E30 DRIFT BUILD : EP06 Z3 STEERING RACK CONVERSION!!

In this episode we take out the old steering rack and install a newer z3 steering rack! The z3 steering rack has a shorter lock-to-lock ratio, 2.7 turns, as compared to the stock e30 rack, 4 turns.
The only parts necessary to swap in the z3 steering rack are available to purchase as a kit from Garagistic and make it a fairly straight forward and simple install.
Install Kit for NON-AIRBAG CARS:
store.garagistic.com/e30-stee...
Install Kit for AIRBAG CARS:
store.garagistic.com/e30-air-...
Follow me on Instagram to keep up with my builds!
@derkm
Track List
"Run!" - Jouce Money
- • Video
🌸 Chillhop Essentials Spring 2018 • beats & lofi hiphop
- • 🌸 Chillhop Essentials ...

[@KeegsCook]

That transitionnnnn at 6:38. Smooth af. Great video dude! Thank you for posting!

[@karimmortada9204]

Yessss thank god I was waiting for a vid on this car

[@doctortruth4094]

Good video. Others have clearancing the u-joints on the coupler so they don't bind,but it looks like you did not have to do that.

[@E30Update]

Nice work.

[@VegasPrintDaddy]

Looking good I'm gonna do this to mine too probably after I do my coilovers and wheels

[@derkm]

Most definitely a good thing to look into after those upgrades!

[@Ebzyy__]

Good shit brother keep it up man

[@haidarao3634]

You deserve a million sub

[@jayhawk184]

thanks for making a video on this!

[@Reebang]

Very good video thank you for your share

[@faisalmahmood7589]

Great vid! Very helpful

[@faisalmahmood7589]

Is there a part number for the rack i wonder how much a new one will cost

[@derkm]

There are a few different part numbers for this rack I believe. You can also still get rebuilt ones online too I think!

[@applesauce6633]

Loved the video!! U got yourself a New subscriber

[@derkm]

Thank you man!! Prepare for some new content coming soon 😁

[@applesauce6633]

@@derkm I'll be on the look out 👀👀

[@kingiffy5024]

Thanks nice vid I got the e46 purple tag as Z3 is hard to find but informative vid.

[@derkm]

I appreciate it and glad it was able to help in some way! ✌

[@MrPastor1121]

How did you align and find the center for the steering rack in pinion in the car?

[@mxklkarmonkey970]

hi!! thanks for the video. do you remember the part number of the steering rack?

[@Daetze30]

Nice explain!

[@jimmysalinas891]

Hey I'm in the process of picking up an e21, would all the parts you placed on your e30 still fit? Or is the e21 totally different?

[@Avtomat_Killashnikov]

My garagistic kit hex bolt didnt even reach half way into the nut on the other side when installed, they just told me to throw loctite on it...

[@speedtrapchannel7326]

From wich z3 did you take you rack ?? Any z3 will fit ?? Thank you

[@e30sheib]

Adding to the list of stuff I need to do to my car

[@derkm]

Definitely worth the money and effort!

[@e30sheib]

Update! I replaced it with an e36 rack, sad thing is that the rack is not returning to center while driving and it seems a little stiff and bucks while turbing the wheel.... i’m confused

[@derkm]

@@e30sheib sounds like an alignment issue o: be sure to get it professionally aligned after installing the rack and see if the issue continues!

[@e30sheib]

@derkm Alrigt for sure, also do you think it could be because I used e36 tie rods?

[@hell4raizer]

Getting this done next week w00t

[@derkm]

Hell yeah! You'll love the difference 👌

[@Tenkaichibudokai22]

Are you using Z3 tie rod ends?

[@joaquincoronado5540]

hey man where you get the roof rack ? thanks

[@jenstori5746]

Does it make a difference if the new rack is Manuel or automatic on 92 e30

[@sytran666]

Did you have to trim the firewall on the white car?

[@PaTrIcE1996love]

can you give me a link to the site where you got it from ? they sell for around 800 in germany .. not willing to pay that amount for a used sttering rack

[@franciscoorrporras9532]

Can you please give me the exact Z3 rack and pinion, year, model ect. BTW, great video.

[@edgarfernandez4696]

Can I use a rack from any z3 year or it has to a specific year?

[@eternal24k]

do you use E36 hoses?

[@wotreplays1658]

I'm in UK and looking to install a z3 steering rack. On the website it says it wont work with EU spec E30? How can I install Z3 steering rack in mine? And do I need all these spacers still?

