gridlock61

I just ordered a DCT Motorsports T96 steering wheel for my '95 993 Cab. The stock wheel interferes with my legs, and is just too large for my liking. I now need to get a 996 airbag for it, and noticed a couple for sale on ebay. I also called the local Porsche dealer to see what a new one costs, but there were quite a few model numbers to choose from (they normally sell replacements and go by the VIN of the car it's going in to).

So the question is, can I get ANY 996 airbag (assuming the correct color of course), or is there any advantage for going with, say, a later model 996 unit. Also, there is the option of leather vs. vinyl; what comes in 993's? I looked at mine, and it doesn't appear to be leather.

Thanks

ilko

Umm, the stock 993 and the stock 3-spoke 996/boxster wheel are the same diameter. I'm afraid the new wheel won't help in the legs department.

But yes, all airbags are the same. Of course some are leather, those are better

gridlock61

Thanks. The wheel I'm getting is the DCT T96, which is a bit smaller than stock, and has a flat bottom. It is a 3 spoke design, which uses a 996 type air bag. This should help quite a bit in the leg dept. Also looking forward to the thicker rim.

By the way, do you know if the stock 993 steering wheel rim/airbag is leather or vinyl?

ilko

The wheel itself is leather, the airbag cover is generally vinyl. Leather airbag covers have stitching around the crest.

911PERVY

993 & 996 standard wheels are all leather, standard air bags are vinyl. The all leather 3 spoke air bag is actually cheaper than the vinyl version!

kjr914

A nice photo comparison of the DCT Motorsports T96 and stock 996 steering wheel:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic...eel-installed/

gridlock61

Ah, yes, I've seen those.

Really? Do you mean from the Porsche dealer, or used from say, ebay?

gridlock61

Great comparison shots; thanks for the link!

mgerber

Here is my install. I picked up a leather covered airbag for $325 on ebay. The DCT wheel does not come with the airbag carrier so you will need that as well. If you don't already have a 3 spoke you can ask Ivan at DCT to sell you the carrier or get it new from Porsche.

gridlock61

Wow, that seems like a great price on the airbag. I've looked around quite a bit, on ebay and all over the internet, and have not found anything near that price. In fact, I can hardly find any 3-spoke airbags at all (there are a few with the steering wheel for a lot of $).

How long did you have to wait for finding the airbag for that price on ebay?

nine9six

The air bag in this photo looks alot like vinyl to me...I thought the leather airbags had stitching on the face of the air bag cover? Maybe this is an old photo?...Or I am mistaken?

Isn't this a leather airbag to the right?

stace

That is also my understanding. Leather airbag has the obvious stitching.

mgerber

I am by no means an expert with these airbags. This was an early 3 spoke airbag. The seller was a porsche dismantler on the west coast and had pictures of the car, including the interior which was clearly full leather. The same seller had a couple of other 3 spoke airbags which were being sold as vinyl covers. I also had a vinyl cover from a friend that I compared this airbag to, and the finish is very different. I think the car was an '00 or '99.
I looked for about a week and had several to choose from.

The cover on the bag looks, feels and is finished (especially the edging and adhesive) like leather yet it does not have the stitching that you see in the pictures.

I did price the airbag new from various dealers. You can buy a new leather one for less than $1K. The new vinyl one will cost about $1400, so it makes more sense to buy the new leather one. All the replacement leather airbags come with the stitching.

Two possibilities: The early leather airbags don't have the stitching finish or I am thinking what I have is leather and it is not. Either way I am happy as the bag was a good deal. I offered significantly less than the asking price and the seller accepted after a bit of haggling.

Matt

911PERVY

That is a vinyl air bag Im afraid, 100% cow free

911PERVY

"This is not a modified oem wheel, rather a purpose built aftermarket steering wheel."

Really? I think even Ivan would disagree!