General LSX Automobile Discussion Non-technical LSX related topics.

why the HELL are our steering wheels so big?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-07-2013, 08:20 PM
  #1  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default why the HELL are our steering wheels so big?

I work at a Jaguar/Land Rover dealership, and I am almost positive in saying that the steering wheel on a full size range rover is at maximum, the same size as that on our ls1 camaros, if not smaller... so, why is the wheel so damn large on our cars?

Are there any others out there who seriously dislike the size of the wheel? Any legit solutions to this, other than an aftermarket racing steering wheel? Can a vette steering wheel be put on?
Old 09-07-2013, 08:27 PM
  #2  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
ULTIMATEORANGESS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: eatontown,nj
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts

Smile

so we have more space to position our hands?
Old 09-07-2013, 08:29 PM
  #3  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ULTIMATEORANGESS
so we have more space to position our hands?
that is definitely not a good enough reason haha
Old 09-07-2013, 08:42 PM
  #4  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
ULTIMATEORANGESS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: eatontown,nj
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts

Smile

Originally Posted by giosoccer20
that is definitely not a good enough reason haha
think of it as a luxury item.
Old 09-07-2013, 09:13 PM
  #5  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
RedHotG8's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Install a smaller one if you think it's too big.
Old 09-07-2013, 09:20 PM
  #6  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (16)
 
Empatho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Internet
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

The stock wheel never bothered me before, but now that I have a 350mm momo I would never go back to the stock cheap wheel. Only reason I changed the wheel the first time was because it was starting to crack.
Old 09-07-2013, 09:29 PM
  #7  
Launching!
iTrader: (2)
 
formula218's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Lansing MI
Posts: 257
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

i have a smaller aftermarket one too and i like it a lot more. the stock one seemed awkwardly large to me and i wanted a quick release anyway so i went smaller. i don't remember the exact but 350mm sounds about right.
Old 09-07-2013, 10:29 PM
  #8  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
M4N14C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 1,233
Received 16 Likes on 11 Posts

Default

On the contrary, when I first test drove a T/A I was surprised about how small the wheel was (Camaro's and Firebird's have the same wheel size, right?). I never actually measured, but it felt awkward.

I was thinking about getting an aftermarket wheel, but I use the buttons on the wheel too much and don't think I wanna ditch the airbag just yet
Old 09-07-2013, 11:00 PM
  #9  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
 
99Bluz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: C. V., Kalifornia
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Yeah, the factory wheel looks like it has a kids lunch box in the middle of it, and the aluminum hoop in them breaks fairly easy, and I have to agree about the aftermarket steering wheels, they're so much nicer then stock. I've got a Momo COMPETITION, 350mm steering wheel and it a lot nicer than stock.
Old 09-08-2013, 04:31 AM
  #10  
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
 
RPM WS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,270
Likes: 0
Received 1,705 Likes on 1,222 Posts

Default

'99 and earlier Camaros had a slightly smaller wheel diameter. It's not drastically smaller, but the difference is enough that I notice it when jumping from my '98 to my '02. I do like the smaller one better.
Old 09-08-2013, 11:33 AM
  #11  
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
jimmyblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Seems small when I've been driving my '70s Caprice.
Old 09-08-2013, 07:01 PM
  #12  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

haha. when you guys say aftermarket, you are all referring to momo wheels and other airbag-less wheels, correct? Like i said, I've put my *** in many many modern cars, and none have a wheel as big as this..especially in a sports car.

also, could i put a corvette wheel on, or is it more complicated than just unbolting one and putting on another? and like m4n14c said, i dont think i'm ready to give up my airbag yet, I'm too young!
Old 09-08-2013, 07:02 PM
  #13  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jimmyblue
Seems small when I've been driving my '70s Caprice.
toucheeee
Old 09-08-2013, 07:03 PM
  #14  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ULTIMATEORANGESS
think of it as a luxury item.
ehhh it's better than your first explanation, but still not justifiable! lol
Old 09-08-2013, 07:08 PM
  #15  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

http://performance.importrp.com/i-578886.aspx

i think i'm in love
Old 09-08-2013, 07:25 PM
  #16  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
ULTIMATEORANGESS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: eatontown,nj
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by giosoccer20
dont know. im thinking thatll look good on a honda used for drifting.
Old 09-08-2013, 07:31 PM
  #17  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ULTIMATEORANGESS
dont know. im thinking thatll look good on a honda used for drifting.
I see where you're coming from, but.... I do get my car sideways quite often...and also, I feel like our cars have a red and black theme in them. You know how the camaro writing is red on the center console? It's a stretch, but I think the wheel would compliment that
Old 09-08-2013, 07:47 PM
  #18  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
ULTIMATEORANGESS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: eatontown,nj
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts

Smile

if it works for you thats all that matters.
Old 09-08-2013, 07:53 PM
  #19  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
giosoccer20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would love a smaller wheel, but then again, I don't know how wise it is to have no airbag on my daily driver. granted, i've never been in an accident
Old 09-08-2013, 10:06 PM
  #20  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (16)
 
Empatho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Internet
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Im only 26 years old and I don't mind driving around without an airbag, the car without airbags cant be any more dangerous then my motorcycle.


Quick Reply: why the HELL are our steering wheels so big?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:56 PM.