UNCOMMON Z3 Rack Question

[EDirty325]

I've searched, I promise. I know that there are at least 5,000 posts out there related to E30 owners upgrading to E36 Z3 racks, and I'm fairly confident that's the road I want to take. The question that I cannot seem to find the answer to is, which outer tie rods should I be using with a Z3 rack?? Do the stock E30 outers thread directly onto the Z3 inners, or is there upgrade potential there as well?

Caveat to that, Maval or ZF racks? Love rackdoctor, but can't afford such a large core charge since all I have to return is the stock E30 rack which they will not accept... What about going into Advance/AutoZone/OReillys and buying a 96 1.9L Z3 rack with a good warranty? Any downside to that, other than the obvious risk?

As always, any help is much appreciated!

[EDirty325]

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/maval-steering-rack-with-inner-tie-rods-m1000131635mav/10779208-P?searchTerm=rack#fragment-1

$304.58 with $275 core charge, lifetime warranty.. Wonder if they'd accept the E30 rack as the core? Looks like a pretty good deal to me, especially because if anything turns out to be wrong with it I can drive right back to the store and return or exchange it.

[raudonis]

z3 rack is an obsolete outdated upgrade for the e30 IMHO. Overpriced too.
It is quick, but your max steering angle will be noticeable REDUCED from the factory e30 rack!
I advice 3.0 turns rack from e46 330i. Although there are slightly more turns lock-to-lock compared to z3, your max steering angle will be greatly INCREASED.
Just don't hook on ZHP racks, these carry the model TAX just as the z3.

[EDirty325]

z3 rack is an obsolete outdated upgrade for the e30 IMHO. Overpriced too.
It is quick, but your max steering angle will be noticeable REDUCED from the factory e30 rack!
I advice 3.0 turns rack from e46 330i. Although there are slightly more turns lock-to-lock compared to z3, your max steering angle will be greatly INCREASED.
Just don't hook on ZHP racks, these carry the model TAX just as the z3.

Excuse my ignorance but what exactly does steering angle refer to? What are the benefits/downsides? Of the hundreds of posts I've read of people raving about how much they love their Z3 rack on their E30 I don't think I ever once saw steering angle mentioned although I was not looking for it either. Now I'm curious, please explain...

[digger]

i actually found the opposite when i installed a z3 rack, the turning circle is tighter now so its alot easier to park.

[frantic]

I have a Z3 rack, Didn't notice any of this decreased turning radius.

You can use either e30 inner and outer tie rods, or e36 inner and outer.

[berlow94]

Definitelt have increased steering angle since I installed my Z3 rack as well. Can't remember which tie rods I'm using for inner and outer.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[Gnarles]

same here, no reduction in turning radius with the z3 rack. You need to either run inner and outer e30 tie rods or e36 inner and outer. You cannot mix and match inners and outers from the different models. Blunt sells maval z3 racks FYI.

[ManSalad]

I found my z3 rack on car-parts.com for only $100 with low mileage and perfect boots. It came with the tie rod's as well. Had my buddy install them and not sure if he replaced the tie rods or not. But I did not get a reduced steering angle either.

[EDirty325]

Okay so I'm assuming the steering angle affects the turning radius, and it seems as though that theory has been busted by many people who are actually using the z3 rack lol. Thanks guys!

same here, no reduction in turning radius with the z3 rack. You need to either run inner and outer e30 tie rods or e36 inner and outer. You cannot mix and match inners and outers from the different models. Blunt sells maval z3 racks FYI.

Again, I blame my ignorance.. Blunt? User or store? Googling it now although I think I know what I'm going to see hahaha

EDIT: blunttech... got it haha. Google is amazing

[R3Z3N]

i actually found the opposite when i installed a z3 rack, the turning circle is tighter now so its alot easier to park.

I installed limiters as I'm running 275s on a 8.5in rim. Want to go 295if I can. I just drop clutch and turn.....