F80 Steering Conversion to Hydraulic

IanMan · 10-01-2020, 03:30 AM

Has anyone attempted to retrofit the F80 with a hydraulic rack? Is there enough room for it to be done and the electric steering to be coded out? I feel like the steering is the only real problem with this car.

Tangent · 10-01-2020, 11:35 AM

Before undertaking what would be a very expensive custom job like this have you tried something like using Thor to program the GTS or CS model steering settings?

IanMan · 10-01-2020, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangent

Before undertaking what would be a very expensive custom job like this have you tried something like using Thor to program the GTS or CS model steering settings?

Has anyone? Are those settings much better?

Tangent · 10-02-2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanMan

Has anyone? Are those settings much better?

I did that a few months ago and liked the changes. I went with the GTS settings. It's not like a hydraulic rack but it's better than it was.

rborane · 10-02-2020, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanMan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangent

Before undertaking what would be a very expensive custom job like this have you tried something like using Thor to program the GTS or CS model steering settings?

Has anyone? Are those settings much better?

Yes. THOR is well worth it and the GTS steering makes a big difference

Racer20 · 10-06-2020, 07:49 PM

The issue with the steering is more a matter of poor damper tuning that's not matched to the steering calibration. If you want good steering, do this:

Update your suspension to the CS parts (search foe my thread about this)
Update your I-step to the latest level for all the modules
Code your car to the CS EDC, steering, diff, etc. settings
Get stock sized MPS4S
Get a good alignment to stock specs
Keep your steering in comfort mode all the time

Hydraulic steering isn't magic. It would have to be tuned to match the rest of the chassis, and the rest of the base/ZCP chassis just isn't that well calibrated. BMW got it right with the CS.

If you don't want to do all that, the GTS coding is an improvement over stock, but it's not as good as the above.

F82SO2 · 10-23-2020, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer20

Update your I-step to the latest level for all the modules

Is this done through ista+?
If the car is coded would this erase everything along with dct gts flash?
Thanks!

Racer20 · 10-23-2020, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F82SO2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer20

Update your I-step to the latest level for all the modules

Is this done through ista+?
If the car is coded would this erase everything along with dct gts flash?
Thanks!

I'm not sure if this can be done via ISTA+, there's a DIY somewhere on here in the coding forum and I recall it being more involved than other coding and service functions. I've had my dealer do it twice. Once in 2016 under warranty and again in 2018 which I paid an hour of labor for. It was worth it.

Yes, it will reset your coding.

McIntoshMotorSports · 07-01-2022, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanMan

Has anyone attempted to retrofit the F80 with a hydraulic rack? Is there enough room for it to be done and the electric steering to be coded out? I feel like the steering is the only real problem with this car.

It does look possible by modifying the subframe; Wise Fab sells a jig to use

https://usa.wisefab.com/bmw-f-series...angle-lock-kit

10-01-2020, 11:35 AM	#2
Tangent Lieutenant 296 Rep 581 Posts Drives: G01, F82, E89, F25 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: California iTrader: (2)	Before undertaking what would be a very expensive custom job like this have you tried something like using Thor to program the GTS or CS model steering settings?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2020, 07:49 PM	#6
Racer20 Major 1030 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: F80 M3, 228i THP, E46 ZHP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI iTrader: (0)	The issue with the steering is more a matter of poor damper tuning that's not matched to the steering calibration. If you want good steering, do this: Update your suspension to the CS parts (search foe my thread about this) Update your I-step to the latest level for all the modules Code your car to the CS EDC, steering, diff, etc. settings Get stock sized MPS4S Get a good alignment to stock specs Keep your steering in comfort mode all the time Hydraulic steering isn't magic. It would have to be tuned to match the rest of the chassis, and the rest of the base/ZCP chassis just isn't that well calibrated. BMW got it right with the CS. If you don't want to do all that, the GTS coding is an improvement over stock, but it's not as good as the above. __________________ 2015 M3, 2005 330i ZHP, 2015 228i 6MT Track Handling Pack, 2007 M Coupe (Sold)
	Appreciate 1 CSBM52716.50 Quote