Z3 Steering Rack into E36 M3 Evo???

[gwatson]

Anyone done this modificaiton?

Coming from a Z4 I find the steering very slow and needs to be turned a lot more for the same corners (if that makes sense)

I've heard that fitting a Z3 rack greatly improves this. Anyone done this? Any other parts required? Time to fit? Lastly how much new & used?

Thanks in advance.

Graeme

[Cliffv8]

I replaced my 3L M3 rack a few weeks ago with a standard e36 rack, toke about 3 or 4 hours and i wasn't rushing it, the Z3 rack is quicker some people say its to quick but its down to personal preference and I think you have to make a bracket to holed the power steering pipes, best asking on e36coupe.com for that

[taffyracer]

the Z3 1.9 if you can find one is the one to have, failing that an E46 compact rack will do nicely

[ASBO]

taffyracer said:

the Z3 1.9 if you can find one is the one to have, failing that an E46 compact rack will do nicely

I was under the impression that the Evo already had the quicker rack, whereas the 3.0 has the horrible variable jobbie

[gwatson]

The steering on the Evo is horrible... good feel but needs to much input just to get round a corner... doesn't make for a quick change of direction on the back roads or indeed catching the back end. I am guessing at this stage a closer ratio will transform the way the car drives. The huge steering wheel doesn't help either

From what I've read, the Evo is quicker than the 3.0.. but the Z3 improves it even further.

[E36GUY]

gwatson said:

The steering on the Evo is horrible... good feel but needs to much input just to get round a corner... doesn't make for a quick change of direction on the back roads or indeed catching the back end. I am guessing at this stage a closer ratio will transform the way the car drives. The huge steering wheel doesn't help either

From what I've read, the Evo is quicker than the 3.0.. but the Z3 improves it even further.

I've not had problems catching slides. Are you just rubbish?

[gwatson]

Nae.... M3 is pretty easy, very consistant and progressive, saying that I've always provoked it, not been caught out yet But there is one road I drive which I used to loved in the Westfield and Z4 but is ruined in the M3.. I know it's a bigger car but it does handle well for its size and age, jjust the steering ratio makes it clumsy on tight stuff.. anyone else with me on this one?

Edited by gwatson on Tuesday 22 April 13:56

[E36GUY]

gwatson said:

Nae.... M3 is pretty easy, very consistant and progressive, saying that I've always provoked it, not been caught out yet But there is one road I drive which I used to loved in the Westfield and Z4 but is ruined in the M3.. I know it's a bigger car but it does handle well for its size and age, jjust the steering ratio makes it clumsy on tight stuff.. anyone else with me on this one?

TBH, maybe with you. I've just got so used to e36s being on my 3rd that I don't notice too much. Evo definatly better than my old 328 sport though. I'd be very interested to try an Evo with quicker steering for sure.

[ASBO]

gwatson said:

Nae.... M3 is pretty easy, very consistant and progressive, saying that I've always provoked it, not been caught out yet But there is one road I drive which I used to loved in the Westfield and Z4 but is ruined in the M3.. I know it's a bigger car but it does handle well for its size and age, jjust the steering ratio makes it clumsy on tight stuff.. anyone else with me on this one?

Edited by gwatson on Tuesday 22 April 13:56

Which road? I see you're a fellow Aberdonian, so the chances are I'll know it.

[gwatson]

The road from Skene to Lynne of Skene.. has a set of really tight corners, a left and a right in quick succession.. with a boot in 2nd inbetween I also love the bit coming out after the school towards Lynn of Skene when you go into the dips with sweeping corners... awesome little bit of road.

G

[rallycross]

I think the steering on these E36 M3's is terrible, my E36 evo cab has such slow feeling steering it would really benefit from a quicker rack, my E36 evo smg is a bit newer and the steering is better, but still quite slow, and my E36 328 sport has recently had a new rack which is a Z3 rack and it has transofrmed the car, the steering is immediate, nicely weighted, and relays what is going on, I think it would be a great upgrade for an M3, the standard steering really lets the car down (even with new tyres and the tracking done its still not good enough).

[gwatson]

rallycross said:

I think the steering on these E36 M3's is terrible, my E36 evo cab has such slow feeling steering it would really benefit from a quicker rack, my E36 evo smg is a bit newer and the steering is better, but still quite slow, and my E36 328 sport has recently had a new rack which is a Z3 rack and it has transofrmed the car, the steering is immediate, nicely weighted, and relays what is going on, I think it would be a great upgrade for an M3, the standard steering really lets the car down (even with new tyres and the tracking done its still not good enough).

I fully agree Just need to track down a Z3 rack, not easy and very expensive new. But considering I am spending around £1500 on suspension upgrades it would be a shame not to do this.

G

[CRACKIE]

Good information - thanks. I'm now going to fit a Z3 ( or maybe E46 compact ) rack to my EVO.

I've also heard on the grapevine that an E46 compact has the same ratio as the Z3 and is a direct replacement into an EVO. Can anyone confirm the E46 compact rack also fits ? Cheers.

[M30 GOT]

Has anyone got a picture or diagram of the Z3 rack?

[dan101smith]

What parts are needed for this? Just the steering rack? Anyone got the BMW P/N?