Steering wheel opinions
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Joined: Feb 2012
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Steering wheel opinions After a TrueTrac gets put in, I think the icing on the cake will be a smaller steering wheel. I believe my stock 4th Gen Camaro wheel is 370mm OD. I see wheels offered in 350/330 and even 320mm OD's. I assume the smaller the wheel will require more force to turn the wheel...physics lol.
My car is a DD in the nicer months and autocrossed every chance I can get. In the winter it's a toss up between my car and a truck due to snow.
Anyone that has swapped a wheel has been very pleased with it. I'm looking for opinions on the following:
1)Wheel size vs effort to use it.
2)Depth of wheel required to keep it in the stock location (I have my seat settings figured out so I would like to keep my wheel in the same location relative to the seat. I could afford SLIGHTLY closer to the dash if anything).
3)Leather vs suede. Suede will give more grip but I read will break down due to oily /sweaty hands...in 90* autocross days my hands get VERY sweaty to where I have a towel in the back seat to dry them before a run.
Ideally I'd like a wheel that has a yellow strip at 12 o'clock and has horn buttons on the side or the center emblem (DD use). The remaining requirements will be overall looks and design.
Any sugguestions would be great in terms of personal experience. Thanks guys.
My car is a DD in the nicer months and autocrossed every chance I can get. In the winter it's a toss up between my car and a truck due to snow.
Anyone that has swapped a wheel has been very pleased with it. I'm looking for opinions on the following:
1)Wheel size vs effort to use it.
2)Depth of wheel required to keep it in the stock location (I have my seat settings figured out so I would like to keep my wheel in the same location relative to the seat. I could afford SLIGHTLY closer to the dash if anything).
3)Leather vs suede. Suede will give more grip but I read will break down due to oily /sweaty hands...in 90* autocross days my hands get VERY sweaty to where I have a towel in the back seat to dry them before a run.
Ideally I'd like a wheel that has a yellow strip at 12 o'clock and has horn buttons on the side or the center emblem (DD use). The remaining requirements will be overall looks and design.
Any sugguestions would be great in terms of personal experience. Thanks guys.
I have a quick-disconnect steering wheel in mine, which a virtual requirement if you have a roll cage with door bars. It is the same diameter as stock. I tried smaller ones -- about 1" less in diameter -- and didn't really like the feel.
Yeah but a 2nd gen T/A has a tiny factory wheel compared to most cars. Its the size of most common aftermarket wheels, awesome stock piece.
A 4th gen really needs a smaller wheel. Not that stock-same as a cavalier-school bus wheel. I use a grant with leather because the suede gets nasty unless you wear gloves every time you drive it. I would invest in a set of decent racing gloves anyway, cheap enough and keep you grip on the wheel dry. I will try to get a picture of mine later.
A 4th gen really needs a smaller wheel. Not that stock-same as a cavalier-school bus wheel. I use a grant with leather because the suede gets nasty unless you wear gloves every time you drive it. I would invest in a set of decent racing gloves anyway, cheap enough and keep you grip on the wheel dry. I will try to get a picture of mine later.
I deal with those cars all the time at work, and 99% of the steering wheels are matted and gross. Especially the suede in a cts-v. I'm really surprised you don't hear more bitching. Disclaimer: the cars I see at work don't come from the most pampering owners.
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79 T/A what do you do for work?
I found a 330mm suede wheel cheaper. Almost temped to get it and if it gets matted I can try and bring it back. Rather than spending $200+ on a momo/sparco/grant.
Company is Driven Steering Wheels, looks like it is a small bussiness.
I found a 330mm suede wheel cheaper. Almost temped to get it and if it gets matted I can try and bring it back. Rather than spending $200+ on a momo/sparco/grant.
Company is Driven Steering Wheels, looks like it is a small bussiness.
Last edited by smitty2919; Mar 15, 2015 at 10:04 AM.
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So, with a steering wheel, you're looking for 2 things, really:
-a size that's comfortable for your shoulder width
-small enough that it doesn't hit your thighs
-large enough that it doesn't make it too damn hard to turn (not a problem when moving, but for a DD car that's parked and such, it's more of an issue)
About 12.5 to 13" is what you normally see in a dual-use car, and it works for most people.
Measure the depth of your stock wheel, and get something similar. Remember, if the wheel is not as deep as you need, you can always add a spacer.
One of my favorites is the Momo competition wheel.
[link]http://www.momousa.com/tuning/steering-wheels/competition.html[/link]
It doesn't have a stripe, but it about the right size for an average-sized dude.
Their racing line has stripes, and you could choose a wheel to your heart's content.
[link]http://www.momousa.com/racing/steering-wheels.html[/link]
One thing I've learned: companies like Grant will sell you a nice-looking wheel with a polyurethane rim. Don't go that route - while it's cheap, the poly gets really slick really easily. Best to go with leather or leather-like vinyl.
Have fun!
-a size that's comfortable for your shoulder width
-small enough that it doesn't hit your thighs
-large enough that it doesn't make it too damn hard to turn (not a problem when moving, but for a DD car that's parked and such, it's more of an issue)
About 12.5 to 13" is what you normally see in a dual-use car, and it works for most people.
Measure the depth of your stock wheel, and get something similar. Remember, if the wheel is not as deep as you need, you can always add a spacer.
One of my favorites is the Momo competition wheel.
[link]http://www.momousa.com/tuning/steering-wheels/competition.html[/link]
It doesn't have a stripe, but it about the right size for an average-sized dude.
Their racing line has stripes, and you could choose a wheel to your heart's content.
[link]http://www.momousa.com/racing/steering-wheels.html[/link]
One thing I've learned: companies like Grant will sell you a nice-looking wheel with a polyurethane rim. Don't go that route - while it's cheap, the poly gets really slick really easily. Best to go with leather or leather-like vinyl.
Have fun!