Steering wheel size?

[tibimakai]

I'm about to buy my steering wheel, and I'm wondering what sizes you are guys using, or will use?
I will have the NC Miata steering rack, with 215 wide tires at front.
I'm considering Momo Team 300(#1), or 280mm wheel/size(#2). Thanks Matt for your picture, that sold me on it.
Now I'm just wondering, if I should go with 300 or 280mm size. I don't want a "hard" steering, because the wheel is to small, after all it will be a street car only.
Any input would be appreciated.

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

Adjust the column height in the dash as needed for leg and hand/arm clearance at the bottom of the wheel while maintaining clearance to the glass and dash. Original seven column is just a steel tube and rod with a bushing in the dash and toggle control for turn signals and lights.

[Lonnie-S]

I'm using a 13 inch Grant steering wheel. It's simple and cheap. I'll dress it up with a leather wrap sometime.

In selecting the steering wheel size, I created a "seat" using the foam padding from my donor seats and trying out different sized cardboard cutouts for the steering wheel at a distance from the scuttle I felt comfortable with. From that I decided a quick release on the steering wheel is practically a requirement. My plan is to make my steering wheel tilt too, but for maintenance reasons, I decided the only realistically wat to get down into the footwell and do anything on the pedals was to be able to remove the steering wheel first.

Cheers,

Donor-Seat-Foam.JPG

[tibimakai]

I already have the seats mounted, but I don't have scuttle/dash yet.
Quick disconnect is legal here in CA?
I'm worried about steering forces, not just space/location. By the way, it is already installed permanenty.

[Lonnie-S]

I already have the seats mounted, but I don't have scuttle/dash yet.
Quick disconnect is legal here in CA?
I'm worried about steering forces, not just space/location. By the way, it is already installed permanenty.

I'm not sure if quick disconnects are legal or not. The California Vehicle Code (called The VC in DMV/CHP vocabulary) is all online. I don't know if it is searchable or not. You could try it if you're motivated.

What is it that is installed permanently? Steering shaft, seats?

You can still investigate things without all the parts. Here is my uber-sophisticated setup I used along with the "seat" I showed previously. It allowed me to do a pretty good evaluation of the situation. The scuttle shell (from Jack at Kinetic) and it's just clamped in place.

DSC03598.JPG

Unless your wheel is tiny, I don't think the steering force issue will be a big factor. It's mostly an issue in very low speed situations like parking lots anyway.

Cheers,

[tibimakai]

Thanks for all that.
Yes, the seat and steering column is all mounted.
The low speed steering effort worries me.
It would be nice to have the 280 wheel, for more space, and it is cheaper as well.
I think that I will go with the 300mm just to be sure.

[Driven5]

The 300mm wheel gives you 7% more leverage than the 280mm wheel. It certainly won't hurt, but also probably won't be a make-or-break either way.

[tibimakai]

I have just realized that these wheels have an offset from the center. How it feels to drive with an egg shape steering wheel? At least it looks that way, when you turn it.

[Lonnie-S]

So, is it somewhat flat at the bottom like some of the Momo wheels I've seen? That's probably great for leg room. I'd guess it assumes pretty quick steering since significant turns of the wheel hand-over-hand might be awkward.

I've never used one, though.

Cheers,

[KB58]

Regarding a quick-disconnect, I recommend "don't ask, don't tell" regarding the legality. Just get one that isn't brightly colored and it probably won't be noticed. As for whether one is even needed, I thought that as well, until the car was complete enough to sit in. I guarantee you that it's 100% necessary to get out, and 98% required to get in. So don't go volunteering unasked-for information at inspection time, because worst case, it could render the car unusable if they say it's not allowed (though it could always -cough - be added later after inspection - cough).

[rx7locost]

I used a 320mm steering wheel and found it to be like the 3rd bear, just right. I bought the steering wheel and quick release on eBay. I never liked the quick release. It was poorly made and very loose fitting. I later replaced that QR and replaced it with an NRG2.5 steering wheel quick release adapter. What a difference. The NRG was tight and easy to use, no slop at all. I highly recommend it if you go with the quick release function. I think that whether you will "need" one or not depends. i didn't need to use it however another person who also drove my Locost did, along with the tilt wheel function I included. As in almost everything with a Locost, YMMV.

[tibimakai]

What is the opinion on wood steering wheels for street use, not performance use?
https://tinyurl.com/Wood-steering-wheel

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

It's not one or the other. It's functionally no different. All wheels should be fully metal framed. Most wheels can be converted. CCrunner did this with one of his projects.

[tibimakai]

Some say, that for performance driving, the leather has a better grip.

[tibimakai]

I ended up buying the 320mm Momo Racer wheel.
https://momo.com/en-us/shop/race?sku=RCE32BK1B

Down the line, I may try a wooden one as well.