Drftn280zxt Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 OKay guys I need a second opinion, and some. What is better for drifting/autoX 13.5" (330mm) wheel or 13" wheel (350mm) And based off of that here are some wheels that I decided fit my taste. Lap3 Sparco Wheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilC Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 I like the top one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drftn280zxt Posted November 26, 2005 Author Share Posted November 26, 2005 Here is my major concern, quality! I know Sparco has a huge reputation for having great products. But so does MSA. But I about a year and a half ago puchased a Naugahyde Shift Knob From MSA and now that knob like to spin. The way the knob was assembled seems questionable, a splined metal "screw head" pressed into compressed cardboard. Well overtime that cardboard has given way and the splines not longer have as much to grip on in. Is this the same durability I can expect from the steering wheel? I think the Carbon Fiber one is out of the question. It would get scratched over time and might even fade into a gross yellow. Not to mention I think that wheel would be kind of slippery. Not exactly what I want in my hands if I have to make abrupt maneuvers. I kinda question the Seude wheel idea to. Wouldn't that just wear smooth after a while? I know that with by skate shoes that were seude after rubbing against one another so many times the "fuzziness" just work away leaving a slick, smooth surface behind, which is not better than the Carbon Wheel! I think you can see where I'm heading with this. I want a Leather/Naughahyde/Alcantara wheel, but I do not want it to fall apart. Do you think the MSA unit will hold up, or should I just pay the extra "dough" and get a really high quality steering wheel that is bound to hold up for a long long time? Oh yeah and once again. 13" or 13.5" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drftn280zxt Posted November 26, 2005 Author Share Posted November 26, 2005 Okay now that I've got your attention what do you think would be a better steering wheel size for autoX/drifting but still be feasable to use for daily driving. Also this is for more 280zx, which does have power steering. 13" (330mm), or 13.5" (350mm) This probably sounds like a silly thing to get hung up on, but I am. If it helps, to shy to tell what size wheel you use. All I know is that the 14.5 wheels in my car seems way to big. So I know for sure I want it to be at least and inch smaller in diameter, but would the extra 0.5" be pushing it too much? Oh and while I am at it here are the wheels I am considering. Sparco Lap 3 Motorsport Autocross Wheel MSA Evolution Wheel I'm not sure I really like the "evo" one, seems too stock looking Also how do you place a custom order for Volk Wheels? I in there calalogue you see "custom" offsets to like -1, but on a 11" rim. What if you need a 12" rim with -13 offset or something, how do you get that? Also how are Gramlights compared to Volks "typical" forged wheels (GT-C, GT-V, TE-37 etc)? Yes I know they are made both by Rays Engineering/Mackin Industries, but is anything really lost by going with the advanced casting design? I mean the weights of the wheels are very close in weight. These wheels are awesome! 57pro Gramlights, silver and these T57-RC I wonder if they come with the option of the rounded lip like the 57pro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir_daniel Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 i've got a luigi steeringwheel, nice quality, feel good when you use it, good gripping. ok the exhausttemp. gauge looks a bit od, but still they fit, so if you want an extra 2" gauge you know where to put it the horn button i rewired so i use the headlight "cleaning" button (hence i taken thoos away and used some glassfiber to get rid of them when i repainted it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Ive had a Grant, blah. Fell apart within 2 months. Ive had a MOMO, double blah, waste of money. Grips made squeaky noises when squeezed, and then fell apart. I went to the Long Beach Veterans Stadium High Performance Swap Meet about 2 years ago. I ran into a guy who had 2 Dino Steering wheels layed out on a towel. He wanted $25 for each, and i bought them. The quality is outstanding. They are a very sexy wheel. I am still on the first one, and it was about 10 years old and used before i bought it. Check out Dino Steering wheels. They are a marine wheel for boats. I have mine installed in the 280zx with an adapter. Im not sure if it comes with the wheel. I believe all aftermarket wheels require adapters. http://www.dinomarine.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaysZ Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 my friend has an awesome Sparco wheel with Alcantara on the top of the wheel and although nice and grippy, it will get "fuzzy" over time and use. i've got a Grant wheel with the carbon fiber finish and it isn't slippery (feels great actually, nice thickness) and hasn't faded but it did get knicked and scratched. i think for something that involves more than just leisurely driving (drifting, racing in general) a steering wheel is going to get worn down no matter what kind.. its just the nature of it. my suggestion is to just get a good wheel that isn't too expensive with a durable finish.. leather perhaps. a buddy of mine is building up a race porsche 944 and bought this wheel and put the momo horn button in, its nicer than we expected and was only $45 shipped! