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Steering wheel modification

14K views 55 replies 17 participants last post by  DrPyro2k 
#1 ·
Hiya, anybody consider or have done any mods to the steering wheel? I'm thinking of removal of the top section so the dash could be seen. I would not do this to my wheel, but would like to get a cheap used one from a wrecker and hack that section off and see how it goes. If it works, then get it recovered. I've done the seat adjustment and I tilt the seat as far as it will go, still can't see what gear or top of tach.:frown2:
 
#3 ·
Im currently working on a beautiful steering wheel complete replacement, no stuck on carbon fiber with 3m tape this wheel will be beautiful ......i will be selling them ,once you receive the wheel you will send me yours as core to avoid charge ......wheel will be customizeable including leather or alcantara , 12 oclock position stripe etc .....so i promise you its worth the wait

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
#4 ·
Please let us know when this is available!



Im currently working on a beautiful steering wheel complete replacement, no stuck on carbon fiber with 3m tape this wheel will be beautiful ......i will be selling them ,once you receive the wheel you will send me yours as core to avoid charge ......wheel will be customizeable including leather or alcantara , 12 oclock position stripe etc .....so i promise you its worth the wait

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
#12 ·
In case of that we will also offer a paddle shift upgrade for the OEM-steering wheel very soon. Our part is to optimize performance and actually a motorsport part. Just for a style upgrade you can do it your way. This is always a personal decision. I for my part does not like the the look and feel of the original steering wheel at all. On top of this the original shifters are not working very accurate… We will offer both options but choosed to start with the complete steering wheel package. It fits to our complete seating system that is already on sale from today:

https://www.laptime.biz/index.php/shop/product/view/1/13

That might explain why we did that first.

best regards

Alex
 
#15 ·
Wow, I think you guys have taken my thread a little off target. Those are great looking mods, but they don't address the issue of seeing the gauges, etc., that I'm concerned about. (and way out of my $$ league.)

If anybody has tried the cut wheel I'd like to hear your opinion. Thanx
 
#24 ·
Taking the wheel off was actually pretty easy. I followed the directions on this thread (look at post #25):

https://www.4c-forums.com/504258-post25.html#/topics/20850?page=3

First time I’ve ever taken a wheel off, the hardest thing was getting the feel for releasing the airbag. After that was off it was simple to disconnect the few connections and take off the one large hex. I left the leads off the battery for at least 30 minutes and pulled the airbag fuse just to feel safe.
 
#29 ·
Guardian designs who did my Abarth wheel is now making 4c wheels. I guess they have a “swap” program where they make your wheel, ship it to you and you ship your old wheel back. Eliminates down time.
There work is OUTSTANDING. I’m seriously considering it since the wheel they made for my Abarth was the favourite part of the car.
 
#32 ·
#47 ·
Sorry,

I was very busy the last couple of days and had no chance to look into the forum. Sure you can get the steering wheel as an export shipped to wherever you are without the german VAT. The wheel is also in our shop:

https://www.laptime.biz/index.php/shop/product/view/1/14

I will try to change the product and add an export option for not EU countries without VAT. Until then we will change the invoice manually. You can also contact me directly under info@laptime.biz

best regards

Alex
 
#33 ·
Some new info from guardian designs.
FYI I had one on my Abarth 124 and they are just wicked quality.
For anyone that’s interested:

Hi Tom
We have been crafting wheels for many models for close to 5 years now and have hundreds of happy customers enjoying their sports and performance cars with our upgraded OEM+ steering wheels. We have a *lot* of photos of steering wheels we have crafted in many customer designs shown on our Instagram: www.instagram.com/guardiandesigns.shop

Check out another GD OEM+ Alfa Romeo wheel we recently crafted - for the Giulia sedan! We did this as complex as you can imagine to “show off” the level of detail we are happy working with. We are comfortable even working with heated steering wheels, to give you more idea of how good we are at this and how long we have been doing it. ? I am also attaching our GD OEM+ MINI steering wheel since this is a good example of a wheel that from factory had the same “split rim” design like the 4C has (and the Giulia has) but we eliminated this for a MUCH smoother and cleaner appearance and driving feel.

1. Location.
We are located in Europe! Specifically, our shop where we craft all our beautiful steering wheels and shift boots is in Poland. And we are also based in Canada, since that is where I am. ?

2. Pricing.
Regular pricing for our Alfa 4C “Classico" wheel in Black Nappa leather will be $449 USD (+ refundable core deposit of $949 USD). Alcantara and accent color leather/Alcantara will be $50 USD optional extras.

