98 M3 rack and pinion swap questions

[88 ragtop]

Hello all
I’m new to the E30 scene and have some questions about rack and pinion swaps. So I have found a rack out of a 98 M3 locally and want to know if this would be a good swap for my 88 cabrio, looking for one that will make the steering a bit more responsive. I thought I seen a thread here a while back where someone said that a 96 M3 Is a progressive one?Is that the case and would a rack out of a 98 M3 be the same and would this be a good update. Thanks, Geoff.

[jeffnhiscars]

the 95 M3 is the only e36 rack thats progressive. Highly over rated IMO. Stick with what you have and enjoy the hell out of it...IMHO :-)

[roguetoaster]

Get a normal E36 rack.

The difference in feel between my similarly maintained 318ti and 91 318i is easily noticeable. It would be a good improvement for an otherwise standard E30 or it will leak like any other E36 item.

[jeffnhiscars]

To clarify I mean use the 98 M3 rack which IS a normal e36 rack.

[Mook613]

IIRC the E36 M racks had lock limits to prevent the full steering angle as the suspension geometry for the M cars didn't allow for the same angle as the non-M cars.

The E36 rack (regardless of M or not) would be an upgrade over the E30 rack, but it's not ideal. A non-M rack would be better, but even better than that is a Z3 rack or an E46 rack.

[ELVA164]

The 95 M3 rack is lock limited and a slower ratio than any other E36 rack. Any other E36 rack will be great and a big improvement over what you currently have. M3 racks from years other than 95 are also limited, but have the same basic ratio as a regular E36 rack. In other words, you'll lose a bit of turning radius. Anything quicker ratio-wise is splitting hairs unless you're autocrossing or something. The Z3M rack is the only linear one.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=172261

[wworm]

Ive got a 99 m3 rack ad iirc the ratios are the same as an e36 but the fluid channels/holes are a little smaller so that the steering is a little heavier for the m cars. I'm a huge fan of the swap. Made things significantly more responsive but I can still drive around easily in parking lots.

[TobyB]

Aren't the 'lock limits' just collars that sit on each end between the rack and the inner tie
rod joint?

As in, you can 'de limit' them pretty easily?

t