LocostUSA.com

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.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

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.

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

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,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

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.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

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.

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,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

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.

_________________
Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

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.

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-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

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.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

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,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

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).

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

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.

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Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

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

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

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.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

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

_________________
Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

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.

_________________
Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress