Aftermarket steering wheels

[KingKong8247]

Hey, I was wondering what the advantages of having an aftermarket steering wheel if any. All i can think of is maybe lighter weight, better grip i guess and looks, anything else I missed?  Thanks

[AKADriver]

weight isn't really an issue...

one big reason - aftermarket wheels are typically smaller in diameter, which increases steering effort slightly.. maybe not what you want on the street, but light steering can be annoying on the track.

Also, many cars, especially newer American cars or older Japanese cars, will have steering wheels with the spokes in weird places. &nbsp;This can mess up hand positioning for performance driving. &nbsp;The S13 steering wheel spokes are spaced perfectly <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[adey]

Small steering wheel diameter gives the car a more solid, 'planted' feel. Freeway driving used to be a little jittery and the car seemed to go all over the place... with my 310mm wheel (12 1/4" or so) it feels so much more stable on the freeway!
Increased turning effort is part of why it feels so much stiffer/firmer/sure-footed. I say go for it! Just don't get an HKB hub! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':sly:'>

[drifterX87]

It also gives you less of a turning radius. &nbsp;Look at the NASCAR steering wheels, compared to the Formula 1's. &nbsp;The F1 you only need to move your hands a little, in contrast to your whole arms with NASCAR. &nbsp;Its not much, but depeding on what youre doing, it can make a difference.

Kerrigan

[Natty]

I agree, the s13 wheel is perfect. However, I am 6'2" and I can't heel toe because my knees hit the wheel (and I am uncoordinated anyways &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> )
And they looks pretty sweet.
Jeff

[sykikchimp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Natty @ Nov. 17 2002,2:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I agree, the s13 wheel is perfect. However, I am 6'2" and I can't heel toe because my knees hit the wheel (and I am uncoordinated anyways <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> )
And they looks pretty sweet.
Jeff</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
thats my reasoning.. &nbsp;need more knee clearance.. and the steering tends to be too light on the 240.. &nbsp;makes me have a tendency to turn in too hard..

[uiuc240]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (drifterX87 @ Nov. 17 2002,09:26)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">It also gives you less of a turning radius. Look at the NASCAR steering wheels, compared to the Formula 1's. The F1 you only need to move your hands a little, in contrast to your whole arms with NASCAR. Its not much, but depeding on what youre doing, it can make a difference.

Kerrigan</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
not really. &nbsp;the amount of turns from lock-to-lock are set by the steering rack. &nbsp;the only thing that changes is the radial distance your arms have to move to accomplish the task. &nbsp;the reason F1 drivers only move a little bit is that the steering ratio is around 8:1...our car is something like 15:1

Eric

[hurleyboi514]

a guy on FA has his steering rack modified to lower the steering ratio. &nbsp;you need new rods (i think JIC is the only one with them), and something else, i forget, but that'd be cool to do if your car handled well.

[uiuc240]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (hurleyboi514 @ Nov. 18 2002,5:29)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">a guy on FA has his steering rack modified to lower the steering ratio. you need new rods (i think JIC is the only one with them), and something else, i forget, but that'd be cool to do if your car handled well.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Actually, no. &nbsp;That's Mike, DJElektrique, and he explained it this way. &nbsp;Basically you just use longer tie rods with some shims, and that allows you to turn *more* but not any faster. &nbsp;In fact, he said that if you're not careful, you can get your steering too far over, and it's hard to correct. &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/nervous.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':nervous:'>

Eric