Zionsville quick ratio kit impressions....

[erik325i]

Which one do you like best? Is it worth the time/money/effort to swap in a 95 m3 rack if not I might just call bmr for a stock rack.

It is definately worth it to swap in a '95 m3 or a z3 rack. I have a '97 m3 rack in my car right now, and it's better than stock, but probably not worth the effort.
If you have an airbag car, it's probably worth using an e30 m3 rack for ease of installation.

The first rack I bought was a '97 m3 rack. It is noticeably quicker than stock, but not by too much. I wouldn't really recommend this rack because it's not too different than stock. Then I bought a '95 m3 rack to replace my '97 rack for. I haven't gotten around to installing this one yet, but I know it will feel much better than my current '97 m3 rack.
I then bought a z3 rack to install into my m3. I haven't gotten a chance to drive with that rack either.

-Erik

[C ///M]

There has been some inaccurate info as well as opinions posted here, so I'm just going to post some facts for people.

E30 M3 Rack: 3.5 turns lock to lock, direct swap
E36 Standard Rack: 3.5 turns lock to lock, requires "kit"
E36 M3 '96+ Rack: 3.25 turns lock to lock, requires "kit" Supposedly slower off-center
E36 M3 '95 Rack: 3.0 turns lock to lock, requires "kit"
Z3 Rack: 2.7 turns lock to lock. Requires "kit" SAME STEERING RATIO AS '95 M3, but less travel. Your overall turning circle (like making a u-turn) will INCREASE (get worse) with this rack.

Opinion: Best rack for the job is the '95 M3 rack. You get the quickest steering with no negative turning circle effects. If you're running some outrageously wide wheels/tires, the z3 rack would be the better choice because it stops earlier.

[bmwdude]

I installed the 95 M3 rack in a few years ago, and in retrospect, it has been one of the most enjoyable mods I have ever made on the car! That aside from the turbo of course....

[E30_pilot]

Z3 rack in mine..And it Make the e30 alot more fun...favorite mod i done..and most enjoyable

[nefarious7907]

If you have been on a small tight Auto-X course then you could really appreciate a faster rack. My rack doesnt leak or anything but I shouldnt have to really cross my arms to get the car through tight turns and that why I cant wait to get a hold of an 95 M3 rack

[JGood]

I just bought a 95 M3 rack with 67k miles from Euro Depot for $167.00 shipped 8)

[Reynard38]

Very happy with the Zionville 2.7 rack. Great kit, instructions on DVD. Worth the $$. Makes the car lots more fun to drive.

[damiendawson]

I have an M rack, and I have to say it's like driving sex...

but I can't really help with any comparisons to other racks, I'm just saying that it's pretty baller.

[sweetride01]

3 questions:

1. The Zionsville kits make use of a used rack. From other people's experiences, are they always low mileage/good condition racks?
2. I saw on some other thread (it was a DIY rack swap) where someone mentioned a certain part would cause a loss in the ability of the steering column to crumple... maybe it was a custom part he was using, but is there any chance of this with the Zionsville swap?
3. What's the approximate # of hours to complete the Zionsville swap for someone who knows what they're doing, and is it a difficult job for someone who doesn't?

[bastianshaw]

stock steering is really the only thing i dont like about e30' and even that isnt that bad
95 m3 rack ftw $550 seems really steep for a steering rack

[erik325i]

3 questions:

1. The Zionsville kits make use of a used rack. From other people's experiences, are they always low mileage/good condition racks?
2. I saw on some other thread (it was a DIY rack swap) where someone mentioned a certain part would cause a loss in the ability of the steering column to crumple... maybe it was a custom part he was using, but is there any chance of this with the Zionsville swap?
3. What's the approximate # of hours to complete the Zionsville swap for someone who knows what they're doing, and is it a difficult job for someone who doesn't?

1. I've only dealt with one rack from Zionsville that we put into a customer's car. It looked like an average condition used rack. Nothing spectacular.
2. There is a rubber flex disk in the middle of the steering linkage. Some people have replaced that piece with a solid aluminum disc. If you do that, then yes, you are losing the ability to crumple. It is not necessary to replace the rubber disc with an aluminum one though.
3. I think I spent two afternoons installing the rack in my car the first time. I don't know the exact number of hours. It's kind of a pain in the ass job.

The three basic parts of this job are: modifying the steering linkage, bending the high pressure e36 PS hose, and installing the rack.

I bought the instruction CD from Zionsville and thought it was well worth the fifteen or twenty dollars I paid for it.

-Erik

[sweetride01]

Thanks Erik for the good response. Much appreciated.

Perhaps I will find a good low mileage rack myself, then get the other parts from Zionsville.

[Garageaholic]

I have a '95 m3 rack and love it. it's so sporty. I didn't use the zionsville kit though. I built it up myself and bought the rack from eurasion motorsports for like $180, it was pretty cheap. included the tie rods too. Then i went to lowes and built up the spacers myself from the random shit that they have in the hardware section.

[RyanZ06]

So, my car has an air bag steering wheel... My options are limited to an E30 M3 steering rack? I have access to a 95 M3 parts car, is it possible to use the steering rack off that car? Thanks!

[fazio8118]

So, my car has an air bag steering wheel... My options are limited to an E30 M3 steering rack? I have access to a 95 M3 parts car, is it possible to use the steering rack off that car? Thanks!

Yes you can use the 95 rack. I have a 99m3 rack in my car (which is also a airbag car). You just have to trim some of the firewall for the steering shaft