E36 steering rack conversion pipes.

[ian332isport]

Guys,

To all the people that have been patiently waiting for me to make a start on these, I would like to apologise for making you wait. I've had a lot on recently, and also had to fit a holiday in as well

Anyway, you will be glad to hear that I'm picking up the pipe today, and will be making a start on making them. It will probably take a few weeks to get them finished, as it takes a while for the platers to squeeze them in.

I can't remember exactly how many people wanted them, but I'm making a batch of 10, so it should leave a few spares for future orders. If everyone who wants a set, could reply to this post, it would be a great help.

Cheers,

Ian.

[tbmw]

i'd like a set please ian, pm'd you about them ages ago, dnt know if you remember but i'll def take a set

[ian332isport]

i'd like a set please ian, pm'd you about them ages ago, dnt know if you remember but i'll def take a set

Yep, no probs.

I've still got your original PM

Ian.

[TheDutch]

I'm still after some for a 318iS, can't remember what difference you said that would make over the 6-cyl. cars. Something about leaving a little bit extra pipe to account for the engine (and pump) being further back.

Neil

[ian332isport]

I'm still after some for a 318iS, can't remember what difference you said that would make over the 6-cyl. cars. Something about leaving a little bit extra pipe to account for the engine (and pump) being further back.

Neil

Neil,

As we discussed before, I have never tried fitting this on a 4 pot car.

There may be more or less issues with the steering column/exhaust clearance, but I really can't say for sure.

I'm making the length of the pipe approx 20cm longer to allow the pipe to be trimmed to the correct length. This should be plenty for all applications.

Cheers,

Ian.

[TheDutch]

Ok that's great, fingers crossed it'll fit ok, otherwise there's going to be a cheap quick rack kit for sale!

[Karan]

could i have a set for my tourer please Ian... cheers mate

[ian332isport]

could i have a set for my tourer please Ian... cheers mate

No probs

[Adammcf]

How much does the conversion cost inc all parts?
Was just wondering as the engine etc will be out of my car and would be the ideal time to do it.

[ian332isport]

How much does the conversion cost inc all parts?
Was just wondering as the engine etc will be out of my car and would be the ideal time to do it.

Adam,

It's hard to put an exact price on the conversion, as E36 rack prices can vary wildly depending on where you get one, and machining costs for the column spacer will vary.

I will probably be charging Ԛ£55 delivered for the pipes (give or take a pound or two). You will also need a couple of 14mm spacers to mount the rack on the E30 crossmember, and a spacer for the steering coupling. The 14mm spacers could be washers if you can't find anything else, but the coupling spacer needs to be machined. Again, this will very from place to place, but somewhere between Ԛ£15 & Ԛ£30 should cover it.

You should certianly have change from Ԛ£100 for all parts except the rack though.

Ian.

[Adammcf]

Cool, will be something to consider then when I get all the little bits for the engine.

[Andy325i]

Hi Ian, hows things?

Your timing is spot on! I am just about to do the plumbing for my black car

What pipes exactly need making mate? I am planning to use the bottle located on the engine (M52)

I would like 2 sets if possible, but if someone else is more needing then I am more than happy to wait for the second set.

Kind regards

Andy

[ian332isport]

Hi Ian, hows things?

Your timing is spot on! I am just about to do the plumbing for my black car

What pipes exactly need making mate? I am planning to use the bottle located on the engine (M52)

I would like 2 sets if possible, but if someone else is more needing then I am more than happy to wait for the second set.

Kind regards

Andy

Hi Andy,

I supply the high pressure pipe that runs from the power steering pump outlet to the rack input - this is supplied in two parts. The first part is a short hydraulic flexi hose with a 14mm banjo on one end (that connects to the pump), and an 8mm compression fitting on the other (that fixes to the end of metal part of the pipe). This metal pipe runs down along the back of the rack and finishes in another 14mm banjo that fits on the side of the E36 steering rack.

You need to supply the return pipe, but this is a standard 6 cylinder E36 pipe (E36 4 cylinder pipe is different and won't work). If you are using the standard E36 fluid reservoir mounted on the engine mount, then you won't even need to change the rubber hose on this pipe (if the reservoir is left in the standard E30 position, you need to remove the original rubber pipe and use a longer piece that I supply).

I'm pretty sure I will have enough available to let you have two sets, but you are deffo down for one

Ian.

[Andy325i]

Cheers Ian, your a top man. When/ how would you like the money?