[@neoblanks]

How long did the install take?

[@207philippe]

Are all z3 racks the same

[@bullethelldemon]

amazingly helpful video, thanks a lot for making it! question though, when you bent the hard lines for the power steering how did you wind up doing that? i picked up a z3 rack for my airbag e30 and will be putting it in once my re-seal kit gets in.

[@derkm]

Thank you for watching man and I'm glad it helps even a bit! As far as the hard lines go, I think I was able to fit these lines just by man-handling them into place but if yours does not line up at all, then I would just carefully attach the end of the hard line section on a vice to get some leverage and bend it- it bends fairly easily if I recall. On my white turbo car, I used new e30 lines and they fit well without any serious bending on the hard lines 😁

[@bullethelldemon]

@@derkm cool thanks dude, good to know! wasn't sure if there was an elegant way to go about it or not but that works for me. i just wasn't sure if the un-uniform kinks from bending it would mess up pressure or cause a weak point or whatever. i'll post back in a few weeks once the install is finished!

[@derkm]

@@bullethelldemon no problem man! Wish there was an elegant and easier way to do it but whatever works 😅 dope! Hope everything goes well 😁

[@ilyastouring3132]

Subbed for this video

[@derkm]

Appreciate you 🙏 been saying this for years but I have new videos coming soon!

[@ilyastouring3132]

@@derkm keep them coming even for little fixes

[@derkm]

@@ilyastouring3132 100%! Already filmed a bunch of new stuff on my turbo E30 build and just need to edit. If you wanna see some videos I’ve made recently, check out the @garagistic KZbin channel! Me and the guys there have a bunch of newer videos there 👍🏽

[@ilyastouring3132]

@@derkm damn you worked with garagistic guys? Nice but too bad I can't order from them to Morocco

[@derkm]

@@ilyastouring3132 Still working with them! Most of the content on there the last 3-4 years is from me or our new media guy. And I think they do have options for world-wide shipping!

[@hookem234]

Do you know if you need to do the steering column u-joint length adjustment if you're doing this swap on a 1990 E30 with driver airbag?

[@ericktheboss7]

Don't know if you still the info but no. The airbag e30 has an adjustable length steer shaft.

[@emilioguitart3754]

I think you have put the shims for the steering in the top of it, but i think the best place is at the bottom of it..you can look in the pazi88 channel in the fuel pump video some tech info about it

[@derkm]

Emilio Guitart oh yeah you might be right about that! I'll look into it and swap it if necessary. Thanks for the heads up!

[@emilioguitart3754]

derkm please, say something to me if you finally change the place and if you feel the car different! Thanks!

[@JD-ml7cg]

Even BMW recommended to upgrade to later steering rack on the parts listing

[@TexasRedneck]

So how did you do the hard lines to match, and where did you put the spacers?

[@derkm]

I reused stock e30 power steering lines and just bent them into place to fit. Kind of a pain but it works! As for the spacers, I believe I put them on top

[@sumporfuk]

Great video. I am in the process of sourcing a Z3 rack for my E30 as well. Did you ever consider changing the rubber guibo on the lower part of that knuckle to an aluminum or delrin guibo? My understanding is it really tightens up the steering quit a bit. It would be very easy to disconnect the rack and swap it out now with the engine out of the car and it isn't expensive, I've seen them range in price from Condor for about $40.00, Pelican Part for about $55.00 and Ireland Engineering for $29.00

[@derkm]

Thank you man! And I've definitely considered it and honestly dont know why I didnt just do it while I was there haha. I already have them motor in the car now but if I feel like it needs to be stiffer, I'll definitely be pulling it out to install a solid steering shaft guibo

[@1188clean]

i did the Ireland engineering guibo and what a difference. i wish your vid was out when i did it because like a dumb ass i put the spacers on wrong and made the steering shaft longer. i was stumped, scratching my head for hours when i finally figured that i put the spacers on the wrong way. lol

[@brady5829]

Quality content! Also how do you get your hair to stay up nice like that

[@derkm]

thank you man! And Pink Gatsby is the trick hahah

[@foshizzlfizzl]

I'm going to do the same with a E46 Facelift.. Guess the Z3 is pretty hardcore, but the parts are hard to get in Germany or damn expensive (200+ and higher) what about shifter from Z3M? Did you install it too?