3. Design.
Our “Classico" model for the Alfa 4C means we strip down the (weird) factory wheel and correct the odd features that we talked about such as the rim profile changing at the bottom. And it will address the issues you cited

MATERIALS: Like all our GD wheels our Alfa 4C wheel will be re-trimmed in automotive-grade Nappa leather - either Perforated or Smooth leather or, of course, in genuine Alcantara. And we are happy to combine Perforated and Smooth leather (a typical design choice on many of our wheels is to use Perforated leather at the sides and Smooth at the top/bottom sections) and, of course, Alcantara.
STITCHWORK: We take pride in our work including clean and carefully done stitchwork since all our wheels are prepared in our own shop by Michal, our highly skilled and experienced leather craftsperson. We also have 3 stitch patterns to choose from.
THUMB RESTS: The stock 4C wheel has some really big thumb rests… for customers who find these excessive we can tone down the size of the thumb rests to be more subtle (and thus more comfortable), which we agree are excessive for most people on the stock wheel.


4. Core Deposit of $949 = "zero driving downtime".
The $949 “Core Deposit” (set to reflect cost of an Alfa 4C wheel and they are not cheap or easy to come by, even used!) is fully refundable when you return your old wheel to us. To explain what we mean by “zero driving downtime": First, we send you your new GD OEM+ Alfa 4C wheel crafted to your design choices and ready to install (and it is of course based on a factory Alfa wheel so installation is “plug and play”). And then when you have installed it you will send your old 4C wheel back to our shop (in the same packaging material you got your new GD OEM+ Alfa 4C wheel). When we receive your old wheel at the shop we refund in full your $949 Core Deposit. The idea is that then your old wheel will be ready for the next Alfa 4C client… who will send their old wheel in… and so on… ?
 
#38 ·
I don't mean to imply anything negative if that is the situation, just seemed like a pretty big coincidence if not. The work looks great in the gallery you linked to. My only concern would be if there was an unnecessary middle-man markup, but I haven't seen pricing. I should look into an alcantara wheel for my 124 Abarth...
 
#41 · (Edited)
I think the fact that Guardian and Redline are both in Poland is just a coincidence, no relationship that I'm aware of as a customer of both companies.

Like TreeTop, I have a Guardian wheel on another car (supercharged 2010 Miata) and the quality of their work is outstanding. I contacted Angelos about an upgraded 4C wheel before I even took delivery of my car but I've found that I don't really mind the factory wheel in person as much as I did in pics. I also want the ability to return the car to bone stock so that means I'd have to buy an additional wheel and I don't think it's worth the spend to me. But I would highly recommend their work, it really is top quality with loads of customization options.
 
#42 ·
I think the fact that Guardian and Redline are both in Poland is just a coincidence, no relationship that I'm aware of as a customer of both companies.

Like TreeTop, I have a Guardian wheel on another car (supercharged 2010 Miata) and the quality of their work is outstanding. I contacted Angelos about an upgraded 4C wheel before I even took delivery of my 4C but I've found that I don't really mind the factory wheel in person as much as I did in pics. I also want the ability to return the car to bone stock so that means I'd have to buy an additional wheel and I don't think it's worth the spend to me. But I would highly recommend their work, it really is top quality with loads of customization options.
If the wheel is done properly it will only enhance the sale , obviously not removing air bags etc

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
#53 ·
Anyone else having problems with the links provided? I've tried all the links from Alex, DrPyro2K, even the Instagram link to Guardian Designs from Treetopflyer.

The only link that works for me is the Laptime link for product page 13, which is for the seats & harness (which BTW looks awesome!). Any ideas?
 
#54 ·
@Jomiddle63 - Please contact Alex (@4CRacer) directly using his email at info@laptime.biz He may have decided to sell it via another website, due to VAT and other import duty issues, I'm not sure. So just email him as he is a very helpful person and should respond fairly quickly. I will say this, his product isn't the cheapest, BUT it is VERY VERY robust and high quality. I haven't had ANY issue with it over the past few years on track, and I'm glad I made the upgrade.
 
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#55 ·
I am very pleased to hear that our product kept our customers satisfied. Probably poor and satisfied at the same time but hey that’s still better than poor and unsatisfied 😉😂

Like I once wrote the low output compared with relatively high development costs and top notch components have a big impact on the price. As we are nearly hitting the target of being brake even with that product I think we will have the opportunity of a little markdown. Also we will offer a version without the snap off adapter which will also make it much more affordable. Call it a Corona stimulus if you want... 😉😊


As we are experts in developing parts and not so much professional shipping all our oversees sales for items over 500€ will be executed by Squadra Sportiva. Especially as custom declarations can be tricky and time consuming. Because of their bigger amount of shipping, they also have better conditions at DHL express. I will update our shop with most products from us during the next days. You can also contact me directly and I will arrange everything for you.

Best regards

Alex
 
#56 ·
@4CRacer - I totally understand the low volume vs costs. I'm more than willing to pay for a high quality and robust product, which is why I purchased yours. Some people might not be willing, which is why I gave the heads up.... Anyways, my favorite aspect of your design is the strength of the bracing that the Archer Racing magnetic paddles are mounted on. The only misshifts I ever have is when it is pilot error induced... I even purchased a very similar setup for my Sim rig as I was so happy with the your setup. :D
 
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