Quick steering rack for E36 M3
Discussion
I have an M3 (E36 Evo 3,2) ‘project car’ – i.e. car is being modified more and more toward track usage. By now it has Sachs group-n dampers, eibach springs and antiroll bars, poly-bushes - quite a serious suspension modification.
The car does handle but… the steering is very slow and lack feel.
I search the internet high and low and all I could came with is the use of the Z3 rack which is quicker and should fit.
Having looked up Z3 steering racks there seem to be many variation of them for the different models. Does anyone here which model is the correct one?
Also, all Z3 racks are specified as 3.2 turns – which is the same as my existing rack – so how come they are considered to be quicker?
Anyway, what I really looking for is a 2.2 – 2.4 turns rack that would fit – any ideas?
The car does handle but… the steering is very slow and lack feel.
I search the internet high and low and all I could came with is the use of the Z3 rack which is quicker and should fit.
Having looked up Z3 steering racks there seem to be many variation of them for the different models. Does anyone here which model is the correct one?
Also, all Z3 racks are specified as 3.2 turns – which is the same as my existing rack – so how come they are considered to be quicker?
Anyway, what I really looking for is a 2.2 – 2.4 turns rack that would fit – any ideas?
FezzaO said:
I have an M3 (E36 Evo 3,2) ‘project car’ – i.e. car is being modified more and more toward track usage. By now it has Sachs group-n dampers, eibach springs and antiroll bars, poly-bushes - quite a serious suspension modification.
The car does handle but… the steering is very slow and lack feel.
I search the internet high and low and all I could came with is the use of the Z3 rack which is quicker and should fit.
Having looked up Z3 steering racks there seem to be many variation of them for the different models. Does anyone here which model is the correct one?
Also, all Z3 racks are specified as 3.2 turns – which is the same as my existing rack – so how come they are considered to be quicker?
Anyway, what I really looking for is a 2.2 – 2.4 turns rack that would fit – any ideas?
I'm not 100% on this but as said above, the Z3 rack is normally a modification for non ///M E36's. The car does handle but… the steering is very slow and lack feel.
I search the internet high and low and all I could came with is the use of the Z3 rack which is quicker and should fit.
Having looked up Z3 steering racks there seem to be many variation of them for the different models. Does anyone here which model is the correct one?
Also, all Z3 racks are specified as 3.2 turns – which is the same as my existing rack – so how come they are considered to be quicker?
Anyway, what I really looking for is a 2.2 – 2.4 turns rack that would fit – any ideas?
The evo rack was actually updated from the 3.0 M3 as it was deemed to be too slow. I've never had any issues with mine on the track and I'm quite sure my rack is quicker (i.e less turns) than yours seems to be. How old is your car?
Quick reply:
You want the Z3 1.9 , not the M versions.
Long Reply courtesy of e36coupe (http://www.e36coupe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=69718&highlight=steering):
M3 3.0 - 39 mm/rev- the slowest available rack. This is a variable ratio but it is slower than standard until 200 deg hand wheel angle
M3 3.2 and standard E36 - 45.5 mm/rev- the M3 3.2 rack has restricted lock.
Z3 rack - 53.5 mm/rev- by far the quickest rack you can fit.
E46 compact rack - 50 mm/rev- apparently this also fits the E36
Because the M3 3.0 has a variable rack it has the smallest lock to lock at 3.0 turns but don’t be fooled it is the slowest by a country mile. A worthwhile upgrade for any 3.0 M3 would be to fit a standard E36 rack which is what I did a year ago with a noticeable improvement.
You want the Z3 1.9 , not the M versions.
Long Reply courtesy of e36coupe (http://www.e36coupe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=69718&highlight=steering):
M3 3.0 - 39 mm/rev- the slowest available rack. This is a variable ratio but it is slower than standard until 200 deg hand wheel angle
M3 3.2 and standard E36 - 45.5 mm/rev- the M3 3.2 rack has restricted lock.
Z3 rack - 53.5 mm/rev- by far the quickest rack you can fit.
E46 compact rack - 50 mm/rev- apparently this also fits the E36
Because the M3 3.0 has a variable rack it has the smallest lock to lock at 3.0 turns but don’t be fooled it is the slowest by a country mile. A worthwhile upgrade for any 3.0 M3 would be to fit a standard E36 rack which is what I did a year ago with a noticeable improvement.
Edited by naetype on Thursday 4th October 09:29
My car 1997 BTW. I guess that feeling of slowness is relative and personal. I find that some hairpins (e.g. Bedford) requires too much arm movement to my taste.
My rack seems to have 3.2 turn; as far as I understand so is the Z3 1.9. But the lock restriction on the M3 Evo can explain the difference - I assume that the amount of wheels movement between locks could vary .
Trying to calculate from the mm/revs it appears that the Z3 rack will need 2.7 turn for the same amount of lock that requires 3.2 in the M3. Not bad though I would want even a faster rack.
So, does anyone know the details of a company that will modify / manufacture a rack? Also, where is the best place to find a Z3 rack - idealy cheap in case it does not prove to be the final solution?
My rack seems to have 3.2 turn; as far as I understand so is the Z3 1.9. But the lock restriction on the M3 Evo can explain the difference - I assume that the amount of wheels movement between locks could vary .
Trying to calculate from the mm/revs it appears that the Z3 rack will need 2.7 turn for the same amount of lock that requires 3.2 in the M3. Not bad though I would want even a faster rack.
So, does anyone know the details of a company that will modify / manufacture a rack? Also, where is the best place to find a Z3 rack - idealy cheap in case it does not prove to be the final solution?
Edited by FezzaO on Thursday 4th October 18:41
Edited by FezzaO on Thursday 4th October 18:45
FezzaO said:
.............Trying to calculate from the mm/revs it appears that the Z3 rack will need 2.7 turn for the same amount of lock that requires 3.2 in the M3. Not bad though I would want even a faster rack.
So, does anyone know the details of a company that will modify / manufacture a rack? Also, where is the best place to find a Z3 rack - idealy cheap in case it does not prove to be the final solution?
From what I can glean; the 2.7 turns is fast enough for the track and may even be slightly too fast for the road.So, does anyone know the details of a company that will modify / manufacture a rack? Also, where is the best place to find a Z3 rack - idealy cheap in case it does not prove to be the final solution?
Euro Car Parts do them for about £200...
HTH
It's deffo a mod on my list. After X Brace, Evo discs, braided hoses........... I NEED to win the lottery soon
How easy is it to fit the Z3 1.9 rack to an M3 Evo?
Straight forward swap?
The steering lock limiter can be reduced with a bit of modification (assuming the same limiting method applies to the M3 Evo rack):
http://www.drifting.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18...
Straight forward swap?
The steering lock limiter can be reduced with a bit of modification (assuming the same limiting method applies to the M3 Evo rack):
http://www.drifting.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18...
Did my first track day at Croft on Wednesday in my 3.0 M3 never understood the problem with the steering until know, I had to take my hands off the wheel and put on more lock just to get round Tower, other then that it was great fun. Going to get a standard E36 or Z3 soon as, is there anything else you need to fit when installing the rack, pump or pipes for example?
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