[@derkm]

Ooo damn ,_, at least you guys have all the cool euro spec goodies that us Americans pay a little extra for haha. And I had a z3 1.9 shifter on this car for a while but upgraded to a Garagistic chassis mount shifter and I love both setups! Just have to get a DSSR and replace your shifter bushings if you decide to do shifter upgrades.

[@maythom]

Thanks for the video, btw you should change the name in description in the second link to "AIRBAG CARS"

[@derkm]

Oh damn don't know how i missed that haha my bad; thanks for pointing that out!

[@sensei1781]

Do I need any new hoses? My current e30 power steering leaks from the boot, so I want to do a z3 swap.

[@derkm]

You can reuse your regular e30 power steering hoses but you might need to bend it a little to make it fit with the new z3 steering rack since the hoses connect at a different angle. I bought new e30 poeer steering hoses and for my z3 rack conversion on my turbo car and it now has no more power steering leaks 😁

[@LuisGarcia-xf6mq]

On your airbag car did you have to cut the firewall to make it work or did you not have to cut?

[@derkm]

I luckily didn't have to cut it 😁

[@chau7825]

My 316i has no power steering. Is it still possible to swap in the z3 rack? Cheers.

[@derkm]

Yes it should work! If you wanted power steering though, you would have to purchase the power steering pump, reservoir and lines to make that work. If you wanted to install it with no power steering, all you would need is the power steering delete kit that Garagistic sells 👍👍

[@jenstori5746]

Hey can u fit z3 m 40 style rims on e30 ?

[@derkm]

You would need to do a 5 lug swap since the z3 lug pattern is 5x120 and not 4x100

[@lukes6335]

Can you link us to where you pick the steering rack.

[@derkm]

www.car-part.com/

[@alcantarainterior8078]

What tie rods would you suggest to go for... E36 or should I buy the E30 ones? Thanks

[@derkm]

Good question! I went with z3/e36 tie rods iirc

[@JoeyMcGovs]

if you use e36 outters, you have to use e36 inners too, cant mix and match. if you use e30 outters, gota use e30 inners too

[@bamrock9]

When you did your swap on the airbag car, did you need to modify the firewall at all? I’ve heard mixed things about that

[@derkm]

Nope! Had no need to modify the firewall on mine

[@bamrock9]

derkm funny how Garagistic recommends to do so, but I’ll take after you and just leave mine alone! Thanks!!

[@derkm]

@@bamrock9Oh hrmm; were you referring to the z3 steering rack swap on the airbag car?

[@bamrock9]

derkm yeah, z3 rack on a airbag e30. Garagistic recommends to take a dremel and move the opening of the steering shaft on the firewall. The last thing I want to do is mess that up lol

[@Noxcrom]

My car is a E30 89 non air bag version with no PowerSteering, and I have a E36 steering rack to mount on. But in my case the steering shaft is diferent than this one you have. can you measure the size of the steering rack for de Z3\E36 swap after doing the short cut on it? Please... because mine cant separate in half like yours. And i dont know if i have to buy a used one to do the swap or if mine can just fit right

[@Noxcrom]

Euro model by the way

[@derkm]

Hey man! I'd love to help but the car is out right now getting the exhaust built soon and it's difficult to measure at the moment with the motor in the way. You should trying emailing or calling Garagistic and they should be able to answer any of your questions 😁

[@Noxcrom]

@@derkm thanks anyway! keep up doing good videos! Cheers from Portugal

[@ALKUKES]

Whats the benefits of z3 steering rack, does it turn more or less?

[@derkm]

Makes it so you need to turn the steering wheel less.

[@derkm]

@Zombie Head If i recall correctly I used z3 inner and outer tie rods

[@m.lorenzo965]

I’m a lil confused, I was in the impression that the Z rack has a purple tag stamped?

[@derkm]

There are a few different part numbers for the z3 racks and I believe the tag color changes through different years/models of z3's. Could be mistaken but I recall a forum post mentioning multiple part numbers for the same rack.

[@throbby24]

Great video man! What were your wheel specs on this car? looks awesome

[@derkm]

Thank you man!! They are 16x9 Borbet type A's and I believe et24 but I could be wrong

[@throbby24]

@@derkm thanks for the quick reply man

[@AftabKhan-cz2ch]

Did you shave anything off to reduce binding?

