Steering rack swap ... I know it's been covered

[fastboy559]

Getting ready to redo the intire suspension along with rack... The car will be street drivin but I want it to be setup for track days and drift events...
I want to hear from people with what racks you swapped and how you like them and what you do with the car.... I'm leaning in the direction of z3 non m

[e30_302]

Z3 rack in my Lemons/ChumpCar E30. First time at the track with it last weekend; absolutely wonderful.

[JGood]

For the best value, I think the normal e36 rack is the way to go. From what I've gathered, they are the same ratio as the 96-99 M3 racks. They are $165 from rack doctor, fully rebuilt with a lifetime warranty. I currently have a 95 M3 rack that is leaking, and I'll be replacing it with one of those.

[jeffnhiscars]

+1 for RackDr. Ive bought 3 e36s from him and they come new inner tie rods

[irish44j]

For the best value, I think the normal e36 rack is the way to go. From what I've gathered, they are the same ratio as the 96-99 M3 racks. They are $165 from rack doctor, fully rebuilt with a lifetime warranty. I currently have a 95 M3 rack that is leaking, and I'll be replacing it with one of those.

this.

cheaper and easy to find in any pick and pull yard these days off regular e36s. I think I got mine for $40 or so and it's held up fine to three years of rallycross beating.

[The White Guy]

this.

cheaper and easy to find in any pick and pull yard these days off regular e36s. I think I got mine for $40 or so and it's held up fine to three years of rallycross beating.

True that,
But for a street only car, I would never give up my E36/Z3 Non- M 2.7 rack.., especially since I went to a Z3 1.9 Short shifter/DSSR/ZDP/Delrin bushings/shifter rebuild in the 318is. Precision in both areas means so much to the overall feel of the car. Then again, this is for a M42 powered car so your results may vary..Clutch/lightened flywheel from M20 also.
Thanks

Stan

[Just Scott]

rackdoctor is great.

I used an E46 rack in mine. They set it up perfect for my car with the E30 inners.

[The White Guy]

rackdoctor is great.

I used an E46 rack in mine. They set it up perfect for my car with the E30 inners.

That brings up a question about rack doctor. They are right up the road from me in Hemingway SC, I wonder if they could stuff Non M Z-3 2.7 ratio gearing into my old E30 rack from the 318is?
If they could, it would be a 100% bolt on mod. No firewall cutting or spacers or hardline bending.

Stan

[jeffnhiscars]

That brings up a question about rack doctor. They are right up the road from me in Hemingway SC, I wonder if they could stuff Non M Z-3 2.7 ratio gearing into my old E30 rack from the 318is?
If they could, it would be a 100% bolt on mod. No firewall cutting or spacers or hardline bending.

Stan

My instincts say no, but Rich (the rackdr) is extremely knowledgeable so just ask him.

[The White Guy]

"My instincts say no, but Rich (the rackdr) is extremely knowledgeable so just ask him."

Yeah,
I kind of figured that it might not be possible. But it would be nice and could provide a "niche" market for him and the E30 community. I think allot more people would do the swap if it were a little simpler and more plug and play.

I know that both rack cases are physically different, E36 Z3 rack is a plated steel tube, E30 rack is cast aluminum like most other older euro racks.
Stan

[EthirtyIS]

i used the e36 318i rack in my convertible, and i love it so far, installing it was easy, little massaging on the firewall, 1/2' SS spacers made on the lathe, and a little tweak on the hard line. best $50 i ever spent.

[The White Guy]

i used the e36 318i rack in my convertible, and i love it so far, installing it was easy, little massaging on the firewall, 1/2' SS spacers made on the lathe, and a little tweak on the hard line. best $50 i ever spent.

Wish mine was that easy, oh well, had my cross brace out also as I was re doing my suspension and having reinforcement plates and tabs welded on.

Stan