Steering rack

[shopkeep]

So I am looking to buy a rack with a quicker ratio than my E30 318is. Will one from a Z3 work? The guy tells me it will fit in fine. 15.4:1 is the ratio, I have no idea what the stock 318is is. Everywhere ive looked so far they have been really expensive and from what I can tell I will be able to get it pretty cheap.

[Starmavin]

15.4:1? This would almost have to be the output force to input ratio. What is seem like you want is less turns from stop to stop, that is the turning ratio. Other than that 15.4:1 as a turning ratio would mean you would turn the steering wheel 15.4 times from stop to stop, and in that respect I guess you would want a lesser ratio....

A Z3 rack is about 3 turns from stop to stop. Some slight modifications are needed depending on the year.

On the other hand, I have heard of autocross guys using a LHD Talbot Sunbeam rack (good luck finding one), it can be fitted upside down (with some modification), it's about 2.25 turns from stop to stop.

[gotKRAUT]

whoah...2.25 sounds heavenly lol...

[shopkeep]

i dunno its just the number the guy put up. Well 3 turns is better than what I have now. It's especially annoying when backing up, I lose track of where the center is at because there are so many turns.

[BMWJNKY]

The Z3 rack will bolt in but I think you need to use the Z3 tie-rods and you defiantly need the adapter from Zionsville or modify your steering coupler to make it work. If you get the 1998 Z3 1.9L rack its 2.7 turns lock to lock. As far as I know that is the quickest ratio rack to use.