Interior / Exterior / Audio Talk about interior and exterior mods including audio.

RX-8 Steering wheel.....IT FITS!!!

Old 04-25-11, 08:05 AM
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RX-8 Steering wheel.....IT FITS!!!

Over the course of the next few weeks I will be documenting the details of the swap. But just for those who are wondering, the RX-8 steering wheel fits quite well into the FD.

Here are the details: Using a 2004 RX-8 steering wheel. I will be installing a PAC-SWI-PS to control the Pioneer Radio's audio, therefore making use of the Rx8's steering wheel controls (pretty straight forward). I will also try to make use of the RX-8's cruise buttons to adapt to the FD's system (not so straight forward). Mounting the Rx-8 wheel is the same as the Nardi/Protege/Miata, you just have to drill notches for the clock spring. Don't know how the airbag will wire in, as I haven't yet received it.

More to come stay tuned...
Attached Thumbnails RX-8 Steering wheel.....IT FITS!!!-photo.jpg   RX-8 Steering wheel.....IT FITS!!!-photo2.jpg  
Old 04-25-11, 08:20 AM
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pretty cool, good to know!
Old 04-25-11, 11:26 AM
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So how will you test if the airbag works or not, once you have it wired up...? What happens if you get in an accident and the airbag wasn't wired up correctly?
Old 04-25-11, 11:40 AM
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Is the steering wheel smaller in diameter than the stocker?
Old 04-25-11, 12:30 PM
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It should be similar to size to the miata and newer spec nardi ones everyone uses.
Old 04-25-11, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by hondasr4kids
Is the steering wheel smaller in diameter than the stocker?
I haven't measured it yet, but visually it appears to be only slightly smaller in overall diameter than stock, I will post a side by side pic, and take some measurements to clarify this.
Old 04-25-11, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by theorie
So how will you test if the airbag works or not, once you have it wired up...? What happens if you get in an accident and the airbag wasn't wired up correctly?
Hey B found a way for you to test it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXtza...ature=youtu.be
Old 04-25-11, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by lnbrown5981
I haven't measured it yet, but visually it appears to be only slightly smaller in overall diameter than stock, I will post a side by side pic, and take some measurements to clarify this.
I'm pretty sure its the same as the newer spec wheels. I remember reading about some others that did the same thing.
Old 04-25-11, 02:44 PM
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that is F-ing hillarious!!!! Testing will commence immediately!!!

Originally Posted by MSTHTD1
Hey B found a way for you to test it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXtza...ature=youtu.be
Old 04-25-11, 05:13 PM
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just bought an rx8 wheel for my fd. will be following your build thread.
Old 04-25-11, 09:01 PM
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FD vs. RX-8 wheel size comparision

Here is a side by side pic (FD on the left), as you can see the Rx-8 is maybe an inch smaller in overall diameter:
Attached Thumbnails RX-8 Steering wheel.....IT FITS!!!-photo.jpg  
Old 04-25-11, 09:16 PM
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^ thanks for the picture. Awaiting finished product pics
Old 04-25-11, 09:46 PM
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Do want
Old 04-25-11, 09:49 PM
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Nice!
Old 04-25-11, 11:28 PM
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more pics
Old 04-25-11, 11:58 PM
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Hmm Rx8 wheel is smaller diameter. So it will restict some the gauge pod view a little. When I was a Mazda parts manager a few years ago, I had access to one of these as a warranty return. Mazda never asked for it back so I was gonna keep it. Then my Fixed OPS manager decided to just through it away. I was pissed! The only thing I really wanted it for was to try and wire in the steering wheel radio controls.
Old 04-26-11, 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted by t-von
Hmm Rx8 wheel is smaller diameter. So it will restict some the gauge pod view a little. When I was a Mazda parts manager a few years ago, I had access to one of these as a warranty return. Mazda never asked for it back so I was gonna keep it. Then my Fixed OPS manager decided to just through it away. I was pissed! The only thing I really wanted it for was to try and wire in the steering wheel radio controls.
After looking over the RX-8 wiring diagram, I discovered that the easiest way to make the steering wheel radio controls work is through the use of a PAC-SWI-PS Pioneer (I think it works with Sony, and Jensen stereos too) steering wheel interface wired directly to the wheel and an aftermarket radio. I will find out if this works in about a week or so, as I wont have time the rest of this week to work on it.
Old 04-26-11, 08:53 AM
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subscribing. great updated look.
Old 04-26-11, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by lnbrown5981
After looking over the RX-8 wiring diagram, I discovered that the easiest way to make the steering wheel radio controls work is through the use of a PAC-SWI-PS Pioneer (I think it works with Sony, and Jensen stereos too) steering wheel interface wired directly to the wheel and an aftermarket radio. I will find out if this works in about a week or so, as I wont have time the rest of this week to work on it.


Great keep us posted. My Bimmer has me spoiled with the steering wheel radio controls. It's fare less distracting. LOL!
Old 04-27-11, 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by t-von
Great keep us posted. My Bimmer has me spoiled with the steering wheel radio controls. It's fare less distracting. LOL!
I know what you mean, my daily beater is a 98 e38, and my goal is to incorporate some of the same comfort and convenience of my bimmer into the FD, without compromising too much of its soul.
Old 04-29-11, 01:14 AM
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Originally Posted by lnbrown5981
After looking over the RX-8 wiring diagram, I discovered that the easiest way to make the steering wheel radio controls work is through the use of a PAC-SWI-PS Pioneer (I think it works with Sony, and Jensen stereos too) steering wheel interface wired directly to the wheel and an aftermarket radio. I will find out if this works in about a week or so, as I wont have time the rest of this week to work on it.
The Metra AXXESS ASWC would work too. They vitually program themselves and wiring is simple and straightforward. Either way, I'll be watching.
Old 04-29-11, 01:42 AM
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Oh, I'll be following this. What pioneer unit do you have?
Old 04-29-11, 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by kalinakona
oh, i'll be following this. What pioneer unit do you have?
avic-f90bt
Old 05-02-11, 08:17 AM
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Quick update:

Finally got an Rx8 airbag. Bad news, the airbag connectors are completely different (4 wires vs. three). At this point, I am content with just having it for aesthetic purposes until I can figure it out, meanwhile I will just bypass the airbag light and buzzer. More updates to come.
Attached Thumbnails RX-8 Steering wheel.....IT FITS!!!-photo.jpg  
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Old 05-02-11, 08:29 AM
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did you figure out the cruise and radio controls?

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