Kind regards


Andy

[Templ8e30]

Are these still available ?

If so I'll have one

Cheers,

Iain T

[ian332isport]

Are these still available ?

If so I'll have one

Cheers,

Iain T

Yeah, should have enough left.

I actually took the pipes to be silver soldered this afternoon, so they are making progress. They said they are snowed under this week, but hope to get them done sometime next week.

Ian.

[Andy325i]

Top Man


Andy

[ian332isport]

I've had all the flexi pipes made as well, so thats sorted

[Andy325i]

cool!

when would you like the money mate?


Andy

[ian332isport]

cool!

when would you like the money mate?


Andy

Andy,

Wait until I've got them finished mate. I don't like taking money until I've got something to sell

Mind you, it's surprising how much the materials cost. 10 metres of thick walled hydraulic steel pipe was nearly Ԛ£70 before I even started

Ian.

[Andy325i]

That I can belive! These things seam so cheap to do as an idea, but it all soon mounts up!

I've said it once and I'll say it again! Top man!


Andy

[Templ8e30]

Any progress on these ?

Cheers,

Iain T

[ian332isport]

I picked the pipes up from being silver soldered on Friday. Just need to add a couple of bends and clean them up ready for plating. Should be another week or so.

Cheers,

Ian.

[Templ8e30]

Cheers,

Iain T

[buster]

Ian,I got some pipe from you before for this,I have the metal pipe that goes from the rack with only the banjo fitting on the rack end and nothing on the other end and a length of rubber pipe ,thats it.I am missing some pipe ie compression joint with flexi pipe with banjo on ,can you supply these for me please.
cheers

[agent006]

I'll have a set for a 325 if you've got any left over.

[ian332isport]

Ian,I got some pipe from you before for this,I have the metal pipe that goes from the rack with only the banjo fitting on the rack end and nothing on the other end and a length of rubber pipe ,thats it.I am missing some pipe ie compression joint with flexi pipe with banjo on ,can you supply these for me please.
cheers

Andy,

Have you lost the flexible hydraulic hose then ?

I could get you one made up, but it's a lot more expensive to have a single one made. You are probably better off having one made locally. I normally use Pirtek, but any hydraulic pipe place should be able to sort you out.

You need a 14mm Banjo with a 1/4" hose tail. 150mm of hydraulic hose that can take a minimum of 120 Bar pressure and a 1/4" hose tail to 8mm compression fitting. They should be able to sort you out if you tell them that.

Cheers,

Ian.

[ian332isport]

I'll have a set for a 325 if you've got any left over.

I'll give you a shout if there's any left.

Ian.

[buster]

Ian,I got some pipe from you before for this,I have the metal pipe that goes from the rack with only the banjo fitting on the rack end and nothing on the other end and a length of rubber pipe ,thats it.I am missing some pipe ie compression joint with flexi pipe with banjo on ,can you supply these for me please.
cheers

Andy,

Have you lost the flexible hydraulic hose then ?

Hi Ian,
i didnt get one ,unless i didnt see it in the wrapper and binned it

I will try and get one made up here.

[ian332isport]

Guys,

Just a quick update....

All fabrication is now finished. Just need to clean them up ready for plating. If all goes to plan, I should be able to take them to the Platers on Monday.



Cheers,

Ian.

[buster]

Ian those pipes in the pic ,my copper one is shorter on the end ,the same as in the pic of the rack below.Is that the correct length ? also those flexy pipes i definately didn't get one of those when i ordered a set before.Did you have one left over ???
Anyway how much would it cost to get me one made please and i will buy one from you if you dont mind.


this pic is how long my pipes are:




cheers
andy

[ian332isport]

Andy,

I have left these pipes longer because some of them are being fitted to 4 pot cars. I've never done one of these before, so don't know where the pump is relative to the rack. You will find your's probably needs cutting down slightly anyway, so not a problem.

No ,I don't have any flexi pipes left over. Not sure what happened there. I'll get you one sorted anyway

Cheers,

Ian.

[ian332isport]

Pipes have now been delivered to the platers. Unfortunately they won't be ready until next Monday

As soon as they are ready, then the pipes are ready for dispatch

If all the interested parties could contact me via PM, we can sort out payment etc.

Cheers,

Ian.

[ian332isport]

Bump

[ian332isport]

Can the remaining interested parties (you know who you are) please contact me regarding payment.

I've invested a lot of time and money into making this last batch of pipes, and will not be all that happy if I get stuck with a load

Ian.