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Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:14 pm
by SAP1
Hello all!
I’ve managed to find a Z3 2.7 Turn rack (3213 1094038)
As per the wiki ‘ The fastest rack, and no need for a custom steering linkage, makes this the perfect rack.’
Is it really that easy to fit this rack? Can I still use E30 power steering lines or do I need custom ones?
Cheers
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:21 am
by reggid
its not a direct fit for either of the linkage or power steering lines
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:57 am
by BristolE30
reggid wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:21 am
its not a direct fit for either of the linkage or power steering lines
I’ve heard that for RHD it is for the linkage? Not 100% sure though
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:02 am
by SAP1
reggid wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:21 am
its not a direct fit for either of the linkage or power steering lines
I’ve seen mixed information on this, I think it’s LHD that need an extension of the UJ
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:04 am
by SAP1
BristolE30 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:57 am
reggid wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:21 am
its not a direct fit for either of the linkage or power steering lines
I’ve heard that for RHD it is for the linkage? Not 100% sure though
I’ve heard this too!
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:42 pm
by reggid
i think the length is still wrong, i use first used the E36/E30 hybrid with my Z3 rack but it shagged out in a few years, but now have the DanThe solid one spline shaft that uses E34 UJ or something IIRC which is what i recommend . Contact DanThe
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:23 am
by DanThe
The Z3 rack is pretty much the same dimensions as an E36 rack, you will still have exhaust/linkage clearance issues and you will still have to change the pipework
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:42 am
by BristolE30
DanThe wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:23 am
The Z3 rack is pretty much the same dimensions as an E36 rack, you will still have exhaust/linkage clearance issues and you will still have to change the pipework
Hi Dan,
In your opinion which is the easiest rack swap? The E46 one?
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:59 pm
by DanThe
There is no difference
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 7:31 pm
by BristolE30
DanThe wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:59 pm
There is no difference
Fair enough, how much are your linkage adapters and custom pipes? For the E46 and the Z3
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:16 am
by reggid
bear in mind that there is a difference between the racks so the E36 rack might fit some exhasust manifolds but not others. case in point is the Z3 rack does not clear the BTB3 manifold. the BTB3 was made for the E36 racks but there is interfence with the Z3. ask me how i know
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 12:16 pm
by JungleGus
reggid wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:16 am
bear in mind that there is a difference between the racks so the E36 rack might fit some exhasust manifolds but not others. case in point is the Z3 rack does not clear the BTB3 manifold. the BTB3 was made for the E36 racks but there is interfence with the Z3. ask me how i know
Ouch...
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:26 am
by reggid
JungleGus wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2020 12:16 pm
reggid wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:16 am
bear in mind that there is a difference between the racks so the E36 rack might fit some exhasust manifolds but not others. case in point is the Z3 rack does not clear the BTB3 manifold. the BTB3 was made for the E36 racks but there is interfence with the Z3. ask me how i know
Ouch...
yeah was not a happy camper, fortunately it was relatively close and was able to get it to work
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:46 am
by Andyboy
E36 and Z3 racks are physically identical. They are a direct swap with no mods required. The E46 rack also fits the E36 and Z3 with E36 track rods.
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:39 pm
by DanThe
The fabled 2.7 turn Z3 unit usually has a steel body and as such is a different physical shape, ive never looked close enough to see if anything other than the main hydraulic connections/mountings are different though
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:03 am
by E30Fitz
Got a z3 rack on my car, no power steering, 325 linkage assembly. It's heavy at parking speeds, but nice once on the go.
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:59 am
by BristolE30
E30Fitz wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:03 am
Got a z3 rack on my car, no power steering, 325 linkage assembly. It's heavy at parking speeds, but nice once on the go.
Did you modify linkage?
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 2:54 pm
by E30Fitz
Yes I did, followed the info for the swop from the wiki pages on here.
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 12:02 am
by Hinny
DanThe wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:59 pm
There is no difference
Thats annoying, I've literally just got my hands on one same as OP purely for not having to change this.
How much are your linkages and lines please mate?
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:54 pm
by MrriS
I have a Z3 rack in mij (LHD) 318iS and got it too fit with the (shorter) linkage that was allready in my (powersteering) car...
I do however have the issue that the stock E30 pressure lines will not, ever (no mather how many times and how carreful i try with new crusher washers) work without leaking.
+ I have a weird "scraping/rubbing" sound when i turn my wheel..
Do i need custom pressrure lines, or will the E36 line work?
Do i need to adapt the firewall? To get rid of the noise..
Hoping DanThe will jump in here
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 6:07 pm
by martauto
MrriS wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:54 pm
I have a Z3 rack in mij (LHD) 318iS and got it too fit with the (shorter) linkage that was allready in my (powersteering) car...
I do however have the issue that the stock E30 pressure lines will not, ever (no mather how many times and how carreful i try with new crusher washers) work without leaking.
+ I have a weird "scraping/rubbing" sound when i turn my wheel..
Do i need custom pressrure lines, or will the E36 line work?
Do i need to adapt the firewall? To get rid of the noise..
Hoping DanThe will jump in here
Dan`s your man mate !!!!
Mart.
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:59 pm
by MrriS
Thx, i dm'd him.. wanted the info to be publicly available but i'm also quit anxious to get this sorted after all this time
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 3:02 pm
by MrriS
MrriS wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:54 pm
I have a Z3 rack in mij (LHD) 318iS and got it too fit with the (shorter) linkage that was allready in my (powersteering) car...
I do however have the issue that the stock E30 pressure lines will not, ever (no mather how many times and how carreful i try with new crusher washers) work without leaking.
+ I have a weird "scraping/rubbing" sound when i turn my wheel..
Do i need custom pressrure lines, or will the E36 line work?
Do i need to adapt the firewall? To get rid of the noise..
Hmh.. anybody else got some advice? Seems like Dan is a bit busy.. which i full understand, but i would really love to find a solution
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:58 am
by rix313
reggid wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:21 am
its not a direct fit for either of the linkage or power steering lines
Incorrect on the linkage. It is a standard PAS E30 linkage.
You 'can' bend the standard lines, but I spent a couple of hours on it and it was hard work, looked crap and I wished I didn't bother. Best thing to do is buy a pipe kit from BM Conversions, save the hassle and have new lines.
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:29 pm
by MrriS
rix313 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:58 am
reggid wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:21 am
its not a direct fit for either of the linkage or power steering lines
Incorrect on the linkage. It is a standard PAS E30 linkage.
You 'can' bend the standard lines, but I spent a couple of hours on it and it was hard work, looked crap and I wished I didn't bother. Best thing to do is buy a pipe kit from BM Conversions, save the hassle and have new lines.
Too bad they aren't available in LHD / Europe
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 10:47 am
by DanThe
I do a kit for S14 LHD but am yet to make lines for other engines, there is hardly any demand for them here, I can of course make up new lines on your car in my workshop
As for the linkages, depending on which rack and the position in the subframe you mount it in, the standard linkage may well fit with no engine in the bay, but if it gives enough clearance to an exhaust manifold is a differnt story, as a general rule the linkage will need shortening, see link -
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2023 7:49 am
by MrriS
MrriS wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:54 pm
I have a Z3 2.7 rack in mij (LHD) 318iS and got it too fit with the (shorter) linkage that was allready in my (powersteering) car...
I do however have the issue that the stock E30 pressure lines will not, ever (no mather how many times and how carreful i try with new crusher washers) work without leaking.
+ I have a weird "scraping/rubbing" sound when i turn my wheel..
Do i need custom pressrure lines, or will the E36 line work?
Do i need to adapt the firewall? To get rid of the noise..
Hoping DanThe will jump in here
DanThe wrote: ↑Sun Oct 24, 2021 10:47 am
I do a kit for S14 LHD but am yet to make lines for other engines, there is hardly any demand for them here, I can of course make up new lines on your car in my workshop
Since the project "fell on the back burner" this still isn't sorted.. Is there any further development in the hoses department?
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:09 pm
by DanThe
Yes, ive just made a kit for LHD with S50 engine, would need to see some photos of your engine bay to make a judgement on if I could do you a set that would fit without your car here
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:20 pm
by MrriS
DanThe wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:09 pm
Yes, ive just made a kit for LHD with S50 engine, would need to see some photos of your engine bay to make a judgement on if I could do you a set that would fit without your car here
I'll get them to you next week! I presume it will fit just fine as the S50 is quit a bigger lump than the mighty litlle M42
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:18 pm
by DanThe
They will bolt onto the rack the same but obviously need different ends for the engine/PAS pump side of things
Re: Z3 Rack Swap
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 10:01 am
by Corasdad
I have an m43 bottom end would I still need linkage and pipes to make z3 rack work, I think my car has power steering not sure if that makes a differance