I thought I share this info.. I was checking about this few months back.. I finally got hold of 2001+ Miata Nardi steering wheel.. I wanted to know if the 99 Nardi bag is the same size and shape as the 2001+ Miata nardi bag...

the answer is.. YES!

Also, the steering wheel looks identical..
except small holes in the back.. I think all needs to do is drill couple of holes.. But since everything looked the same.. i just put my 99 steering wheel with Miata bag..

here are some pics... (pics will be up for 60 days..)


Collection of my wheels..


Miata on top, 99 Nardi bottom.. difference is the Nardi rectangular logo on the wheel.




bags off..

 

Bags swapped.. 99 nardi bag with Miata wheel and Miata bag with 99 Nardi wheel..


On my car..

Bonus pic...

This morning when I came to work.. and getting out of my car, I saw an RX8.. so, I had to take this pic..

 

Does this mean I can run to Malloy and order a >2001 Miata steering wheel and it WILL FIT INTO the FD?

 

Oh yeah, what is a battery doing in the passenger side?

And is that an afternarket fiberglass fender on your car?

 

With small mod I think it will fit.. I just swap the air bag..

Ohh.. the battery is relocated.. but haven't put in to my rear bin..

 

Is the '99 wheel any smaller than the stock one? Doesn't look like it from the pic if it is..

 

And yes, its aftermarket fender.. I'm not too happy with them.. I'm thinking about going back to stock.. we'll see..

Its Border Racing replica..

 

I have a 99 FD nardi wheel for sale. excellent cond

Has the proper U.S. elect plugs for the horn & air bag already installed.

It's a plug & play set up

$420 with FedEx 2nd day shipping included.

PM or email me @

elkozak@hotmail.com

Thanks

 

I don't know.. I'll check it tonight or tomorrow..

 

Thanks. I'm looking for a smaller wheel to help with not crossing my arms on when on the track but I really hate the thought of giving up the airbag...

 

I understand.. I want to say that the 99 or Miata wheels are smaller.. I was driving to work and it feels different.. i'll check it though..

I would go with getting an Miata wheel.. i know Jesse Lau did to his car.. And few others have done it with Protege nardi wheels.. By my observation, all it need is the two holes.. I'll take some pics and measurements tomorrow.. Hope this might help others.. I had really hard time getting answers from other FD owners..

 

i also have a 99+ nardi wheel from japan (havent installed it yet) but is everyone saying that i could have jst bought a 2001+ miata wheel and it would be the exact same wheel??? i understand the airbag is the same but does someone know about the actual wheel..... if so i will feel like quite a chump cause it was expensive.

 

I put a MS Protege wheel on my car. All these wheels are identical with only minor differences with the connection for turn signals and air bag connectors, which can be cut off and replaced. The only other differences are trim details. For example the one shown here is all black while mine has silver sides and silver stitching (very rare). Another rare one is the RZ with red stitching. Details can be found on my site.

 

dis1,

I did look at your site.. I wasn't sure if protege wheels were same as the miata's..

Rotormotor, i will go home tonight and take some detail comparision pics.. i was helping my buddy with his reverse light... and didn't get home until late..

 

I didn't get a chance to take a pic this morning.. but did match it with the older stock.. Its slightly smaller.. I mean.. Very slightly smaller.. mayber 5mm smaller in radius..

 

ah i see, as far as perforations i believe some of the 99+ wheels had a perforated middle section? is that a FD only wheel?

 

i switched to the momo wheel and i am happy i did........got in an accident and no air bag to punch in my face.......walked away unharmed which is a good thing!

 

airbag is a good thing no? you get punched in the face but you wont break your kneck

 

if you sit properly and wear your seatbelt. you should not contact the steering. if the car is crushed and you are gonna contact the steering wheel. the air bag does NOTHING.... i'm not a fan of airbags and have heard some HORROR stories about them exploding in your face knocking out teeth. broken nose etc when you didn't need to...

 

I am wondering that how much and where can I get the
2001+ Miata nardi bag? Thanks!!

 

I got mine from Canada..

 

Get it used? Would you mind telling me how much did you buy?

 

I paid pretty low.. in the 100's... But I did have to wait 3 months..

 

The purpose of an airbag is not to prevent you from hitting the steering wheel. What happens in an accident is that a force acts upon the car which is strong enough to counterract its momentum but since you're not directly coupled to the car you tend to keep going forward. The seatbelt then grabs you and brings you back into coupling with the car, and when this happens you decelerate very suddenly. This is what causes most injuries...whiplash, etc.

The point of the bag is not to explode and meet you halfway while still exploding to deliver a knockout punch, but to inflate all the way before the belts grab you so that your whole upper body running into it is what deflates the bag. This slows your forward motion so that the deceleration when the belts grab you is less drastic. All of this happens in the instant before the seatbelt runs out of slack.

As long as you don't sit too close to the bag (i.e. like an old lady) then it will indeed help to reduce the risk of injury in an accident.

 

Take a look on ebay and Mx-5 forums. I found mine on a Protege forum. Just use your head... If you wanted a part from a 3rd gen Rx-7 where would you look? Now just reverse that logic.