Steering Wheel Size

[TheBlakeOlson]

I have Superformance w/ 15" "moto-lita" wood wheel. what size was used on the "original" cobras? 16"? I saw a CSX and the wheel seemed larger than 15".

thanks

[tortuga]

Originally Posted by TheBlakeOlson

I have Superformance w/ 15" "moto-lita" wood wheel. what size was used on the "original" cobras? 16"? I saw a CSX and the wheel seemed larger than 15".

thanks

I believe they were 16"? Ours are one piece, the originals had independant spokes and require a ring with reliefs to hold the whole mess together.

See cobrarestorers.com

Steve H
1764

[LMH]

16" original
Larry

[Shootnride]

This question has me wondering if changing from a 15" to a 16" steering wheel would make any significant difference in steering effort. Anyone here have any experience with making this change ?

Ted

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by Shootnride

This question has me wondering if changing from a 15" to a 16" steering wheel would make any significant difference in steering effort. Anyone here have any experience with making this change ?

Ted

It depends on your size and how your seat is oriented (i.e. tilt back). That extra 1/2" on all sides may not sound like a lot, but if you're already tight then you run the chance of more clearance issues. When I had my Superformance I contemplated the same thing. Ended up sticking with a 15" but bought the true independent three-spoke with the proper center ring just to be certain (ordered directly through Moto-Lita, via Hillbank, to ensure the SPF hole spacing was exact).

16" would have been tight. Do-able, but I have large hands and am tall so it would have been tight.

[Dwight]

I changed a 14" to a 15" last spring on a B&B and it was like I added power steering. Hugh differences.

Dwight

[DanEC]

You should look at your current wheel clearance to the door and cowl wrap around which depending on your wheel placement can be pretty tight - and a bigger wheel could make it tighter. I would agree that you would probably notice some difference in steering effort - not sure how much you can tell. Basically you are going from a 7-1/2 inch leverage to 8 inch which is about a 6 to 7% advantage. More winding of the wheel in turns though.

[Shootnride]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll take a closer look at the available clearances for the steering wheel on my car.

Originally Posted by DanEC

Basically you are going from a 7-1/2 inch leverage to 8 inch which is about a 6 to 7% advantage.

Dan,
My primary interest in this is because of the steering effort required when trying to maneuver the car into tight spaces with the car moving VERY slowly (which I have to do every time I put it back into my garage). Since I'm generally steering with two hands and assume the force I'm exerting on the steering wheel is probably about equal with each hand (one exerting force up and the other exerting force down), wouldn't that equate to a 12-14% advantage ? Or am I not looking at this correctly ?

Ted

[DanEC]

I'm just looking at the lever arm that the radius of the steering wheel represents. A force has to be applied at the rim normal to that radius to turn the wheel. Going from a radius of 7.5 inches to 8 inches equates to a lever arm that is 1.0667 times longer. Say it takes 20 lbs of force at the rim to initiate movement the reduced force should be 20/1.0667 = 18.75 lbs of force now. As long as you are using 2 hands in both instances, the effort for each hand is basically half or the 20 or 18.75 lbs.

Going from a 14 to a 15 would be a very slightly greater change. If Dwight noticed a significant change going from 14 to 15, you should notice pretty much the same going from 15 to 16.

[Shootnride]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I'm just looking at the lever arm that the radius of the steering wheel represents. A force has to be applied at the rim normal to that radius to turn the wheel. Going from a radius of 7.5 inches to 8 inches equates to a lever arm that is 1.0667 times longer. Say it takes 20 lbs of force at the rim to initiate movement the reduced force should be 20/1.0667 = 18.75 lbs of force now. As long as you are using 2 hands in both instances, the effort for each hand is basically half or the 20 or 18.75 lbs.

Going from a 14 to a 15 would be a very slightly greater change. If Dwight noticed a significant change going from 14 to 15, you should notice pretty much the same going from 15 to 16.

Makes sense.

After doing a little research on the cost of 16" steering wheels, it may make more sense to just go with power steering.

Ted

[Late Apex]

Originally Posted by Shootnride

This question has me wondering if changing from a 15" to a 16" steering wheel would make any significant difference in steering effort. Anyone here have any experience with making this change ?

Ted

For a lot less steering effort and also better grip change to a thicker wheel but same diameter. The OEM wheel on my Backdraft is way too thin for a solid grip and went with a similar looking wheel but thicker and it made a huge difference plus kept that Cobra look.

[Texn8]

After doing some serious homework, I have found cars came with either 15" wheel for 260/289 and 16" for the big blocks, which makes sense with the heavier weight.

[AC Ventura]

When I rebuilt my RHD Mk IV, I fitted an original Mk III style Mota Lita, which you can still buy new in the UK. It’s significantly larger than the 15” and to me looks and feels dead cool. However I had reposition the column. I was worried about vibration but there’s non really.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by Texn8

After doing some serious homework, I have found cars came with either 15" wheel for 260/289 and 16" for the big blocks, which makes sense with the heavier weight.

Original production cars, both leaf spring and coil spring, came with 16” steering wheels.
Larry

[t walgamuth]

An inch makes a noticeable difference to feel. Smaller will feel more responsive but will take more effort to turn. I have power steering in mine so can use any size I like.

[tortuga]

You just need the right spacers.
I love it, steering feels lighter and parking maneuvers are easier. The other interesting thing about the bigger wheel is that your tachometer is completely unobstructed, maybe why it’s where it is?
Here’s the ring you need;
https://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb...7a~Z5Z5Z5AAAHC
And what the wheel looks like
https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/steering...-split-centre/
(Although this one is a 15”)
I frankly don’t recall who I bought the 16” from...

Steve H
SPF 1764

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by TheBlakeOlson

I have Superformance w/ 15" "moto-lita" wood wheel. what size was used on the "original" cobras? 16"? I saw a CSX and the wheel seemed larger than 15".

thanks

Yes, they were 16"

[ACHiPo]

Agree the originals were 16". I bought mine directly from Moto-Lita in the UK.

https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/steering...-split-centre/

[t walgamuth]

I agree with Steve.

I had a spacer made for mine, about 1/2". My column is an idit so it has tilt also. The angle on the tilt affects your knuckle room at the cowl. With the wheel fully tilted down there is knuckle room but I figured in the heat of battle at an autocross I'd forget to tilt it down and rap my knuckles.

[pormgb]

A few weeks back, I picked up a 16" Moto-Lita, and absolutely love it. Steering is much easier, and the large wheel has a real vintage feel. I hunted around to find the best price, and I only bought the wheel. Since the bolt pattern is different from generic 6 bolt steering wheels, I redrilled a quick release adapter and machined a trim ring.