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Offical-MTVs-PIMP-MY-RIDE-320mm-Race-Steering-Wheel_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33704QQitemZ8017927812QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drftn280zxt Posted November 26, 2005 Author Share Posted November 26, 2005 That doesn't really answer my question guys. What size would you use/ do you use? Anyone have a MSA steering wheel? How would you rate the quality of its construction? And what do you think of the steering wheels I posted pics of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z Draci Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 I can't really comment on the size, but I can tell you that the MSA steering wheels (which are Grant wheels) have poor contruction. The stitching isn't even straight and the entire thing feels like a elementary school craft project. I'd definately go for a Momo or Sparco. Since you have power steering, I'd go with the smaller wheel. If you have big monster hands, I'd go with the larger one to help you flick it around better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 12" is too small, they use those on go karts. 13" is perfect, thats a common size for aftermarket steering wheels. 14" is too big, thats going back to stock. TBH i dont like any of those wheels you posted. Im sold on the quality of Dino steering wheels. Hey, you asked Also, if you are an audio buff, Dino offers a sport wheel that has controls that work with major brand stereos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaysZ Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 320mm to 350mm.. no more or no less. IMHO, the perfect size is 320mm. if you have fat legs, go for the "D" shape (flat bottom) lol. consider something like the Momo Apache (350mm) since it has the thumb pads, its pricey but you may be able to find one on ebay used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 I like a 13" wheel too. I have an older Grant that looks very much like your carbon fiber wheel but with vinyl on the rim. It's OK. I have no complaints about the stitching. Maybe the quality issues are a more recent development??? Mine is at least 10 years old. I do wish the rim was a little thicker, but I can say that having used a 15, a 14, and a 13 the 13 is definitely the best, and having used 4 spokes and 3 spokes, 3 spokes is also preferred IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drftn280zxt Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 Thanks guys I really appreciate. I think I will go with the 13" wheel since that seemed like the ideal size. Also on another note, would the MSA mounting hib work with the SPARCO wheel? I mean they have the same hub center and are six bolts I believe. My reasoning is a) I am not sure SPARCO has a mounting hub for my car and two, odds are good that the MSA unit might be cheaper. Or do you think it would be better just to get everything SPARCO? Lap3 wheel I will most likely get the silver one since that matches my color theme perfectly Plus I think it makes this wheel look better all around. For $250.00 this wheel had better be damn good. Plus however much for the hub It'll be worth though, I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 250 is insane for a steering wheel. Are you sure you arent brand name shopping just to say you own a Sparco? Hopefully you arent, some of those brand names are crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Go 13" on the steering wheel... a smaller wheel means less total hand movement when you are turning the car, and as long as the effort isn't too high, it should lead to "faster hands"... I use a 13" on my Z without power steering and I don't find it to be a problem at all, should just totally fine on a ZX with power steering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drftn280zxt Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 No, I just want to make sure I get a good durable wheel. If I have to pay a little more for it, so be it. If I could get Sparco quality for $120 or something, I would definitely jump on it. By no means am I excited to have to pay that much a wheel I know some name brands are crap, look at Grant. But Sparco has a very good reputation for quality, and if WRC, D1GP, and JGTC drivers are willing to risk their lives to SPARCO's products, I think I too should feel comfortable with it. So I am more of quality shopping-just so happens that it will cost a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KTM-EXC Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Since I am on a small budget I just got a Bride wheel off ebay- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-BRIDE-LEATHER-STEERING-WHEEL-ALTIMA-MAXIMA-350Z_W0QQitemZ8017794403QQcategoryZ33704QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem and then got this- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOMO-Steering-Wheel-Hub-Adapter-Nissan-280ZX-510-610_W0QQitemZ8015480415QQcategoryZ33704QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem also off ebay but it's the same exact thing MSA sells. I just ordered it so I couldn't tell you about the quality but a few other people at ZDRIVER did the same thing and it worked great for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Since I am on a small budget I just got a Bride wheel off ebay- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-BRIDE-LEATHER-STEERING-WHEEL-ALTIMA-MAXIMA-350Z_W0QQitemZ8017794403QQcategoryZ33704QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemand then got this- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOMO-Steering-Wheel-Hub-Adapter-Nissan-280ZX-510-610_W0QQitemZ8015480415QQcategoryZ33704QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem also off ebay but it's the same exact thing MSA sells. I just ordered it so I couldn't tell you about the quality but a few other people at ZDRIVER did the same thing and it worked great for them. Thanks for the heads up... I just carbon copied your purchase... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaime240z Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 WOW That's a smokin' deal on the Bride wheel! I wish I would have known that before I dropped big buck$$ on my MOMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 the bride wheel is niiiiice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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