'99 Spec Steering Wheel - far and away the best mod I've completed
03-27-13, 04:31 PM
#1
Friendly stalker
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'99 Spec Steering Wheel - far and away the best mod I've completed
Hey guys
I spent a lot of time and effort debating as to whether or not I wanted to upgrade to the '99 spec Nardi wheel. It's only 10mm smaller than the OEM wheel, they're not cheap - done well, etc etc etc.
I ended up in a place where I wished THIS thread existed, so here goes - some feedback
I am absolutely giddy driving my FD now, I was always a little disappointed about the feedback received from the OEM FD steering wheel. I find that to be the biggest difference with the '99 spec wheel. Being smaller in diameter and thicker in rim, the change in steering feel is NIGHT AND DAY different. I have driven a good number of performance cars, and the only one that I think has better steering feel is the E46 M3 - and now, it's only winning by a hair!
The 10mm difference also clears up more room than you'd expect for tall guys like me - I don't think RZ Recaros are compulsory anymore - still want them, but the cockpit is so much more functional.
Many, MANY thanks go GoodfellaFD3S - he sourced the wheel and a flying M airbag for me, made it a plug and play ordeal and had it recovered a la Spirit R, with the nicest leather I've laid hands on, and red JDM stitching.
Worth EVERY last cent, and if I were looking to source another wheel, I would go through him time and time again.
Just thought thanks where thanks were due.
I spent a lot of time and effort debating as to whether or not I wanted to upgrade to the '99 spec Nardi wheel. It's only 10mm smaller than the OEM wheel, they're not cheap - done well, etc etc etc.
I ended up in a place where I wished THIS thread existed, so here goes - some feedback
I am absolutely giddy driving my FD now, I was always a little disappointed about the feedback received from the OEM FD steering wheel. I find that to be the biggest difference with the '99 spec wheel. Being smaller in diameter and thicker in rim, the change in steering feel is NIGHT AND DAY different. I have driven a good number of performance cars, and the only one that I think has better steering feel is the E46 M3 - and now, it's only winning by a hair!
The 10mm difference also clears up more room than you'd expect for tall guys like me - I don't think RZ Recaros are compulsory anymore - still want them, but the cockpit is so much more functional.
Many, MANY thanks go GoodfellaFD3S - he sourced the wheel and a flying M airbag for me, made it a plug and play ordeal and had it recovered a la Spirit R, with the nicest leather I've laid hands on, and red JDM stitching.
Worth EVERY last cent, and if I were looking to source another wheel, I would go through him time and time again.
Just thought thanks where thanks were due.
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Lupin3rd (01-02-20)
03-27-13, 05:04 PM
#6
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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Yep, the Nardi spec wheel for our cars is a fantastic addition to the car.
Frees up leg room, and the steering feels alot sportier. Amazing what 10mm will do.
And no, none of the gauges are blocked. Everything looks the same as your original steering wheel. It's a fantastic upgrade!
Now for those RZ Recaro seats...
Frees up leg room, and the steering feels alot sportier. Amazing what 10mm will do.
And no, none of the gauges are blocked. Everything looks the same as your original steering wheel. It's a fantastic upgrade!
Now for those RZ Recaro seats...
03-27-13, 05:43 PM
#7
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03-27-13, 05:54 PM
#8
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That looks great. My car came with an RX-8 wheel. I love the feel, but no horn and no airbags. I just got all the wiring diagrams and need to get to work on it to make it safe...
I agree about the diameter of the wheel, the larger taurus (circle shape around the outside of the wheel) and smaller overall diameter are an awesome change. The stock ones I have driven make the car feel a little dated. Hard to believe a sterring wheel can make so much difference. But then how much of the car do you touch around corners? Seat/wheel/pedals...
I agree about the diameter of the wheel, the larger taurus (circle shape around the outside of the wheel) and smaller overall diameter are an awesome change. The stock ones I have driven make the car feel a little dated. Hard to believe a sterring wheel can make so much difference. But then how much of the car do you touch around corners? Seat/wheel/pedals...
03-27-13, 07:26 PM
#11
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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Yep. Same wheel as the NB miata.
Only difference is, for the FD, there are 2 plastic round pegs which sit on the steering hub. If you grab a wheel off the Miata, you'll notice there are no places for the pegs to sit in. Which of course, you need to machine some holes into the hub of the steering wheel before you can attempt to install the wheel on the FD.
The round pegs belong to the turn indicator stalk. It's to automatically revert the turn signal to neutrel when you complete the turn.
Otherwise, it's the same wheel.
Only difference is, for the FD, there are 2 plastic round pegs which sit on the steering hub. If you grab a wheel off the Miata, you'll notice there are no places for the pegs to sit in. Which of course, you need to machine some holes into the hub of the steering wheel before you can attempt to install the wheel on the FD.
