M30 with what steering rack?

Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:51 pm

Alright so my list of parts needed is getting smaller and smaller and one the bigger things on it is the power steering.

I know people will say go with the e46 purple rack but how much modification does that take (do e30 power steering lines work? Do I use m30 p/s? And extra fabrication ?)

Also any other simple rack conversions with this engine ?

Thanks
Matt

Mon Jul 20, 2015 6:05 pm

Got the e46 rack on mine. I used DanThe's power steering lines meant for the m20, they fitted fine apart from I had to twist one of the ends so it fitted the pump.

Use the standard M30 pump.

The guide on the wiki tells you how to modify the steering linkage, I think it was Dan again I got the bar that connects the 2 U/J's together. I had to cut out and weld an extra slight bend in one of the downpipes to clear the column linkage, think that's usually the case with m30 conversions.

Pretty sure I've got a few photos in my build thread of it all.

Wed Jul 22, 2015 11:57 am

I run (for the time being...) an M30 with an E36 rack, though the rack has no power steering. I can't help with the plumbing but I can say that a custom linkage is not needed if you use an E36 rack. Fit the rack in the rear holes of the subframe (usual PAS rack position), take the rubber flex/guibo out completely and bolt the two halves of the linkage together. Perfect fit and I've done it to two E30 3.5 conversions with E36 rack.

What I don't know is if E46/E36 rack are the same fitment/dimensions though, and whether the same linkage would work on an E46 rack.

I believe I had to "clearance" the downpipe has Bristol mentioned, but I think I just knocked a dent into the exhaust pipe.

Thu Jul 23, 2015 11:38 pm

I don't like power steering and have a non pas rack from an early 318.

Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:14 am

I stripped down my E36 rack, cut all the seals out and greased it all up so it's pretty much a full manual 3.4 turn rack. It's just about bareable when parking and is fine once on the move and out on track.

Trouble with the E30 manual racks is they are 4.4 turns or higher I believe?

Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:24 pm

thanks everyone for the info ! and yeah i have a manual rack now in the e30 but its a bit long lock to lock. I Wouldn't mind having a bit of the luxury and having ps as its not going to be a 100% track car. however if its going to take a lot of fabrication from standard lines ill just go manual.

also im sure the manual rack i have has a bit of play in it. going above 90 in the m10 is a hazard to my life with this rack.