I went and looked at a 98 FD today, and I noticed that the gap between my thighs and stock airbag steering wheel was...tiny. Enough to be a problem during high-performance driving.

And even though this particular FD was the top model, it didn't have an adjustable steering column. Is this normal?

Is it worth getting rid of an airbag to put a smaller steering wheel and spacer?

 

It is very tight. No the steering column is not adjustable.

 

depends how you feel about airbags and how safe you are without one.

 

Got racing seats/roll bar/harnesses....I always say get rid of the stock steering wheel. If you don't, then it is your call. My '83 RX-7 doesn't have a factory airbag and it has never bothered me much, but it will bother some people.

I'm 6'3" tall and had a 350mm wheel (Momo) on my previous FD w/ power steering and it was a huge improvement over stock (380mm I believe). It was a great setup.

My current FD has a 330mm wheel (Personal) and no power steering....I would not recommend this for the street as it is very difficult to turn while stopped.

Both of my cars have had race seats/harnesses and both my aftermarket wheels had quick release hubs (don't remember the first brand, but using the NRG Short Hub and V2 quick-release this time).

Here's my pros/cons list:

Pros:
-Heel and Toe is much easier and more natural
-Sheds some pounds in the cockpit
-Better feel and much less bulky feeling
-Looks better

Cons:
-Lose the airbag (maybe not a con)
-Harder to see the gauges (smaller diameter blocks the tops of the tach/speedo)
-Much harder to turn if you have removed power steering

Here are pictures of my current setup....sorry for the quality...from my old T-Mobile G1 when I first installed the wheel.

 

I recently installed a Nardi 330mm deep corn wheel with 1 inch spacer to bring the wheel out more. That coupled with a 50mm (2 inch) smaller diameter allowed the 300 pound Greek guy to drive his car again

 

Hey now, not all Greeks are that big :P its the feta cheese

 

Is the column at a high enough angle that a spacer will make the wheel higher instead of just closer?

 

Yes, but the more important factors is the wheel itself is smaller, and your knees are behind it. So as the wheel gets closer to you the place where your legs would touch gets lower.

 

Come to think of it... I can see how your leg would be lower since the height sort of peaks at your knees. My FC never had this problem, but I got a Momo wheel anyway so it would be higher and closer.

OTOH, how does a smaller wheel effect gauge visibility? With a 350mm wheel my gauges were blocked pretty badly on my FC before I got an 80mm (actually not sure but I think it was 80mm) spacer.

I suppose that would depend on how tall you are...

 

The FC also has a tilting steering column. I have never met a person above 6'3" who can fit in the FD

 

350mm nardi deep corn

or

a thighmaster and one of these

 

My friend is 6'5" and has fit in all 3 of his with a bit of a squeeze. He also looks like a twig he's so skinny and is probably the exception, not the rule.

 

Mine doesn't tilt.

 

I don't really appreciate having my thread moved to a minor forum when it was generation-specific.

On another note, does anyone think a 75-mm dish 350 mm wheel would be high and far back enough, without blocking the gauges? Either that, or I might get another flat wheel with an 80mm spacer. Theoretically.

 

I agree that this move was unnecessary
to answer your question it entirely depends on how big (or small) you are. I checked and I don't think you posted it.

 

The stock steering wheel is 380mm. 350mm won't cover the gauges. Keep in mind that a smaller steering wheel also increases the turning effort. Not a huge deal, but just something else to remember. You can take a look through the following thread for some ideas on aftermarket steering wheels:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-general-discussion-322/post-pics-your-non-stock-steering-wheels-520375/

 

5'11"

350 without a spacer covered the gauges pretty badly on my FC. With an 80mm spacer is was perfect.

The increase in steering effort isn't that much with 350 as long as you've got PS and don't have 275 race rubber.

 

I'm 6'6" and I have a friend who is 6'5" who also owns an FD. With the stock wheel I'm not comfortable whatsoever but it's do-able. It's all in the determination.

 

7s were designed for people who are on average 5'7" with short legs and long torsos. And to be a small car on top of that.

My sunroof FC rubbed my head with the stock seat. So I got a bucket with Bride rails.