[@derkm]

I actually did not but so far, it doesn't seem like there will be any binding issues in my case. I have heard of needing to shave down some of the material off the steering shaft joints to reduce binding but I think that may only apply to airbag cars.

[@AftabKhan-cz2ch]

Oh word! Did the swap on mine last winter and mine binded so ill just do it right when i swap my motor

[@sydsohn3693]

Thank you for awesome video!! I got a 91s e30 318is, very funny car. But you know that. steering feeling is like a school bus. So, I want to sawp like your video. I got a only z3 steering rack . What parts need to me. 1. air bag iinstall kit from garagistic. - l'll buy 2. z3 steering rack - I got it. 3. tieroad end? 4. parts for power-steering fluid line? 5. what is the 2 white boxes? Well, I hope your kindly reply about that. Good day!!

[@derkm]

Thank you man!! You'll need #1, #2, #3 is optional if your tie rod ball joints are worn out or ripped but its cheap. I believe I used z3 tie rod ends. Your stock power steering lines should work but you need to bend them a little to make them fit (that's what I did for both my e30s). The 2 white boxes were just new tie rod ends 😁 and I think you'll love the z3 steering rack! It'll make it feel more sporty and less school bus'y lol.

[@sydsohn3693]

derkm 고맙습니다!! =Thank you a lot!! for reply and detail!!

[@thegiantalien357]

Did you do ps delete? If not what did you do about the ps lines?

[@derkm]

Nope! I kept power steering. I reused the stock e30 steering rack lines but just bent the hard line sections (where it mounts to the rack) slightly to make it fit.

[@thegiantalien357]

derkm What is difficult to adjust the hard lines? Cos there are lines for e30 rack swaps for sale and just wondering if i should bother with trying to bend the lines rather than buy pre done ones.

[@derkm]

It honestly wasn't too bad! It works but I haven't tested it for leaks just yet. For my white car though, I want to switch to braided lines with AN fittings to clean it up and to make sure it doesn't leak because it does leak on that car.

[@jrrivera8900]

This might be a old video & i hope you reply! Do i need to change the whole tie rod or just the end of it? Thats the one thing i dont know

[@derkm]

The tie rods on the z3 should fit directly to your E30! But if you want to replace the tie rod end because of a bad ball joint or ball joint boot, you have to purchase a z3 or E36 tie rod end iirc and not an E30 tie rod end.

[@jrrivera8900]

@@derkm perfect!! Thanks a lot for replying, really appreciate it, this will help my build a lot!

[@JoeyMcGovs]

if you use e36 inners you gota use e36 outters as well, cant mix and match e30/36, if you use e30 inners, gota use e30 outters

[@Noxcrom]

The tie rods are from a Z3/E36 or from an E30?

[@derkm]

Carlos Ferreira z3/e36 😁

[@Rurik_JustCruzn]

You can also use e30 tie rod end. They fit fine.

[@derkm]

I think you have to use an e30 inner tie rod if you wanna use an e30 outer tie rod.

[@Rurik_JustCruzn]

Yes thats correct

[@chrisallen4492]

What's the name of the company for the kit plz

[@derkm]

Garagistic! Link is in the description

[@pagodacloud2241]

I sertifly with Video.

[@itzzviolence]

can you leave the motor in when installing?

[@derkm]

itzzviolence yup! It's a little bit annoying but definitely doable

[@itzzviolence]

aight, thanks man!

[@MultiQuater]

Music in the background is awesome! Can u please share the tracklist? ;)

[@derkm]

Sorry about that!! Just added it in the description :)

[@MultiQuater]

derkm thanks

[@sytran666]

You didn't cover the hose bending

[@derkm]

I had a weird combo of non-factory hoses iirc on my setup and didn't think it would serve as a great example 😔

[@LAXLUCAS1]

more better

[@thearmorer5527]

Anyone else's steering shaft just slide right out 😬

[@alejaz8403]

E46 is better i heard than z3

[@napoliansolo7865]

When you talk, does it make you sound more intellectual when you put a question mark at the end of your sentence?

[@derkm]

Napolian Solo hahah didn't notice I do that alot. I think that's just how I talk to a camera when I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to say hah

[@napoliansolo7865]

I'm sorry. I enjoy your videos-I was just grumpy or bad tempered that night. Keep up the work, it's interesting to see what you're doing.

[@derkm]

Haha its all good man!! Appreciate the feedback nonetheless and I can see how it can get annoying haha