Since the z3 used so much 3 series componentry under the skin the steering rack is a direct bolt in replacement but it s used as an upgrade because the steering ratio is much quicker for a faster steering response.
Bmw e30 steering rack swap e36.
This is desired because the lock to lock ratio on the e30 is quite large.
If you are planning to do an e30 steering rack to e36 m3 or e36 z3 steering rack swap you should buy a complete kit.
This will allow you to bolt the e30 and e36 uj s together.
95 m3 had a 3 0 turns lock to lock rack and a 2 8l z3 96 had a 2 7.
Bmw e30 close ratio steering rack swap there are 3 different ratios that bmw e36 cars came equipped with.
The steering racks that can be swapped in from the other chassis make the car feel sportier and become a bit more nimble.
Part 1 of the bmw z3 power steering rack conversion for a bmw e30 also in this video i will install the magnus racing team bump steer roll center correction.
I want to put a very fine point on this.
The result is awesome.
All non m 3 series coupes and sedans 92 98 came with a 3 2 turns lock to lock rack.
The overall length should now be correct.
If your bmw e30 has an airbag all you will need is the spacers to mount the steering rack.
You will need to use 2 of the metal spacer tubes from the e30 flex joint and fit them in the e36 flex joint.
This guide was created to explain how to swap an e36 e46 or z3 steering rack into an e30.
There may be other retailers but the kit used by people i know is available from zionsville autosport.
You will need one of these kits.
Those can be found here.
I gutted the rack cut out as many pas seals as i could and greased it all up like a normal non pas rack.
The spacers take up the additional space between the rack and the crossmember that occurs when swapping an e36 rack to an e30 front crossmember.
M3s and m z3s 96 had a 3 2 ratio rack as well.
The pros to buying the complete kit is substantial savings over buying the component parts and the kit is complete requiring no retrofitting or fabrication to install unlike the diy procedure.
You need to drill 2 holes 45mm apart and another 2 holes 50mm apart.
This includes the spacers and hardware to shorten the lower steering shaft and also spacers to mount the e36 or e46 steering rack on your e30 subframe.
I run an e30 saloon with an m30 3 5 with the e36 rack swap as above with 4mm rack spacers each side.