Thork'sGT3

Wondering if anyone has changed out their GT3 airbag steering wheel for a GT3 Cup wheel? If so, what is involved with the change? Mounting etc as well as can you still have the other airbags functional without an airbag steering wheel?

Thanks
BT

gstahl

I have changed a 997.2 GT3 wheel for an OMP wheel. This involves both the wheel and a quick release and removes the factory air bag. I would suggest this for a track only car as there are likely some issues with insurance and removal of the airbag (likely your policy has a discount for passive restraint, if you remove or disable them you have likely misrepresented the vehicle to the insurance carrier). All that said...

- The feel of the wheel is better (there are numerous choices to get a wheel you like)
- Note the feel of a cup cap steering is still very different than a GT3 so the wheel will only get you so far.
- The wheel cost is minor compared to OEM
- The OEM does not get wear and tear from track driving
- You can mount data/radio switches in the wheel
- It is removable making ingress and egress easier especially in a emergency.

BR Racing in Los Gatos California did the work (they are on the board) and can likely give you pointers.

Thork'sGT3

Thanks Geoff for the feedback. You may have a good point regarding the insurance. I have a great relationship with them however when push comes to shove the almighty dollar trumps. A proper steering wheel is a personal thing and I have always been a fan of the direct feel of a simple race wheel. Besides, even my wife thinks the GT3 stock wheel is a bit hurting in the looks department. I will check with BR Racing to see what they suggest.
Thanks again.

Brent

ShootingStar

The member tcsracing1 has also done this mode to his 7.1RS. Might want to PM him about it as well.

tcsracing1

I have been sportin' the OMP Cup wheel since 2009 in my RS.
It is a great upgrade for a car that does a lot of track. It looks, feels and works like it should.

I have had no airbag warning lights and all my other air bags still function as designed.
Dealers have not said anything nor have insurance companies.
(i still have my stock wheel if i ever decide to retire the car from track duty)

The wheel is much smaller and great for on the track. Maintaining two hands on the wheel in tight turns or direction changes is much easier with this wheel.

In order to maintain horn function you will need to use an aftermarket hub and quick release.
Most have used the the Works Bell Rapfix II hub and the NRG quick release.
(This is what im currently using as in the past i did not have a quick release.)
The Cup quick disconnect will not allow you to maintain a horn function. This is why you must go aftermarket.

i believe the budget installed would be approx $1000.00. I cant really recall. It was worth it however

P.J.S.

Works bell hub
NRG quick release here
Horn function important to me

You can get horn function with others but it usually entails a coiled phone type of cord around the column

Or you can run the horn button to an unused switch in the car - like my pasm switch... Or any blank switch

I have done both and believe the works bell hub and NRG to be very easy - parts are relatively inexpensive and a piwis computer can shut off air bag lights if needed

Thork'sGT3

Great information. Quick release is not important to me so maybe that will simplify things a bit. I already have a MOMO Corse wheel from the the old car, however the leather in 9 & 3 is getting very polished and slippery.
The parts needed are:
Works Bell Rapfix II
Centre Horn button or other button on steering wheel
Cup wheel
Does the cup wheel's smaller diameter interfere more with seeing the gauges?
Are there more pictures out there for a fellow to see?

Thanks for the replies

Brent

P.J.S.

350mm wheel did not interfere for me
330mm wheel did
Depends on your height etc

Thork'sGT3

I am a rather large fello at 6'2" and 250 lbs, so the larger wheel would be better suited. Is there a distributor that you folks would recommend?

Brent

P.J.S.

I have purchased all my steering wheels at www.speedwaremotorsports.com but lots of shops carry them

P.J.S.

I will just add that the quick release is nice to have especially if you are a bigger guy (as am I)

tcsracing1

here are some more pics i have on file:

tcsracing1

I went 3 years without a quick release using just a Momo hub.
It was fine. But i always wanted a quick release so i sprung for the Works Bell hub and NRG quick release just recently.

I purchased my hub and release from Speedware.

I already had the wheel from FVD.

Thork'sGT3

Both of you are starting to make me think a quick release may be the way to go. Though I plan to do the "Hands Together for a Cure" cancer research fund raiser again in 2013, I am also planning to head south for a couple of track weekends, so my GT3 does not do a lot of track days. With this said however it would make changing out the race seat with the factory seat a lot easier as the wheel can be removed.
TCS, what do you use the two buttons for?
What diameter is your wheel?

Once again, great info
Brent

tcsracing1

my diameter is the exact same as Cup specs. Not too sure exactly but i desired the same playing field as a cup car.

the two buttons are horn.