hello everyone! glad to see you opened this post meaning i am either crazy or you're also interested!

Anyways, I have been toying with the idea of running an RX8 steering wheel on my 86 RX7. REASON: to have steering wheel controls for my aftermarket radio!

There is no other reason other than I like the idea of not having a huge remote solely for volume and track select.

I know the clockspring is different but not sure what it does, ANY help would be greatly appreciated!

 

the clock spring is different because the FC doesn't HAVE one.

so i think you will need the steering wheel, airbag*, clock spring** and it would be nice to have the connector that plugged into the clock spring.

oh actually i have no idea if the radio buttons would work on anything other than the stock radio, that would be your job. also the Rx8 in other markets doesn't have cruise control, so if you wanted to delete those buttons, there is a blank cover.

pretty sure the steering wheel will just go right on, but the clock spring will have to be custom mounted to the FC, hopefully there is room. if not you might want to use the 90-91 Vert meter hood/combo switch/and steering column covers, as that had an airbag and clock spring. or maybe even adapt the Rx8 stuff to the FC.

*airbags are dangerous, you can't ship them by air because its considered a bomb.
** the clock spring is designed so the steering wheel can turn from lock to lock, AND have the electrical stuff be 100% connected. its literally one of those big spiral springs like you'd see in an old clock.

 

There is a guy locally on CL selling the wheel cheap with airbag in tact. There is a receiver for my Alpine that allows steering wheel controls to be plugged into it. As long as the wheel will bolt up I will be happy. I dont need the airbag to function or the cruise control. I would just like to have it work as mine does now (as in turn the vehicle) and be safe

 

None that I've seen have any actual springs, clocklike or not.
In fact, they are disappointingly straightforward being just a length of flat ribbon cable inside the housing.
It winds and unwinds with enough extra slack not to bind at lock.
That's why you need to perform the "centering procedure" (explained on a decal on the housing)...so you don't stretch/break the ribbon.

Fitting the clockspring assembly on the steering column is no trivial matter...the FC has a very unique bezel and switchgear, neither of which leave room for the clockspring. Also, almost the first thing you'll have to do is remove the stock steering column position sensor bracket from the column itself.
This bracket is welded on and while not really difficult to grind off, you're basically committing to the project before you know if it can work because you can't go back.

Doesn't the RX8 run a CAN BUS system?
If so, do you understand it and can that interface with your head unit?

 

Haven't looked that deep, I have figured out that I don't have to do much leg work by posting a question here

 

it does, but i think the steering wheel to radio is just normal wires.

 

well the guy is taking 50$ for the entire assembly. meaning if it doesnt fit, i will sell it on ebay for 150 seeing so the wheel sells for 100 alone, the airbag i know is worth quite a bit but for 150 itll cover the wheel and the adapter and ill be happy to not be stuck with them!

 

3rd Gen gentlemen did it with working radio controls.

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-ext...l-fits-951675/

 

Yeah, but 3rd gens come stock with airbags/clocksprings and column mounted switchgear...unlike the FC.

The wheel will fit and a horn ring can be modded on, getting the buttons to work will be very difficult.

 

Well I will be picking it up this week and hopefully thursday trying the wheel on for size. I will gladly keep the progress documented here! with pictures of course

 

Be careful during your first fitup,,,the holes in the wheel hub for the transfer collar are probably 90° off and will need redrilling.
You can just remove the collar to try the wheel out (I'm pretty sure the splines/taper will work) but you'll need to fit the collar eventually.

 

thank you guys for the feedback and advice! as i said i will be picking it up thursday and testing the fitment of it. if i am comfortable there, i will check in with the guys at PAC and see if their SWI-JACK is the right solution for me. Thanks again!

 

thats probably your only bet.
not to be a dick but, is it that hard to just reach over and change track/volume? lol i feel this is alot more work than needed. but hey different strokes right? i just rest my hand on my shifter and can reach my buttons just fine.

 

I think it would be crappy having to see buttons that wont ever work (though I still think this is an awesome idea). I wonder if Mazda has the trim plates to replace those, for say, a base RX8 that may not have had steering wheel controls. I'm not familiar with the trim levels of that car...

 

in the US every Rx8 has the steering wheel radio controls and cruise. in europe the have cars without cruise, so there is a blank plate for that.

 

I'd love to replace my momo with an RX8 wheel...

 

With two exceptions, the 1990 Vert and 1991 Vert. 3rd gen wheels is plug and play to those.

 

A 3rd gen wheel is easily adapted to a "regular" FC as well, long as you don't care about the clockspring and the wheel mounted buttons.
In fact, lots of Mazda wheels (also, some Mitsubishi) will bolt to the column.
I've personally used both FD and 626 wheels on my FC.

 

As I said if it cant work I will be selling it.

 

Its not so much of being lazy, its more of doing something that I haven't seen in my neck of the woods. I do have the remote for the radio, but Its something I want. There are plenty of Honda/Vdub/"Drifters" where I am from but there are 3 FCs and 2 FDs. Plus, I don't want to put money into the performance of this car because I am in college and other than exhaust, suspension, and an intake, I don't know of any worthwhile mods that will be worth the money/effort. so I try to keep costs down and have features that not many people have here. Makes me sleep better at night.

P.S.

Me and a buddy of mine always have this unspoken competition. His car is faster and would probably win in a race seeing so he is a better driver, so I compensate by making him jealous with my features

 

[QUOTE=clokker;11304082]
Fitting the clockspring assembly on the steering column is no trivial matter...the FC has a very unique bezel and switchgear, neither of which leave room for the clockspring. Also, almost the first thing you'll have to do is remove the stock steering column position sensor bracket from the column itself.
This bracket is welded on and while not really difficult to grind off, you're basically committing to the project before you know if it can work because you can't go back.

What does a clockspring do? Sorry, I am still relatively new to cars.

 

The "clockspring" is simply a way of transferring signals from the stationary column to the rotating steering wheel.
In essence, it's a box with a length of ribbon cable inside, the cable being long enough to wrap/unwrap as the wheel goes from lock to lock.

You'll see a very simplified version of the concept on some race cars that use what looks like old telephone coiled cable connected to the wheel.

 

Its not that IT cant work...

 

The steering wheel has wires hanging out of them, would I be able to extend those?

 

i dont see why not? be careful ******* with airbags...