The round pegs belong to the turn indicator stalk. It's to automatically revert the turn signal to neutrel when you complete the turn.
Otherwise, it's the same wheel.
03-28-13, 09:36 AM
#15
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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That is the kicker with this steering wheel. None of them came with cruise control buttons.
However, there is a small chance you can get the buttons from a protege. Yes, this style of wheel came with cruise control buttons on the protege. It doesn't say nardi, but it's similar looking.
I've seen a few people attempt to get the cruise control buttons to work from the old wheel. But it doesn't look right. Slightly misaligned due to the slight difference of the wheel.
Try to find the cruise control buttons from the protege.
Not too sure how much modification needs to be done to incorporate the buttons onto the wheel. I know it'll sit alot more flush than the original cruise control buttons from the original wheel.
However, there is a small chance you can get the buttons from a protege. Yes, this style of wheel came with cruise control buttons on the protege. It doesn't say nardi, but it's similar looking.
I've seen a few people attempt to get the cruise control buttons to work from the old wheel. But it doesn't look right. Slightly misaligned due to the slight difference of the wheel.
Try to find the cruise control buttons from the protege.
Not too sure how much modification needs to be done to incorporate the buttons onto the wheel. I know it'll sit alot more flush than the original cruise control buttons from the original wheel.
03-28-13, 02:01 PM
#16
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I've got a rewrapped miata wheel in my car and while I absolutely love it and consider it one of my best mods... I find it very hard to believe anyone can objectively say the updated wheel does not (at least slightly) obstruct your vision of your gauges.
Even if they are still visible and work fine... the smaller wheel does make reading the gauges slightly more difficult. After all, we look through the wheel to view our gauges and that is just what happens when the steering wheel is smaller.
Even if they are still visible and work fine... the smaller wheel does make reading the gauges slightly more difficult. After all, we look through the wheel to view our gauges and that is just what happens when the steering wheel is smaller.
03-28-13, 04:49 PM
#17
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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Hmmm, I didn't notice too much of a difference. To say there isn't a difference would be a lie.
I think maybe a mm or 2??? I can still see all of them just fine without doing some crazy head tilting to see through the wheel....
Are you having a hard time reading a specific gauge???
I think maybe a mm or 2??? I can still see all of them just fine without doing some crazy head tilting to see through the wheel....
Are you having a hard time reading a specific gauge???
03-28-13, 05:06 PM
#18
Did you air bag light come on when you installed the wheel?
I bought a Miata Nardi wheel and went to install after making the holes, but I couldn't get the airbag light to go off.
I bought a Miata Nardi wheel and went to install after making the holes, but I couldn't get the airbag light to go off.
03-28-13, 05:18 PM
#19
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If you rewire the airbag sensor pursuant to the how-to you should not have a warning light.
The top of the tach is what gets cut off by a smaller wheel. Again, I love the wheel and am glad I did it. But people should anticipate a narrowed field of vision through the now-smaller steering wheel.
The top of the tach is what gets cut off by a smaller wheel. Again, I love the wheel and am glad I did it. But people should anticipate a narrowed field of vision through the now-smaller steering wheel.
03-28-13, 06:20 PM
#20
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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Nope. Light never came on. Just wired it up as the plugs dictated and away it went.
Love my wheel. Although, it truly is the 99spec Nardi wheel. Unlike the pic above where the Mazda logo is in the center and the Nardi symbol is at the bottom. My wheel only has the Nardi symbol in the middle.
Love my wheel. Although, it truly is the 99spec Nardi wheel. Unlike the pic above where the Mazda logo is in the center and the Nardi symbol is at the bottom. My wheel only has the Nardi symbol in the middle.
03-29-13, 03:43 PM
#23
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i installed my nardi wheel a couple weeks ago (6'3), i was really surprized in the extra leg room! also it looks 20x's better than the old beater wheel, i was a lil skeptical when connecting the battery after we soldering the new wheel in but had no problems at all.
03-29-13, 05:46 PM
#24
Friendly stalker
Thread Starter
i installed my nardi wheel a couple weeks ago (6'3), i was really surprized in the extra leg room! also it looks 20x's better than the old beater wheel, i was a lil skeptical when connecting the battery after we soldering the new wheel in but had no problems at all.
I'm amazed how much more livable the cabin is with my Spirit R Nardi wheel.
04-01-13, 08:49 AM
#25
Original Gangster/Rotary!
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Glad you're happy with the wheel Matt
I've always maintained getting rid of the school-bus style steering wheels is the best thing you can do for an FD interior, other than that they'r almost perfect from the factory..... as long as you don't actually USE the map door or the passenger interior grab handles
I've always maintained getting rid of the school-bus style steering wheels is the best thing you can do for an FD interior, other than that they'r almost perfect from the factory..... as long as you don't actually USE the map door or the passenger interior grab handles