e36 rack upgrade

[mattyb]

just wondering which e36 has the shortest ratio steering rack.

cheers for reading.

[e30-EVN]

E46 racks are supposed to be less turns lock to lock mate, e46 clubsport less again but they are expensive!

[charlE30]

Please try using the search function, this topic has been covered soooooo many times now. Search both e30chat and technical and all your questions will be answered.

One thread to get you started

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ack+ratios

When using the search function I always find better results by selecting "Search for all terms" instead of "Search for any"

HTH

Charlie

[Dave_M3]

E46 racks are supposed to be less turns lock to lock mate, e46 clubsport less again but they are expensive!

Yes but E46 Compact racks are cheap enough

[mattyb]

nice one cheers buys. z3 it is

[Dave_M3]

No, Z3 rack isn't all that its cracked upto be. sure it has 2.7 turns but considering it has more intrusive lock stops, it has more or less the same or possibly a slower ratio than the Clubsport racks.

E46 Clubsport and E46 compacts have the same racks however so it opens up the field in trying to source one...

Just don't tell scrappies that the compact has something actually useful though or they'll be as expensive as the Clubsport or M3 racks

[mattyb]

so what i need is an e36 compact rack. as there the same as a clubsport.

[Dave_M3]

no, E46 compact.

[mattyb]

right got you will have a look now, got quoted 250 plus delivery for a z3 rack. absolute joke.

[Brianmoooore]

just wondering which e36 has the shortest ratio steering rack

Unfortunately, like many things in life, the answer's not that straightforward.
Some racks have a variable ratio, where, in the centre part, they're not fast at all, and some have locks fitted, which just restricts the amount they travel, giving less turns lock to lock, but no faster than others.

[mattyb]

theres not many for sale, bit of a nightmare to find

[Dave_M3]

right got you will have a look now, got quoted 250 plus delivery for a z3 rack. absolute joke.

I sold 3 or 4 of them for 250 euro over the last few years, lol.
They are a lovely rack if you don't need full travel of the steering as in if you don't do much tail-twitching antics whereas the clubsport rack has an advantage over the Z3 one.

Also, nearly every Z3 rack I know of has needed reconditioning at some point so wondering do they wear alot more than the others.


ironically, my Clubsport rack only cost me £60

[ross_jsy]

Out of interest, are the stops that intrusive during driving? I spend a lot of time with the tail out.

With my daily e36 316i I quite like the rack. It's almost quick enough so anything a touch quicker will be lovely

[mattyb]

so a clubsport rack is the same as an e46 compact rack. clubsport rack about 200 quid compact rack about 100 quid. insane

edit.

just read on another bmw forum that an e46 compact only has the same rack as a clubsport if the compact has sport suspension.

can anyone clarify this. cheers

[e301988325i]

Out of interest, are the stops that intrusive during driving? I spend a lot of time with the tail out.

With my daily e36 316i I quite like the rack. It's almost quick enough so anything a touch quicker will be lovely

The stops can be removed from the rack in less than 5 minutes with the tie rod ends removed.

[ross_jsy]

I shall see if they interfere.

Just finished bolting up the m52 mani's and getting the rack in place. Does anyone know if the spacers go above or below the rack and do you use the front or rear mounting holes?

[Dave_M3]

to get it perfect, 8mm spacers below and 6mm at the top with the rack in the rear holes.

[Dezzy]

to get it perfect, 8mm spacers below and 6mm at the top with the rack in the rear holes.

I have 12mm on top in the back holes. Z3 rack. I havn,t noticed any less lock. It has been a while since i have drove an E30 with a standard rack though, as its the first thing i change. They are completely ridiculous standard. I get plenty of tail out action as well. 40% lock up LSD and Z3 rack FTW

[mattyb]

well i managed to get myself an e46 compact rack same as clubsport. so does anyone know what parts i need to get the rack fitted. i have the spacers and im just going to reshape my power steering pipes. but what do i need to join it to the steering column.

cheers

[Dezzy]

There is a few ways to do it. Pm Danthe. Toi do it right you want a set of his ps pipes too!