What alternatives to the Z3 rack

[BadDave]

Just wonder what alternatives there were instead of using the Z3 rack
I've read that the E36 rack Bolts on with E30 tie rods.
Which E36 racks are most suitable/similar to the Z3 one

M3 one ???

TIA

[nickso]

i want to know this too. theres heaps of e36 racks in persley scrappy every month. ive yet to see a z3 in there given up on finding one up here.

[DHFiS]

There is a long thread about this here

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=45398

Look on page 1 at what M3compact wrote. I've got an E36 rack in mine.

[nickso]

so a e36 318i rack is likely to be 3.4 turns compared to the e30 4 turns.

ill probably get the rack for around a tenner so its probably worth it.

is it the same idea to fit the e36 rack as it is the z3?
do ihave to read through 14 pages to find out? lol

[nickso]

reading through the first few pages it seems the e36 is identical externally and goes on the same as the z3. the only choice you have to make is using the front or rear mounts on the crossmember.

ill have to have a look round my scrappy at the weekend.

[monkey]

i couldnt find a z3 one in any breakers . so i got a 2nd hand e36 rack and then brought a rebuilt z3 rack and sent the e36 one back as the surcharge old unit .

[juniorGT]

tbh not worth getting second hand racks. when it comes to steering.

scrappy ones could of been envolved in an accident or either high mileage and worn !

i will be ordering a new Z3 rack when funds allow, iv got a link to a company doing them for £130.

been told is one of the best mods on a track car. and great for a bit of drifting when damp

[caneswell]

Share the link please

[shorty73]

tbh not worth getting second hand racks. when it comes to steering.

scrappy ones could of been envolved in an accident or either high mileage and worn !

i will be ordering a new Z3 rack when funds allow, iv got a link to a company doing them for £130.

been told is one of the best mods on a track car. and great for a bit of drifting when damp

Maybe worth trying to do a group buy. Do you want to try and organise one or pm a link over if you rather some one else have a try.

[punk_sy]

groupbuy would be cool.ive found one in a breakers but they want £175 for it .

juniorGT is that with no surcharge on them ? i would be very interested in one while iv got the cash if you could send me a link aswell

[Martin347]

I'd be interested in a new z3 rack for £130 too!!!

[spike318is]

i'd also be interested on a z3 rack.

[spike318is]

also can some1 explain or post up a link for fitting a z3 or e36 rack. only bought the car an there must be 4 inches of play in the steering. its that bad i cant cross 50mph on a slightly cambered road. car weaves all over the road. cant enjoy driving it.
also has amyone fitted the solid steering coloum bushing that replaces the standard rubber item? is it worth it? reckon it needs replacing also anyway.
many thanks
spike 318is

[oze30]

I'll be in for the Z3 rack.

[BadDave]

also can some1 explain or post up a link for fitting a z3 or e36 rack. only bought the car an there must be 4 inches of play in the steering. its that bad i cant cross 50mph on a slightly cambered road. car weaves all over the road. cant enjoy driving it.
also has amyone fitted the solid steering coloum bushing that replaces the standard rubber item? is it worth it? reckon it needs replacing also anyway.
many thanks
spike 318is

If you have a read through the linked thread theres pics etc in there
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=45398

The solid guibo means more direct steering and a lot less possibility of wear compared to the rubber item

[n1tr0_9]

I had an E36 rack on my IS welded diff drift machine, was much better than standard and cheap. Never driven an e30 with z3 rack.

[oze30]

Z3 rack is Awesome! If I could clear my manifolds, I would have kept mine.

[R4N_S_S]

how many locks is a Z3 rack?

[oze30]

depending which one, 3 I think

[miniblob]

I'm sure the one from the 1.9 z3 was 3 turns (may have got it wrong though!!)

I got hold of one, then found out they wouldn't clear the BTB manifold!!
Might get an E36 rack one day.

[charlE30]

Z3 is 2.7/8 turns another alternative is the E46 rack. I've got an E46 330 clubsport rack and it's 3 turns exactly with a lot less messing around with the coupling. It would be worth checking other E46 racks aswell as the later ones may well also be 3 turns

The steering is sublime with the E46 rack

[oze30]

I'm sure the one from the 1.9 z3 was 3 turns (may have got it wrong though!!)

