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Interesting. Our "other" car's steering wheel subjectively feels smaller than the C5's, but is actually exactly the same outer diameter. But it has a thicker rim - not much but definitely thicker. Probably about who you would get with an aftermarket leather wrap or even a slip-on steering wheel cover. I may try one just for grins.
Depends on a couple of things in terms of steering wheel size.
Rack Ratio, Suspension, vehicle size, interior space
I like to autocross and a stock size wheel is huge. I bet my 03 Silverado 2500 HD has the same size steering wheel but I would never think to put a smaller wheel in a vehicle like that. The steering response is slow, suspension is plush, not built to be nimble and interior space is plenty so a large wheel is not an issue.
Steering effort is slightly increased, but you have power steering so it's not an issue. Losing the air bag is more of a personal thing if you are willing to do it or not. For years cars did not come with them...then again airbags are quite handy in a crash...weigh your DD percentage vs benefits of a smaller wheel.
Originally Posted by Patches
I didn't want to lose the airbag so I had the wheel thickness increased with extra padding and then reskinned with better leather. I like it much better this way. I'm having my C7 wheel redone with CF and leather with a flat bottom - I wanted to retain the airbag in that one as well as it's my dd.
Comparison between stock and thicker version.
Originally Posted by smitty2919
^ but the overall diameter is still the same correct? They look the same.
It would be nice to have an exact replica of a OEM wheel, just 1" smaller diameter that still retains the factory airbag. Wheel hoop is smaller diameter and shorten the spokes to the center section.
After my 9th and 10th surgeries to repair broken body parts from a combined approximate 140mph head-on, I have to tell you I am a big advocate of air bags!
Granted, we'll probably never encounter that again, but...................
Patches - I like your wheel and airbag cover. Is that Apsis?
At one time I understood Redline was looking at a wheel about the same 1" smaller size that smitty mentioned. Anyone hear anything about that lately. Thought they had someone testing this a couple of months ago, but I've not seen anything new on it. That could be the best of both worlds; smaller yet working air bag.
Interested to see, also, what happens with striper's efforts to adopt the C6 wheel. Having the phone and radio controls would be nice to have also.
In my more um stupid days I hit a telephone pole head on in my 92 C4 vert. Air bag went off and I walked away. Today I drive corvettes for their safety as much as the just overall fun to drive daily driver. I would never give up my airbag even though the current steering wheel is a bit on the larger side.
I was not saying I would, or that anyone should switch to a wheel without an airbag. My intent was to reduce the stock wheel ring diameter or get a smaller wheel (with one as well).
I would not endorse that change...
Patches - I like your wheel and airbag cover. Is that Apsis?
My C5 wheel was padded and recovered by Vette Essentials several years ago - I understand they are no longer in business?
Just installed my customized wheel in my C7 this weekend. Again - not willing to forego the airbag. This one is from Carbon Fiber Element and they will build any wheel to your specs. Not sure if they will reduce the diameter but they seem capable of just about any config.
I put a 350mm wheel in my previous C5.
FYI the stock wheel is about 380mm.
Steering effort goes up slightly, and obviously the steering feels a bit quicker.
I liked it a lot; not sure what to do in my current C5Z. I dislike to looks but like the feel of the stock wheel.
I have the idea to investigate exactly what it would take to modify a stock wheel to be 330-350...
Redline Goods has been posting about doing something like this...they currently offer (what I believe) is a stock size wheel that retains the airbad BUT has a flat bottom.
I'd like to keep the airbag, but at a ~1" smaller wheel diameter and in suede
Last edited by smitty2919; 09-24-2018 at 04:12 PM.
09-20-2018, 05:08 PM
