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There's a several resellers of that steering wheel, apparently cores get sent to China and redone, point being there's multiple sellers for it. But I essentially just bought that same wheel from Apsis for I think $800. There are different thickness made too, Autodynamics West in Cali also sells that same wheel. I Love the looks and ergonomics of mine, however the first one I bought was too thick, that's how I learned it's somewhat customizable. Also the first one didn't match the air bag color very well, both were "black" though, but the Apsis wheel matches the stock airbag color so much better that I felt it didn't need to be replaced to match it. You can rent a steering wheel puller and do the swap yourself, don't cut the red airbag wire like people do in the video's, just push in and turn and it comes out
There's a several resellers of that steering wheel, apparently cores get sent to China and redone, point being there's multiple sellers for it. But I essentially just bought that same wheel from Apsis for I think $800. There are different thickness made too, Autodynamics West in Cali also sells that same wheel. I Love the looks and ergonomics of mine, however the first one I bought was too thick, that's how I learned it's somewhat customizable. Also the first one didn't match the air bag color very well, both were "black" though, but the Apsis wheel matches the stock airbag color so much better that I felt it didn't need to be replaced to match it. You can rent a steering wheel puller and do the swap yourself, don't cut the red airbag wire like people do in the video's, just push in and turn and it comes out
The steering is wheel is the part of the car you interact with the most. Of all the things on the car you could upgrade, you're going to look at, touch, feel, and use an upgraded steering wheel more than anything else.
It's a matter of opinion. The C5 wheel does not bother me; ideally it would be more the size and shape of the wheel on my other car, but it's no biggie. I've been using it since 1997 and I have never found it an actual issue. It's more "wouldn't it be nice if" than anything else.
Though I have to say if I ever decided to spring for a C8, I would have to know I could get a proper round wheel for it...
I have an Apsis. Well when I say I have one, its in the top of my tool box for.... reasons.
Looks nice and feels nice, carbon on the high use areas.
Wow! You STILL don't have that installed? I seem to remember you telling us months ago about how you were having major issues trying to pull your old wheel. I feel that the wheel replacement is WELL within my wrenching abilities. However, because of your story, and several others like it, I'm going to take it to my preferred shop. Plus, if I'm honest, messing with the airbag scares me a little even though I know it shouldn't be a problem if done correctly. Thanks for the input though.
It's a matter of opinion. The C5 wheel does not bother me; ideally it would be more the size and shape of the wheel on my other car, but it's no biggie. I've been using it since 1997 and I have never found it an actual issue. It's more "wouldn't it be nice if" than anything else.
Though I have to say if I ever decided to spring for a C8, I would have to know I could get a proper round wheel for it...
I agree that the stock wheel doesn't bother me. However..."wouldn't it be nice" if it was more the size and shape of the wheel on my other car.
I'm all about making this car into exactly what I want it to be. I'm never going to sell it, so the only thing that matters is if it makes me happy. I think that a new steering wheel will make me happy.
Wow! You STILL don't have that installed? I seem to remember you telling us months ago about how you were having major issues trying to pull your old wheel. I feel that the wheel replacement is WELL within my wrenching abilities. However, because of your story, and several others like it, I'm going to take it to my preferred shop. Plus, if I'm honest, messing with the airbag scares me a little even though I know it shouldn't be a problem if done correctly. Thanks for the input though.
I honestly have not tried, been trying to get the paint back into non swirl a hologram shape.
The airbag part is easy, just don't follow the you tube vids that say to cut the horn wire. I would get the puller setup correctly and it nice and tight, put a little torque on it and leave it sit for 20 minutes. Come out and apply a little more torque, wait another 20 and so on until that stupid steel collar pops off the splines.
Carbontastic offers a C5 wheel for 899.00. One of the better looking wheels IMO. You can completely customize the wheel. Center stripe color, stitching color, grip material, and type of carbon fiber, matte or gloss. I’ll go with theirs when I get to that point.
Thanks for all the help. There are certainly a LOT of good choices. I just placed an order with VQcarboncustoms! $900 for a fully custom wheel. I decided to go with flat bottom, round top. It will take 8 weeks for them to make it. I'll certainly post more about it once I receive it.
Thanks for all the help. There are certainly a LOT of good choices. I just placed an order with VQcarboncustoms! $900 for a fully custom wheel. I decided to go with flat bottom, round top. It will take 8 weeks for them to make it. I'll certainly post more about it once I receive it.
Very cool. I've never done business with him, but I've seen him post on some of the Facebook groups and he seems like a good guy.
Sorry I was referring to the one in the link in the first post, I should have quoted his post.
Here is the original ebay link: D-shaped C5 wheel
First one listed at the top here is what I got and reused my airbag Apsis C5 Wheels
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Originally Posted by YLO Z06
I know OP said he wasn't interested in a C6 wheel with redundant buttons, but just wanted to post up my C6 wheel w/ functional airbag as a comparison. I am very happy with this upgrade.
I'm curious as I really like the C6 wheel much better than the C5 wheel which is too big and dated looking IMO. What did it take to get the airbag to work, is it plug and play or did you need to get an adapter or splice wires? EDIT: nevermind, found your writeup here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...in-c5-z06.html
Was thinking I could buy a Chevy Cobalt steering wheel for cheap on ebay (they go for around $70) and then have that modified with carbon fiber as it's the same wheel as the C6.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Apr 2, 2021 at 12:34 PM.
I was going to buy a Wheel from VQ aswell, but what turned me off was he claimed they are all USA made.. which is not the case at all. Once I called him out on it, he got very rude with me. I was simply telling him he cant advertise a US made product if it isn't true.