I got hold of one, then found out they wouldn't clear the BTB manifold!!
Might get an E36 rack one day.

The E36 and Z3 racks are the same aren't they? I had the same issue. It wouldn't clear the V8 manifolds, so had to sell it.

[miniblob]

I heard that rack from different Z3's are different!!!!!!! i.e. i'm sure i heard that the 1.9 and the ZM have less turns than the other engine sized Z3's!!!! I could be wrong though??

E46 330 rack - what's the chances of that clearing a BTB manifold??????????

[oze30]

I meant in the way they mount/angle of the stub. But yes, they are specced with different ratios. I think mine was the quickest of the Z3 racks, 1.9 I think???

[steve_k]

right then let's see if any of you can answer this for me.

i'm looking a going for the z3/e36 rack convertion & what i want to know will i still be able to convert my car from 4 stud/bolt hubs to 5stud/bolt hubs?

i've got a feeling i allready know the out come of this but please if someone can clear this up for me then thanks in advance.

steve.

[Theo]

[quote="325msport"]i'm looking a going for the z3/e36 rack convertion & what i want to know will i still be able to convert my car from 4 stud/bolt hubs to 5stud/bolt hubs?
quote]

You'll still be able to go to 5 stud without any issues.

[steve_k]

thanks for that theo325.

that's what i thought.

i must have been having a "moment".

[Nay]

I've been on the hunt for a Z3 rack for months... pain in the a** to find, especially if your from the channel islands and cant go and pester breakers in the UK every week! There isn't a single breakers over here for any car... hmm, could be a business opportunity there!

If anyone did a group buy for them I'd be straight there.

I've heard about the E46 330i rack before, not heard of many people fitting them yet, but i'm sure the numbers will soar one day. Its definately the 1.9L Z3 rack to go for. E36 ones are still a big improvement apparently.

Does anyone know how much a Z3 rack direct from the dealers would cost? As my car goes on, I may be inclined to fork out...

[mt1104]

£275 + vat for recon ones from this company apparently, bit expensive but if your desperate...

http://www.steeringeac.co.uk/Productsan ... fault.aspx

*edit*

Sorry just seen that's a fully fitted price, might be worth ringing to see if they will sell the racks individually.

[miniblob]

charlE30 - what manifold you using with that steering rack???

Still wanna know - E46 330 rack - what's the chances of that clearing a BTB manifold??????????

I'm assuming it's a no go, or others would've done it by now!!!

[Jhonno]

e46 rack has the same fitment as e36/z3 so it's still rack or 6 branch..

[Lloydie38]

I thought the Z3 1.9 racks were 2.4 turns lock to lock....? Just remember seeing it..perhaps on the zone forum..

I would love to have one fitted on my track car, but for the time being it's a cheaper option...!!!

[DUBGT]

Josh I would be a definite if you are able to arrange a group buy on the new racks. Keep us posted...

James.

[charlE30]

charlE30 - what manifold you using with that steering rack???

Still wanna know - E46 330 rack - what's the chances of that clearing a BTB manifold??????????

I'm assuming it's a no go, or others would've done it by now!!!

My manifold is just the standard M30 with the front section cut and welded. My first ever time welding and it passed the MOT so it's an airtight weld

It wouldn't fit past a BTB as the pinion angle is so different to that of the E30 rack, as Jhonno said all the racks have the same fitment (excluding the E30 rack)

It would also be worth checking out other E46 racks (later ones) as you may well find that the 3 turn rack isn't only on the 330 clubsport. One nice thing with the E46 rack is that you can use the original E30 steering coupling with just a modified bush, none of this half E36 half E30 coupling

[MrBenn]

Anyone know where I can get the pipes for fitting a z3/e46 rack? I thought they used to be for sale in the zone shop, or am I going mad? I also looked through the group buy section but couldn't find it there either(not saying it's NOT there, just I couldn't find it). I'll try and bend the pipes but if that fails would be nice to know where I can find/have some made.
Cheers