at. They replace all the seals, boots, and inner tie rods and put a 3 yr warranty on it for $175. A Maval rack from IMC is $$252.44 plus a $150 core at my shop cost. World-Pac is $261.10 and $250 for a core. My core is broken so I came out ahead this way.

                Comment

                • joncrz
                  Grease Monkey
                  • Jul 2013
                  • 364

                  #9
                  Nice, I feel ripped off now I bought a z3 rack for 150 at a yard. I should have waited for a better deal, but I did end up with all the hoses and reservoir. I am considering rebuilding it just so it lasts a long while.





                  My don't quote me list:

                  Originally posted by george graves
                  I could be wrong, but I don't think it's a smog test type of thing. IIRC think it's against CA law to *sell* a dual outlet muffler as a replacement for a car that came from the factory with a single. But don't quote me on that.

                  Comment

                  • BadfishTX
                    Wrencher
                    • Sep 2012
                    • 270

                    #10
                    Originally posted by joncrz
                    Nice, I feel ripped off now I bought a z3 rack for 150 at a yard. I should have waited for a better deal, but I did end up with all the hoses and reservoir. I am considering rebuilding it just so it lasts a long while.
                    The website I use for locating junkyard parts is www.car-part.com . It categorizes parts by type,distance, price, and grade. Check it out next time.

                    Comment

                    • joncrz
                      Grease Monkey
                      • Jul 2013
                      • 364

                      #11
                      Very Nice. I might hit some of them up. How did you know yours was busted? When I got mine I did the usual pull on the tie rods and move them around listening for pops.





                      My don't quote me list:

                      Originally posted by george graves
                      I could be wrong, but I don't think it's a smog test type of thing. IIRC think it's against CA law to *sell* a dual outlet muffler as a replacement for a car that came from the factory with a single. But don't quote me on that.

                      Comment

                      • JinormusJ
                        R3V OG
                        • Dec 2011
                        • 6887

                        #12
                        Originally posted by BadfishTX
                        The website I use for locating junkyard parts is www.car-part.com . It categorizes parts by type,distance, price, and grade. Check it out next time.
                        I'm going to start utilizing this reference. It will become exceedingly useful when I start wanting to track down hard to find OEM upgrades

                        Comment

                        • Zreberlcoe
                          E30 Mastermind
                          • Jan 2012
                          • 1555

                          #13
                          What gain do you get out of a z3 swap?
                          1991 325i Calypso Coupe

                          Like Grandfather, Like Father, Like Son
                          BMW

                          Comment

                          • eduTechnic
                            E30 Addict
                            • Dec 2012
                            • 400

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Zreberlcoe
                            What gain do you get out of a z3 swap?
                            This gives a good explanation of that: Much tighter steering rack
                            Turbo M50 4 Door Build thread here 4 Sale thread

                            Comment

                            • Zreberlcoe
                              E30 Mastermind
                              • Jan 2012
                              • 1555

                              #15
                              I guess this is a better question. For someone very inexperience, what is the benefit compared to the pain of doing the swap?
                              1991 325i Calypso Coupe

                              Like Grandfather, Like Father, Like Son
                              BMW

                              Comment

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