Steering wheel upgrade - complete.

[Beedub]

Evening peeps.

Ever since fitting my bucket seats , the seating position was massively improved , putting me in a position where your feet extend out with a recline to the seat , perfect absolutely love this feeling and comfort piloting the car. Except for one thing... The wheel even pulled all the way out started to feel like I was reaching for it on a full turns etc.

So..... Fastward to seeing afew aftermarket setups I decided to have crack. I went with the momo mod 07 deep dish in Napa leather , billet quick release which makes THE coolest ding as it locks into place and the NRG hub.

I've always loved the stock setup and I always loved the thickness of the stock wheel ( personally it was one of my fave parts of the car) however I can't believe the additional feel of the car with a thin tactile feeling rim , the slightly smaller diameter wheel 350mm has added some slight additional weight to the rack but made the car feel even more responsive as it's effectively altering the ratio. A quick ride around the block showed the wheel is now right where I want it and the additional feel even from such a short drive is very evident.

I can now snap off the wheel to aid entry to these rather awkward fixed buckets. ACE. Plus .... It just looks sooooo coooool. So pleased.

Here's the item in action for those interested

https://youtube.com/shorts/o867T5uCFH0?feature=share

 

[1536Z4]

It just looks sooooo coooool

It does but would like to know if it affects your car insurance ? or life insurance if you have an accident as no airbag ?

 

[Ed Doe]

It just looks sooooo coooool

It does but would like to know if it affects your car insurance ? or life insurance if you have an accident as no airbag ?

Provided the wheel is declared on the insurance policy and the car has a valid mot certificate, why would it affect insurance validity?

And why on earth would it affect life insurance?! Is there a tick box just below 'hereditary health conditions' titled 'do you have a race wheel fitted to your car'?! :lol:

 

[Beedub]

It just looks sooooo coooool

It does but would like to know if it affects your car insurance ? or life insurance if you have an accident as no airbag ?

life insurance was null and void after having stage 3 cancer :tumbleweed: :tumbleweed: :tumbleweed: :tumbleweed:

 

[1536Z4]

And why on earth would it affect life insurance?

I was just asking the question as I know how insurance companies will use any reason to refuse paying out . So for example they would say that because you removed the airbag you were knowingly putting yourself at greater risk of death . Especially if the cause of death was due to head injury /trauma due to having no airbag .

 

[1536Z4]

Provided the wheel is declared on the insurance policy and the car has a valid mot certificate, why would it affect insurance validity?

I didn`t say anything about validity did I I was thinking more about reducing the amount of insurance companies that will insure you and maybe an increase in price .

Happy New Year to you Ed .

 

[1536Z4]

life insurance was null and void after having stage 3 cancer

Sorry Byron I wasn`t meaning you personally I meant generally . All the best for the New Year

 

[Beedub]

life insurance was null and void after having stage 3 cancer

Sorry Byron I wasn`t meaning you personally I meant generally . All the best for the New Year

Understood brother and I get the concern .

Here's the item in action for those interested

https://youtube.com/shorts/o867T5uCFH0?feature=share

 

[Ed Doe]

Provided the wheel is declared on the insurance policy and the car has a valid mot certificate, why would it affect insurance validity?

I didn`t say anything about validity did I I was thinking more about reducing the amount of insurance companies that will insure you and maybe an increase in price .

Happy New Year to you Ed .

I hope my comment wasn't misinterpreted as being shitty, I was joking!

Happy New year to you too sir

 

[Joycey]

Provided the wheel is declared on the insurance policy and the car has a valid mot certificate, why would it affect insurance validity?

I didn`t say anything about validity did I I was thinking more about reducing the amount of insurance companies that will insure you and maybe an increase in price .

Happy New Year to you Ed .

I hope my comment wasn't misinterpreted as being sh***y, I was joking!

Happy New year to you too sir

Typical Ed coming in like a wreaking ball oke: but you're right this car will no longer be able to get a valid MOT for road use without that airbag being in place on the steering wheel. I've been having similar issues since the rules changed a year or two ago.

I personally like this setup and with that new seating position bet it feels great on the limit on track.

 

[Beedub]

It's an Interesting subject as I spoke to my tester , and he said as long as the airbag lights come on and distinguish they are happy. If the light doesn't come on at all they fail.

