Z3 or E36 steering rack?

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JTY
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Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by JTY »

Am I right that a Z3 or e36 steering rack is a popular swap for e30s (shorter)? Anyone any experience with fitting these to an e21?


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Jeroen
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by Jeroen »

Not much I guess, was discussed before, since the steering rack is on the other side of the front crossmember it's not exactly a straight fit (like it is in an E30 indeed). Jason sells quick manual E21 racks if that's what you're after.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by petroscf »

Does Jason sell for LHD as well??
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by JTY »

No, Jason only sells RHD that I know of.
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by nightbear »

and that's exactly what you would need. we have a lot of RHD e36 steering rack swapped e21s over here, if you want to I can get you some info with pics later on..
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by rob0r »

nightbear wrote:and that's exactly what you would need. we have a lot of RHD e36 steering rack swapped e21s over here, if you want to I can get you some info with pics later on..
Please do, that's very interesting. Where is "over here"?
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by JTY »

Yep, still very much interested too. But bare in mind that I would be needing a short rack for a LHD 323i...
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by Jason_323i »

Well I sold I few e21 racks to m3 owners to flip over an fit to LHD i am sure the reverse works. As the e21 and e36 racks are on the other side of the cross member from each other flipping over a lhd rack makes it work for LHD and visa versa.

What I need is a LHD e46 compact rack cheaper and just as quick as the z3 1.8
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by JTY »

Not sure I understand everything with the e36 and e46 in your message, Jason.

If I want a quicker rack on my LHD e21, I look for a RHD e46 (should that be e36?) compact rack and flip it over to go on the e21? Is that right?
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by JTY »

Jason or someone else, is it e36 or e46 (see message above)?

Cheers

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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by Jason_323i »

If I want a quicker rack on my LHD e21, I look for a RHD e46 (should that be e36?) compact rack and flip it over to go on the e21? Is that right?
That is the basic theory a flipped over e36 z3 1.8 or e46 compact rack (the quickest ones) of course in practice you need to modify steering linkages make mounts on the subframe and new power steering lines
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by e21-Mark »

I've got a non-PAS e36 rack in my e30 track car. It's a good conversion but a some people simply seem to find the steering too heavy, compared with what they're used to. I think it's fine although obviously a bit heavier for parking if you'll be using on the road.
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by kevralpina »

TAS in the uk used to do a quick rack kit for the e21 in lhd and rhd got one fitted to my own car slightly heavier as to be expected but the response so much better
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by chelby5 »

Here in Ukraine wheel on the left side and I put a rail on the right-hand drive E36, just flipped.
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Re: Z3 or E36 steering rack?

Post by JTY »

Interesting! Could you do a round up of all mods needed or maybe a 'howto' with each pic?
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