Alternative steering wheel options for GC8 (with air bag)

[maxn]

Gidday

 

I'm seeking inspiration for alternative steering wheels for GC8 WRXs that have airbags? Which ones from later WRXs bolt straight in?

 

My GC8 has this steering wheel. It's deteriorating and (to my eyes) doesn't suit the WRX. Seems like more of a Legacy / Forester wheel:

 

 

Cheers

[boon]

Pretty much anything GD fits the spline as far as I know; the ultimate in rare and glorious being a V10 Spec C wheel (or there may even be a factory alcantara one that came on some S204's but is so rare as to basically not exist).

 

Getting the clock spring and airbag to work correctly is another matter altogether. Anything later than V8 uses a clever multi-stage airbag that will throw an SRS fault, and probably not go off if you stack the car. I believe the only way to make it all work nicely with a late-model wheel is to get a V8 inflator and clockspring then fit them to a later model wheel.

 

The americans do all sorts of swaps, check out NASIOC and that other big US subaru forum that the name escapes me....

[Joker]

Ultimate Subaru Message Board?

[Loren]

Toss that one in the too hard basket and find something else to obsess over.

[maxn]

Thanks for the tip, boon. Looks like an -04 or earlier three spoke STI wheel works. I'm going to keep an eye out for one.

 

http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/cosmetic/48071-gd-steering-wheel-into-gc8.html

 

[Loren]

There is absolutely nothing reliable in that thread in regards to the airbag functionality. So it is still going to be a coin toss if it actually goes off in a collision. 

[Gripless]

It’s worse than that. 
speed and size shape of the bag if wrong will snap your neck. 
 The millisecond timing and impact threshold is built in to the controller to match the airbag and explosive, newer bags can inflate at a different speed. 
 

there are places that will restore them really well. Most are home based businesses so can be hard to find. 
 

[maxn]

Fair comments. The guy in the thread I quoted didn't crash-test it. I'll stick with what I've got and look to get it refurbed in the mid-term.

[Travis]

Bro if you still have that original wheel I will happily buy it from you... 

[Subru]

On 22/07/2020 at 9:19 AM, boon said:

Pretty much anything GD fits the spline as far as I know; the ultimate in rare and glorious being a V10 Spec C wheel (or there may even be a factory alcantara one that came on some S204's but is so rare as to basically not exist).

 

Getting the clock spring and airbag to work correctly is another matter altogether. Anything later than V8 uses a clever multi-stage airbag that will throw an SRS fault, and probably not go off if you stack the car. I believe the only way to make it all work nicely with a late-model wheel is to get a V8 inflator and clockspring then fit them to a later model wheel.

 

The americans do all sorts of swaps, check out NASIOC and that other big US subaru forum that the name escapes me....

Pulling up an old thread as I'm in need of a new wheel.

Am I correct in saying a v8 sti wheel will fit my v7 sti with no issues but a v9+ may have airbag issues? 

I'm considering re covering my original in alcantara or getting a v8 wheel and recovering that in alcantara.  The v7 wheels look clunky. Or how about a bl or bp legacy wheel? They look nice if there's no buttons.

[boon]

The V7 wheel is super clunky. I never really worked out the exact answer to this. I think the easiest way is to get a V8 wheel with clockspring and inflator. I still intend to do this to mine.

[Niran]

Interesting read.. I will also be be planing to swap out the airbagged momo wheel for a momo protipo wheel and boss in my V6 type R. Hope it fits!