He said fitting aftermarket bucket seats often removes airbags and that's one of their main services .

Insurance is informed about every single nut and bolt changed on this car. Bare in mind it's on a riess competition insurance setup.

Either way , I'll update shortly when MOT happens.

 

[Griffo46]

I watched your video before reading this thread, not realising it was your car on YT. I was reading this and the penny dropped! Car looks great and I am envious of your mods, enjoy!

 

[1536Z4]

Understood brother and I get the concern .

Thanks Byron . I have just watched your year round up video . Nicely done

 

[Beedub]

Understood brother and I get the concern .

Thanks Byron . I have just watched your year round up video . Nicely done

thanks very much, REALLY enjoying work so much, i cant tell what its like working in your passion.... utterly greatful. thankyou for taking the time to watch the journey. i love the forum, great place.

 

[Beedub]

I watched your video before reading this thread, not realising it was your car on YT. I was reading this and the penny dropped! Car looks great and I am envious of your mods, enjoy!

thanks very much! shes been a labour of love since 2007! lol

 

[beanie]

Looks great. 8)

I fitted a similar setup to my old golf some years ago and I loved how it moved the wheel closer. For a track car I think it’s a good mod, but having used a steering wheel to slow my head down in a nasty shunt, there’s no way I’d remove an airbag on a road car.

As for the MOT, I thought the changes regarding airbags, seats etc allowed for, or would overlook, road legal vehicles that were competition prepared. I have a feeling that there was also a clause/exemption for track cars as well. My memory is hazy on this and I think it was quite a few years ago that I read about it but it seemed a little vague at the time and somewhat down to discretion, at least regarding track cars.

 

[Beedub]

Looks great. 8)

I fitted a similar setup to my old golf some years ago and I loved how it moved the wheel closer. For a track car I think it’s a good mod, but having used a steering wheel to slow my head down in a nasty shunt, there’s no way I’d remove an airbag on a road car.

As for the MOT, I thought the changes regarding airbags, seats etc allowed for, or would overlook, road legal vehicles that were competition prepared. I have a feeling that there was also a clause/exemption for track cars as well. My memory is hazy on this and I think it was quite a few years ago that I read about it but it seemed a little vague at the time and somewhat down to discretion, at least regarding track cars.

Makes sense ..... MOT tester that's tested my vehicle for 5 years said he had no issue with passing to the setup on my car basically. Maybe down to the overall modification level or maybe he just doesn't care. Lol.

Only thing he said is the light must light up and distinguish therefore indicating any airbags that are in the car ( doors and dash in my case) are operational.

 

[TomK]

The mot rules are fairly clear, but if you have a friendly tester it's not really an issue.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/introduction

13. Extensively modified vehicles

If a vehicle has been extensively modified or converted, certain defects, such as for components ‘missing where fitted as standard’ should not be applied, for example:

a car converted for competition rally use must have the rear seats removed, be fitted with a roll cage and full harness seat belts, may not be fitted with components such as brake servo, power steering or airbags
a car converted to a stretch limousine may no longer be fitted with items such as curtain airbags or a functional electronic stability control system
This exemption does not apply to vehicles with minor modifications. Therefore, a car fitted with rally style seats, body kit and a sports steering wheel would not be exempt from the requirement to have a driver’s airbag if one was fitted as standard equipment.

Insurance is informed about every single nut and bolt changed on this car. Bare in mind it's on a riess competition insurance setup.

I'm with reis too, they told me they have no interest in knowing what mods there are other than anything significantly altering power/weight ratio. :? I just tell them what I think the car is worth

 

[Beedub]

im sure ill be fine.... not even slightly concerned after the convo ive had....

Anyway..... the most important bit about this is the different feel to the car, the additional control from being much closer, the additional feel through the thin rim, and lets be real its the thing we touch of the car the most .... i absolutely love this change. Even better with the wheel snapped off i no longer have to do the limbo to get in and out the car. The interior feels and looks rather special between this and seats.

 

[Vanne]

Hey mate, lovely and very nicely executed.. one thing, being closer to the wheel, and no airbag, the next step would be proper restraints.

Again, nicely done.