Steering Rack Swap-E30 vs. E36 Tie rods

[Colo318IS]

just wanted to thow this out there as I've seen answers go both ways....if swapping the E30 rack for an E36, do you have to use both E36 inner and outer rods or can you use E30 outers with E36 inners as long as you use the E36 locking plates?

I bought new controls arms, bushings etc, that came with E30 outers...this was before I realized I was gonna do the swap, the e36 outers that came with the rack need to be replaced so am trying to decide if i can still use the e30's or bite the bullet and order e36 outers...

Thanks for any insight you can provide...

[rac3r]

I haven't performed the swap, but I do know there is quite a  bit of adjustment available in the outer tie rods. There are about 3 inches of thread engagement on each side, so there should be an adequate amount of adjustment. I can't imagine the E36 front track being more than 2" off from what the E30 is.

I would guess that you could go either way and be fine. Take this with a grain of salt, because I'm just speculating.