zionsville steering rack conversion?

[Brian 89 325i]

I was just checking that out and the have a 2.70 rack now. What car is that from?

Brian

[MattM20]

a Z3. ive been calling them for 4 months now, and they never have any in stock. they wont even sell the modified coupler without one of their used racks.

[Rob]

that would almost be too quick for a street car....I absolutely love the rack in an 95 m3 however, whats that? 3.2?


I know I've asked this before, but I wonder if you can do this with a 90-91 since is says "Non-Airbag cars only". I guess that means cars with existing airbags, unlike mine haha

[MattM20]

that would almost be too quick for a street car....I absolutely love the rack in an 95 m3 however, whats that? 3.2?

3.0 according to zionsville

i think current non-M e46's use 3.0 aswell

[Addissimo]

just any old z3? Doesnt have to be powered by M otorsport?

[rwh11385]

I guess that means cars with existing airbags, unlike mine haha

word.

Zionsville is a little town off of Indianapolis, and I've been there a couple times. (ZA that is, I've been to the town many times.....) Pretty much they dismantle cars and sell good, quality used parts. So, if they don't have one in stock, it's because they don't have one right now.

But they helped me out when I needed a used caliper. :up:

[James Crivellone]

that would almost be too quick for a street car....I absolutely love the rack in an 95 m3 however, whats that? 3.2?


I know I've asked this before, but I wonder if you can do this with a 90-91 since is says "Non-Airbag cars only". I guess that means cars with existing airbags, unlike mine haha

I put a 1990 M3 Steering rack (airbag car) into my 86 325 without any issues, just had to remove the steering linkage (which pops off)

I see no reason why it would not work

[Charlie]

I believe that the 2.70 rack is from a 1.9 Z3 to be exact. Let me go back and search some archives, I think this came up on the Ti list.

-Charlie

[Digitalwave]

that would almost be too quick for a street car....I absolutely love the rack in an 95 m3 however, whats that? 3.2?


I know I've asked this before, but I wonder if you can do this with a 90-91 since is says "Non-Airbag cars only". I guess that means cars with existing airbags, unlike mine haha

Airbag cars have completely different steering columns so it might be an issue. The pedals from a non-airbag car certainly didn't work in my airbag car (even though I don't have the airbag wheel anymore, its still a different steering column).

[James Crivellone]

that would almost be too quick for a street car....I absolutely love the rack in an 95 m3 however, whats that? 3.2?


I know I've asked this before, but I wonder if you can do this with a 90-91 since is says "Non-Airbag cars only". I guess that means cars with existing airbags, unlike mine haha

Airbag cars have completely different steering columns so it might be an issue. The pedals from a non-airbag car certainly didn't work in my airbag car (even though I don't have the airbag wheel anymore, its still a different steering column).

The flange at the steering rack is the same though, just unbolt, remove, and rebolt

I honestly didn't see any difference

[SpencerM3]

All non-M Z3 cars have the same rack. The ETK P/N's are the same.

The 95 M3 and Non-M Z3's have the same steering ratio but the Z3's have less turns to lock. This is because the 95 M3 has a variable ratio and the Z3 has a linear ratio. So the 95 M3 is a bit slower off center and then quickens up. The Z3 has the same quick ratio off center.

I've got a Z3 rack in my garage going into my 95 M3. This should help with the slow off center feeling I get.

Keep an eye on ebay. I saw a Z3 rack go for $180.

[bmw4aaron]

that would almost be too quick for a street car....I absolutely love the rack in an 95 m3 however, whats that? 3.2?


I know I've asked this before, but I wonder if you can do this with a 90-91 since is says "Non-Airbag cars only". I guess that means cars with existing airbags, unlike mine haha

It's a direct bolt in, just gota loosen up the nut on the column, and pull out enough to make it mate up.

[SpencerM3]

So what is so special about the kit that ZA sells?

I've heard that E36 racks will bolt right into an E30... so i'm assuming this isn't true? Is the "coupler" that ZA sells a special made piece?

[Schniddy]

why would u want to replace your steering rack to begine with? Newbie question sry

[rwh11385]

why would u want to replace your steering rack to begine with? Newbie question sry

A changed ratio would make the steering quicker. So that less turns would have to be made to make the car change course.