whats the best steering rack for the m52 in a e30

[matt86]

Hi,

I'm putting the engine in my car in the next few days, but was thinking about the steering rack and if this is worth changing for a more responsive unit before I put the engine in.

What's the best options? Z3 and e46?

What if any modifications do these require to fit?

Which track rod ends do I use and is the e46 or z3 steering rack a direct fit?

Also what's the best gear linkage to use for short shift, the z3?

Thank you

Matt

[motormanmick]

Hello matt86,
link bellow gives you all the details, in the end, the choice is yours, I did mine with an e36 2.8 convertible with really low ks as I was after a newer rack with less turns than the e30 rack, would have loved the z3 rack (as below link shows is the easiest one to fit and best) but finding a low ks z3 wreck is Australia is like winning the lotto, which I had nil luck on either account, cheers.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... onversions

[matt86]

Hello matt86,
link bellow gives you all the details, in the end, the choice is yours, I did mine with an e36 2.8 convertible with really low ks as I was after a newer rack with less turns than the e30 rack, would have loved the z3 rack (as below link shows is the easiest one to fit and best) but finding a low ks z3 wreck is Australia is like winning the lotto, which I had nil luck on either account, cheers.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... onversions

Thanks Mick, that's great! I will see what I can find over here

[jmc330i]

Z3 racks are stupid money Matt (I've seen £200+) and they are all old now. The E46 purple tag rack can be had for £50-£70, will be newer and I doubt you would notice the difference between 2.7 and 3.0 turns.

You will need modified pipes either way and if you go for an E46 rack you'll need to change the steering linkage, but a Corsa steering linkage can be had for peanuts.
It is possible to bend the E30 PAS pipes to fit although I'd probably stump up for Dans PAS pipes - I don't know his price for the pipes, but you get a top quality product that fits and no worries of leaks from 20+ year old pipes.

[Motorhole]

Z3 racks are stupid money Matt (I've seen £200+) and they are all old now. The E46 purple tag rack can be had for £50-£70, will be newer and I doubt you would notice the difference between 2.7 and 3.0 turns.

You will need modified pipes either way and if you go for an E46 rack you'll need to change the steering linkage, but a Corsa steering linkage can be had for peanuts.
It is possible to bend the E30 PAS pipes to fit although I'd probably stump up for Dans PAS pipes - I don't know his price for the pipes, but you get a top quality product that fits and no worries of leaks from 20+ year old pipes.

+1

[matt86]

Z3 racks are stupid money Matt (I've seen £200+) and they are all old now. The E46 purple tag rack can be had for £50-£70, will be newer and I doubt you would notice the difference between 2.7 and 3.0 turns.

You will need modified pipes either way and if you go for an E46 rack you'll need to change the steering linkage, but a Corsa steering linkage can be had for peanuts.
It is possible to bend the E30 PAS pipes to fit although I'd probably stump up for Dans PAS pipes - I don't know his price for the pipes, but you get a top quality product that fits and no worries of leaks from 20+ year old pipes.

Thanks James. Appreciate your advice.

To fit the e46 steering rack what do I need apart from the rack.

You mentioned the linkage and pipes. So does the linkage come from a corsa and if so what age?

Does the z3 rack fit with no additional extras or modifications?

Thanks

Matt

[jmc330i]

All the info you need is here...

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... onversions

Its well worth a read and there are links to the Corsa steering link etc.