Aftermarket Steering Columns
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2024
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Aftermarket Steering Columns for Early Car and Drag and Drive Application
Hello All,
I know, I know, I can fix my stock one, but should I choose not to, has anyone installed an aftermarket steering column into your C4? If so, what did you use? I know you can go with simple racing style, but what about one of Speedway's "GM" Tilt Columns?
Thanks,
Paul
I know, I know, I can fix my stock one, but should I choose not to, has anyone installed an aftermarket steering column into your C4? If so, what did you use? I know you can go with simple racing style, but what about one of Speedway's "GM" Tilt Columns?
Thanks,
Paul
Last edited by marshallnoise; Mar 25, 2026 at 12:44 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 157
Likes: 175
From: Louisville, Kentucky
The Speedway columns (or an equivalent Chinese Ebay Column) will fit but there's fabrication involved in getting them mounted..
But those columns are based on the late 1960s to mid 1970s pre-metric models because the patents have expired on those. The ignition cylinder doesn't fit, so you'll have to bypass VATS.
The wiring harness will plug in and give you flashers and turn signals and horn, but you won't get anything else on the column like wipers and cruise or high beams. You'll have to wire those things to separate switch gear.
No airbags.
The OEM steering wheel won't bolt on.
The steering column is a nightmare on these things. Fix your OEM column if you can, because going aftermarket is a minefield unless you're building a race car and are just going to ditch all the accoutrements.
But those columns are based on the late 1960s to mid 1970s pre-metric models because the patents have expired on those. The ignition cylinder doesn't fit, so you'll have to bypass VATS.
The wiring harness will plug in and give you flashers and turn signals and horn, but you won't get anything else on the column like wipers and cruise or high beams. You'll have to wire those things to separate switch gear.
No airbags.
The OEM steering wheel won't bolt on.
The steering column is a nightmare on these things. Fix your OEM column if you can, because going aftermarket is a minefield unless you're building a race car and are just going to ditch all the accoutrements.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 526
Likes: 114
The Speedway columns (or an equivalent Chinese Ebay Column) will fit but there's fabrication involved in getting them mounted..
But those columns are based on the late 1960s to mid 1970s pre-metric models because the patents have expired on those. The ignition cylinder doesn't fit, so you'll have to bypass VATS.
The wiring harness will plug in and give you flashers and turn signals and horn, but you won't get anything else on the column like wipers and cruise or high beams. You'll have to wire those things to separate switch gear.
No airbags.
The OEM steering wheel won't bolt on.
The steering column is a nightmare on these things. Fix your OEM column if you can, because going aftermarket is a minefield unless you're building a race car and are just going to ditch all the accoutrements.
But those columns are based on the late 1960s to mid 1970s pre-metric models because the patents have expired on those. The ignition cylinder doesn't fit, so you'll have to bypass VATS.
The wiring harness will plug in and give you flashers and turn signals and horn, but you won't get anything else on the column like wipers and cruise or high beams. You'll have to wire those things to separate switch gear.
No airbags.
The OEM steering wheel won't bolt on.
The steering column is a nightmare on these things. Fix your OEM column if you can, because going aftermarket is a minefield unless you're building a race car and are just going to ditch all the accoutrements.
So for someone like me, it looks like an actual viable option! Again, thanks @turbo6inky !
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I doubt an actual 'viable' option but doable. I believe that you could more easily correct a column that has issues and would be car correct. Does your NRG hub function with the 'telescoping' feature of your current column?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2024
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No, telescoping is locked out. But it's not hard to adjust it if I need to. I think its a couple allen bolts and then it functions fine.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 157
Likes: 175
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Here's an Ebay knockoff Saginaw column in my '92:
NRG hub and wheel. I moved the wipers and high beams to kick panel switches and ditched cruise. Also going to be a race car with a Haltech so VATS was going away anyhow. I cut the under dash bracket off a stock column and welded it to this one, and I got a universal firewall mount kit to hold the lower end. It's the same length as the stocker so it slotted right into the steering shaft in the engine bay.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2024
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I blew over $1800 on supposedly "good" used columns. They were all trashed. They were all worn so bad not even the large tilt pins would fix them. Too many fat guys bought these cars and they were too hard to get out of for them.
Here's an Ebay knockoff Saginaw column in my '92:
NRG hub and wheel. I moved the wipers and high beams to kick panel switches and ditched cruise. Also going to be a race car with a Haltech so VATS was going away anyhow. I cut the under dash bracket off a stock column and welded it to this one, and I got a universal firewall mount kit to hold the lower end. It's the same length as the stocker so it slotted right into the steering shaft in the engine bay.
Here's an Ebay knockoff Saginaw column in my '92:
NRG hub and wheel. I moved the wipers and high beams to kick panel switches and ditched cruise. Also going to be a race car with a Haltech so VATS was going away anyhow. I cut the under dash bracket off a stock column and welded it to this one, and I got a universal firewall mount kit to hold the lower end. It's the same length as the stocker so it slotted right into the steering shaft in the engine bay.
Yep, we are doing the same thing but you are farther alone.
How long was the column you bought? 33"?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2024
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Just realized the other "feature" for me is since I am going keyless, I am pretty sure it does not have a column lock feature. That way I won't have to worry about accidentally locking the column while rolling down the road in an emergency situation.
@turbo6inky, if I went with 33" instead of 32" do you think it is going to extend out further towards the driver that extra inch? I am as far back in this car as I can just to fit so wondering if it would be helpful. I guess the better question to ask is the steering wheel in the same position it was before?
@turbo6inky, if I went with 33" instead of 32" do you think it is going to extend out further towards the driver that extra inch? I am as far back in this car as I can just to fit so wondering if it would be helpful. I guess the better question to ask is the steering wheel in the same position it was before?