corvettedave383

Ive got a 78 c3, can you buy a smaller steering wheel? say a 13 or 12 inch?

thanks for any help

427Hotrod

Here's what I did in my C2...similar....

JIM

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-wheel-c2.html

Richard454

I went w/ period correct look- also wanted a wheel that was not quite as big in diameter- and has less of a dish so it's a little less too close....

A little more than $20 I was able to fit it. There are several companies w/ hubs to adapt- but most were well over a $100- and made the wheel look like an add-on.

Here's what I did-

MOMO steering wheels are 6 bolt 70mm PCD(pitch circle diameter) the Corvette is 2 3/4"- which is VERY close to 70mm.

The Nardi is 74mm- so I bought a billet adapter Nardi to MOMO. It worked great!!!

SO- if you don't have tilt/tele (haven't had a chance to research that yet) a MOMO 70mm PCD 6 bolt - will bolt right on- but might have to do a little mod on the horn. Making a simple spacer you keep you from having to mod the hub.

I did mill down my hub- as it has the notch in it-about 1/8" for a third of the wheel.






Countersunk the steering wheel-







The horn took some work...I milled into the billet adapter to flush the horn insert. I thought it would be a great idea to just move it where it would have been easier-BUT realized the the button is located by the mount.

When you bolt down the wheel is presses it in place-








Here's the finished product- the button almost covers the screws..still going to work on finding a tele button- as it's just a bit bigger. I will also have to shave some off the bottom of the horn button- as the new steering wheel is thicker.





Oh- the other thing- is the "dish" of the wheel makes a difference of how close it is to you-

ddawson

Most of the vendors sell a smaller wheel. Here is mine.

corvettedave383

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, trying find the easiest route

which venders sell smaller wheels that bolt right on??

maybe might need a quick release steering wheel, for ease of getting in and out with full rollcage, anyone done a quick release version?

corvettedave383

Update - a company called NRG Innovations, do a boss that fits onto vette colunm and then a there quick release fits to that, so going with this plan

427Hotrod

I looked into that...but it all added up to being pretty thick...even the thinner version. And you need the one with the horn wiring if you want it.

I wanted to get the wheel out so I could stretch my arms out some.

Got any pics?

JIM

d555

I have the NRG 1" quick release mounted to a Flaming River tilt/tele.
Corvettes are tiny...I'm not! I also use there 12" wheel. Mine came with 2 buttons. I use one for Nitrous purge and then replaced the other with a much better adj. trans brake button as the one that came with it was really slow.
The steering wheel I bought said it was for a Lexus? but pretty much universal 6 hole with momo spacing. They have a pretty good selection as far as style, dish, size. Came with the horn cap. I don't have horns as they went with the diet plan. It's worked well for the last 10years or so.
...really makes getting in and out much easier. Plus works good as a security feature too!LOL just take it with you!

Dave,

corvettedave383

its ordered up, so will do some pics in next few weeks

corvettedave383

thats the one, looks good, plus with my rollcage, really tiny lol

mrvette

'78, I assume the OP has a TT column and stock wheel.....

I have a late shark TT column in my '72, and the flange is spaced back 3/4 inch off the firewall..wood block.....I am 6'5" and 225 lbs.....my knees/legs on the wheel pretty snug....some 17 years ago I cut the floorboard/firewall all the way across and up to the steering column height, pried the wall forward 3" and glassed it all in.....

heated/bent the gas pedal lever so it's closer to the new firewall position, and same with brake pedal...cut and a buddy welded it....

totally dropped my knees off the wheel, lowered the seat in back too so it rides like my lounge chair now.....snore.......