FD steering wheel in 90-91 Vert
08-29-11, 01:00 PM
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Driving RX7's since 1979
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FD steering wheel in 90-91 Vert
To memorialize as I could not find any threads that discuss this kind of S5 Vert modification.
90-91 Verts being airbag cars, and "air bag" boldly marked on the VIN plate for any cop to see and removing the airbag a federal offense, steering wheel upgrade alternatives are limited. Many are willing to cross that line and go to a simple after market non-airbag wheel, I'm not one of those.
So, on a lark, I picked up an FD steering wheel to see how hard it would be to retrofit it onto my 1991 AutoVert. Answer, it is absolutely a direct bolt on plug and play alternative.
Disconnect the battery (important!). THEN remove four 10mm nuts from the back and the FC airbag comes off to expose the center mounting nut, airbag connector, and horn connector. First disconnect the horn connector, then the airbag connector, remove the center nut (I believe 21mm), wiggle by alternating pulling on left then right a few times, off comes the FC wheel.
Remove the airbag off the FD wheel by removing three 10mm bolts from the back, line up the wheel with the clock spring (easy, just line up the arrows at the top and make sure the plastic clock spring studs line up with the wheel mount points at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock), slide on, and tighten the mounting nut. Connect the two connectors and gently press into the lower left area so the connectors or wiring doesn't get in between the mounting of the airbag bolt in points, firmly seat the airbag, and then finish installation with the three 10mm nuts. THEN reconnect the battery.
That is it, no rewiring, no grinding, nothing more.
I'm sure I've increased my horsepower by 10 whp with this simple mod since it now "feels" more like an FD.
90-91 Verts being airbag cars, and "air bag" boldly marked on the VIN plate for any cop to see and removing the airbag a federal offense, steering wheel upgrade alternatives are limited. Many are willing to cross that line and go to a simple after market non-airbag wheel, I'm not one of those.
So, on a lark, I picked up an FD steering wheel to see how hard it would be to retrofit it onto my 1991 AutoVert. Answer, it is absolutely a direct bolt on plug and play alternative.
Disconnect the battery (important!). THEN remove four 10mm nuts from the back and the FC airbag comes off to expose the center mounting nut, airbag connector, and horn connector. First disconnect the horn connector, then the airbag connector, remove the center nut (I believe 21mm), wiggle by alternating pulling on left then right a few times, off comes the FC wheel.
Remove the airbag off the FD wheel by removing three 10mm bolts from the back, line up the wheel with the clock spring (easy, just line up the arrows at the top and make sure the plastic clock spring studs line up with the wheel mount points at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock), slide on, and tighten the mounting nut. Connect the two connectors and gently press into the lower left area so the connectors or wiring doesn't get in between the mounting of the airbag bolt in points, firmly seat the airbag, and then finish installation with the three 10mm nuts. THEN reconnect the battery.
That is it, no rewiring, no grinding, nothing more.
I'm sure I've increased my horsepower by 10 whp with this simple mod since it now "feels" more like an FD.
