Author Topic: Using E36 steering rack in E30, some user comments (Read 22635 times)

Frankie · « **on:** June 20, 2008, 05:24:41 AM »

I recently swapped a E36 steering rack to my E30 IS. The object was to get faster steering since E30 non-power steering is quite slow.

I then swapped power steering rack and emptied and capped the lines. Then I drove to race track to test it.

Comments: Don't do it. First of all, its too heavy and it is not faster at all. When doing laps in race track I had to turn the wheel in corners as much as with E30's steering rack.

Sam Cogley · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2008, 07:02:27 AM »

A power steering rack is not going to work well with the lines just capped off. It was designed to operate with power assist.

Frankie · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2008, 05:17:10 PM »

Quote from: Sam Cogley;51655

A power steering rack is not going to work well with the lines just capped off. It was designed to operate with power assist.

? Are u sure, could you elaborate more on that issue.

Sam Cogley · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2008, 08:04:37 PM »

Quote from: Frankie;51753

? Are u sure, could you elaborate more on that issue.

If the rack was designed for power assist, it's going to feel heavy without that assist - I've never seen a car where there wasn't a pretty significant difference between power and manual steering components.

tjts1 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2008, 01:11:17 AM »

Are you sure you have an E36 rack? How many turns of the steering wheel does it take to go from lock to lock? What about your old rack?

Quote from: Sam Cogley;51655

A power steering rack is not going to work well with the lines just capped off. It was designed to operate with power assist.

I installed a depowered E36 rack and I couldn't be happier with it. Its much quicker than my old rack and extremely easy to turn when the car is moving.

keflaman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2008, 08:42:04 AM »

My steering also feels heavier with the E36 rack, but after driving for a few weeks I became accustomed to it.

Driving in Italy's narrow roads and streets is definitely better with a 3.2 LTL rack than 4.7!

Frankie · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2008, 11:36:57 PM »

Quote from: Sam Cogley;51763

If the rack was designed for power assist, it's going to feel heavy without that assist - I've never seen a car where there wasn't a pretty significant difference between power and manual steering components.

C�mon, of course I know that, I was sh*tting with you!

Turns are about 1,5 turns to full left or right. The rack is from 318i E36.

Its not faster or I can at least say, that I dont notice any difference. And the steering is way too heavy. Of course I was expecting it to be heavier, but not that heavy.

KEFLAMAN How did you put those washers into those those two bolts which attach steering rack to subframe? I put them to upper side of rack. What numbers you have in that rack. I have 7852955277 and 1028041091.

Sam Cogley · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2008, 03:32:53 PM »

Quote from: Frankie;51905

C�mon, of course I know that, I was sh*tting with you!

Turns are about 1,5 turns to full left or right. The rack is from 318i E36.

Its not faster or I can at least say, that I dont notice any difference. And the steering is way too heavy. Of course I was expecting it to be heavier, but not that heavy.

KEFLAMAN How did you put those washers into those those two bolts which attach steering rack to subframe? I put them to upper side of rack. What numbers you have in that rack. I have 7852955277 and 1028041091.

You said you just plugged the P/S ports? That might be causing your problem, every time I've seen someone convert a power rack to manual, they used a jumper hose to connect the ports. You might be fighting the old assist system.

OP, read this: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61766 If you haven't already made a mess of that rack with the plugs, install the jumper hose if you insist on going with manual steering. If you emptied all of the fluid from the rack, it had no lubrication and you may have already wrecked it.

Frankie · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2008, 05:39:03 AM »

It does not break even if it is emptied. I can try to open those caps and see if it has any difference.

tjts1 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2008, 02:46:46 AM »

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say you don't know the difference between an E30 and E36. Just the off chance that you bought the part from someone that already pulled the part for you. 1.5 turns from straight ahead to full left or full right sounds right for a 3.2 turn E36 rack. Maybe your car was already equipped with a 3.5 turn E30 M3 rack before the swap so the difference would be very small. My stock E30 rack was 4 turns from end to end so switching to a 3.2 turn rack made a huge difference.
I can't comment on steering effort.

peerless · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:29:24 PM »

Quote from: Frankie;51651

I recently swapped a E36 steering rack to my E30 IS. The object was to get faster steering since E30 non-power steering is quite slow.

I then swapped power steering rack and emptied and capped the lines. Then I drove to race track to test it.

Comments: Don't do it. First of all, its too heavy and it is not faster at all. When doing laps in race track I had to turn the wheel in corners as much as with E30's steering rack.

There may be some misinformation you have heard. Most E36 racks are about the same ratio as the E30 rack.

There is only one very specific rack that you are looking for. That would be a 95' E36 M3 rack. This rack kicks ass. The steering is amazing quick. Turning radius is super tight. Almost too darty its so responsive. Combined with new tie rod assemblies, new control arms, M3 CAB's. Kick Ass!

One customer said it was the best upgrade to his car. I have done the conversion on 2 E30s now. Both air bag and non air bag.

Sounds to me like you guys got the standard E36 rack which is no different then the E30. Oopps.

nickmpower · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:42:27 PM »

the non M z3 rack is the best. some people say it is just less turns lock to lock becuse it doenst turn as far but my tires rub at full lock

colin86325 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2008, 12:02:30 AM »

Quote from: peerless;52408

There may be some misinformation you have heard. Most E36 racks are about the same ratio as the E30 rack.

There is only one very specific rack that you are looking for. That would be a 95' E36 M3 rack. This rack kicks ass. The steering is amazing quick. Turning radius is super tight. Almost too darty its so responsive. Combined with new tie rod assemblies, new control arms, M3 CAB's. Kick Ass!

One customer said it was the best upgrade to his car. I have done the conversion on 2 E30s now. Both air bag and non air bag.

Sounds to me like you guys got the standard E36 rack which is no different then the E30. Oopps.

I think the above comments apply only to the US E36 M3 or US E36 cars. I know equipment options can vary considerably with country.

adam12hicks · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2008, 07:54:32 AM »

Hey PEERLESS... does it have to be a 95 rack? Did the 96 and 97 M3 racks have different L2L ratios or something? I have a line on a 97 rack setup.

Since you've done a few of these, if I did a 95 (or 97) rack in my 91 318is are there any adapters or other parts I will need to make it happen? I suppose I'd need new tie rods and a good alignment. I already have new M3 CABs and control arms.

Thanks!!!

Frankie · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2008, 01:19:10 AM »

Quote from: peerless;52408

There may be some misinformation you have heard. Most E36 racks are about the same ratio as the E30 rack.

There is only one very specific rack that you are looking for. That would be a 95' E36 M3 rack. This rack kicks ass. The steering is amazing quick. Turning radius is super tight. Almost too darty its so responsive. Combined with new tie rod assemblies, new control arms, M3 CAB's. Kick Ass!

One customer said it was the best upgrade to his car. I have done the conversion on 2 E30s now. Both air bag and non air bag.

Sounds to me like you guys got the standard E36 rack which is no different then the E30. Oopps.

I don't know who is misinformed, since in every website is presented the following info: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247

From there you can read that every E36 has quicker steering than E30