E46 rack vs Z3 rack

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Mikey_Boy
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Post Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:11 pm

Hi Folks,

A very quick query - does anyone have a picture of a E46 clubsport rack and a Z3 rack together? Interested to know the relative orientation of the steering coupling splines to compare exhaust manifold clearance issues for a RHD S14 conversion...

I have a Z3 rack fitted right now to mine and the clearance is fairly tight to that rack - AKG mounts are going to work for their money!!

Just wondering if the E46 rack might give a touch more clearance...

Many thanks!
:thumb:
Mike
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Demlotcrew
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Post Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:56 pm

Mike,

This is a very rough overlay of an E30 stock rack and a E46 ClubSport rack, I know it doesnt help your situation but you might be able to conclude something from it.

Image

Andrew
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Mikey_Boy
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Post Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:01 pm

Thanks Andrew - looking at the RHD S14 manifold I bought from you, it is clearly set up for a stock E30 rack. Looking at your pic above, I reckon the Z3 is a touch (but not much) worse than the E46 rack.

I think I have about 5 -7 mm clearance at worst case with the Z3 rack and RHD S14 manifold - I hear that the S50 boys also have a hard time with rack to manifold clearance... Anyone measured it?

Like I said - those AKG mounts are going to work hard for their dinner!

For the sake of £35 - £50, I might be worthwhile getting an E46 rack on standby just in case?
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Demlotcrew
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Post Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:06 pm

I really like the Clubsport rack, it perfectly weighted for a track E30, just the right amount of feel. Never driven an E30 with a Z3 rack, but if its anything like an E36 one, I think the Clubsport would be a good upgrade :)

The above is my opinion and is subjective!

Andrew
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Mikey_Boy
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Post Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:38 pm

I have heard very good things about the E46 rack, but then, equally good things about the Z3 rack and being honest, I love the Z3 rack for the same reasons you love the E46 rack - great feel and weight... When I was doing the rack upgrade I remember Z3 and E46 racks were about the same price? I think my only reason for going with the Z3 rack was that I found one before I found an E46 rack... :roll:

Isn't subjectivity a wonderful thing!! winkeye
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tomislav
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Post Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:33 pm

I had an e46 rack in my touring and it was the best modification i could have made to bring the car alive (other than the coilovers, big brakes, poly bushing lol).

Massive headach with my hottuning manifold, had to cut weld and do alsorts to make it work but it was worth it.

Cant comment for the z3 rack tho
'Assumption is the mother of all f**k ups'
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baur320
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Post Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:45 pm

Does it matter which E46 rack is used?
Current E30 325i, E63 630is.
Previous E21 320/4, E9 3.0 CSA, E12 525, E30 320i, E28 528i, E34 535is, E30 318i, E28 525e, E30 325i Touring, E30 Baur 327i, E36 M3 Evo, X3is, E39 530d M Sport.
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Screacher
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Post Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:18 pm

baur320 wrote:Does it matter which E46 rack is used?
I had one of these fitted. I thought it was from a Compact, but the link says not. However, it is a great mod (tho does cause problems with the downpipe which I need to get sorted.

http://www.midlandbm.com/catalog/bmw-e4 ... -1904.html
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