Anyone gone back to the original steering wheel, from an aftermarket sport wheel?

Markus33 · 06-23-2013, 08:25 PM

Just curious. I went from a stock SC 380mm sport steering wheel for 3 years (earlier wheels were 400mm) to the 930s 360mm wheel for 6 years and then back again to a factory original for 6 years and counting. The 930s wheel looked more sporty and is thicker, yes. It has a smaller diameter, it is lighter w/ quicker steering response. But just for experimentation I went back to the factory wheel. The original wheel is thinner yet heavier. The diameter is bigger (+20MM) which equals more leverage for the non-power steering assist. The leather itself feels thicker than the 930s. The original facilitates finger-tip steering, usually. Sublime. I now think Porsche engineers had it right. It was good enough for most 934 drivers, I think, though they removed the big horn pad in favor of a smaller button (where to find?). I'm probably an outlier with this opinion but interested in others' thoughts...

Markus
'80 SC Targa

wes_r · 06-23-2013, 08:38 PM

I have a Momo Competition on my '87. Briefly considered going back to stock but love the thicker, sportier grip diameter of the Momo wheel.

I personally find the smaller Momo wheel easier for drivability - except for the speedo being partially obscured!

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

does that include the 911R wheel?

Markus33 · 06-23-2013, 08:55 PM

Yeah the speedo was obscured beyond 60mph w/ 930s too. The speedo can be rotated though. Something about touching, channeling originality with the factory wheel, at least for me. The big horn pad on the stock wheel is fugly so I still wonder how I can install a little horn button and get rid of the pad. If you search "934 steering wheel" you'll know what I mean...

Markus
'80SC Targa

Markus33 · 09:37 PM

does that include the 911R wheel? - R Webb

Well now you're getting into the stratosphere

. Is the 911R wheel equivalent to the 914-6 380mm wheel? I think the period alternative for the '67 R era was the Momo Prototipo. So how would you compare a 914-6 factory wheel to a Prototipo in terms of feel and functionality? All in fun. I guess we're comparing German originality, feel and connection to factory craftsmanship with aftermarket Italian style, elegance, etc. Thoughts?

Markus
'80SC Targa

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I have a small collection of steering wheels and shift knobs and change them every few years. I was going to sell the ones I didn't like, but never have.

Markus33 · 09:44 PM

RWebb, if you were to not look at the wheel and just based on the feel what do you prefer from your collection? Mounted to the column and driving, of course... Just curious.

Markus
'80SC Targa

Ronnie's.930 · 10:04 PM

Markus, regarding your question for RWebb - I actually prefer the feel of a wood steering wheel, like the Momo Super Indy which I had on a 914 of mine, to all others (plastic, vinyl, leather, suede/alcantra). I even put a wood wheel in my 1990 Ford E350 box truck for this very reason. Buuuuuut I am far too vain to have a wood wheel in my 930 as I think it looks out of place, so I use a Momo Mod 07 (I think the 80s era 911 steering wheels to be hideous beyond excuse). I like the looks of this wheel, and the feel is "okay", but to me, does not compare to the feel of a wood wheel . . .

GeorgeK · 06-23-2013, 10:08 PM

In 20 years' time, value will be in originality. Whatever you do, don't sell the original.

Markus33 · 06-23-2013, 10:41 PM

Ronnie.930...

Interesting thoughts about the wooden wheel. I had a wooden Nardi steering wheel mounted on a vintage BMW 2002 back in the day. One of the most beautiful things to behold. Ultimate(?) craftsmanship. But, accompanying driving gloves seems to be a requirement

, with wood.

GeorgeK...

Yes, agreed that originality will, eventually, trump all others. Gotta save the connection. Something about the thin feel of the original gets me so I "put up" with the fugly looking horn pad in deference to the sublime connection of the thick leather, thin diameter feel of the 380mm original wheel...

Markus
'80SC Targa

Ronnie's.930 · 06-23-2013, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

In 20 years' time, value will be in originality. Whatever you do, don't sell the original.

I don't think that the absence of an original steering wheel would keep anyone from buying a car they wanted. After all, factory 911 steering wheels are all over eBay and the like . . .

GeorgeK · 06-23-2013, 11:08 PM

When an original wheel will be 1K+, I will be happy to have kept mine. Try and find an original 356 wheel in good condition.

porschenut · 06-24-2013, 05:17 AM

I briefly had a Momo Monte Carlo in a previous Carrera I had. After a while I went back to the original 4-spoke wheel and it just felt better. It feels right. The leather is higher quality than any aftermarket wheel I've seen, and it feels really good in your hands. 380mm is the perfect size. Forget what it looks like and just revel in the fact that you're gripping genuine vintage Porsche goodness.

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

I know this is a little off topic, but I had a momo for years, then went to a luisi and just made the jump to a prototipo on looks alone which was a mistake. I can't stand the feel of the proto, too thin and too hard. Oh well, looks great and I can pretty much read all my gauges now.

911SauCy · 911SauCy's Garage

Going from the Orig 78 wheel in my SC to multiple MoMo configurations, I will never go back to stock. I kept the wheel...will never be reinstalled.

Weird grip, knuckles hit the dash when turning, blocked the speedo, blinkers and tach, something fierce from my seating position.

Ronnie's.930 · 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porschenut

I briefly had a Momo Monte Carlo in a previous Carrera I had. After a while I went back to the original 4-spoke wheel and it just felt better. It feels right. The leather is higher quality than any aftermarket wheel I've seen, and it feels really good in your hands. 380mm is the perfect size. Forget what it looks like and just revel in the fact that you're gripping genuine vintage Porsche goodness.

Really, you call that station wagon thing "Porsche goodness"?

GeorgeK · 06-24-2013, 07:22 AM

I call mine vintage goodness.

Arne2 · Arne2's Garage

To each their own. I couldn't stand the chunky-looking three-spoke in my '84, but I don't care for small diameter wheels. So I bought a 370mm Abarth rather than the ubiquitous Prototipo. I love the look and feel of it. With the addition of a JWest eccentric spacer, I can see the gauges at least as well as stock, maybe better.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markus33

RWebb, if you were to not look at the wheel and just based on the feel what do you prefer from your collection? Mounted to the column and driving, of course... Just curious.

Markus
'80SC Targa

I can't decide - BTW I have a "real" 930S; a Momo (not the nicer ones with holes, but still feels fine - looks a bit like Arne's) and some stock wheels to be .. ah.. conveRted.

I DO prefer the feel of leather over wood; see Yet Another Boring Hot Rod Rgruppe Car - Part VI, Interior Cabin & Controls

The real problem with wood is that it is unsafe - you might wind up with a chest and face full of splinters.

Really, I think you just have to try a few and buy a subset for long-term trials. You will then sell off the ones you didn't like in the long-term (or end up with a collection).

Wood is the prettiest tho...

wrxnofx · wrxnofx's Garage

I need the smaller diameter of a MOMO wheel over stock. I am 6'6" and the smaller diameter wheel helps me put my legs closer together under the wheel so I can actually shift. I drove an '81 one time and could barely do the 1-2 shift since my knee was in the way. On my '87, even with the smaller diameter wheel I still have to engage reverse by moving my right leg over.