Quick release racing steering wheel? Thoughts?
 

Looking for some insight on quick release/racing steering wheel setup. I setting up my car for time attack after I recently got into an accident. With that said, my airbag did deploy and I will need a new steering wheel. I am on the fence of going quick release/racing wheel route or to buy a used OEM wheel with an unused airbag. My car will not be caged, at least for this year, so I'm concerned about my safety first and foremost. Secondly, is there a way to change tune maps with a racing wheel installed?

Looking for some insights and suggestions guys.

Thanks!

There are a number of us with an aftermarket steering wheel. I installed a NRG short hub quick release and my steering wheel is a OPM Superquadro. I change maps via Ecutek Bluetooth dongle and my smart phone.

Steering wheel research is important on this one. it all depends on your driving style and size. i try to get the quick release with all my set ups not because i want to release it but because it pushes the wheel out more. I am more comfortable with the wheel close to me. I got a grip royal wheel with 35mm depth with the nrg quick release with short hub and honestly its not enough for me. I usually like it so i have to reach to use the turn signal. ( long legs, short arms ):ugh2:

LOL, I am 6' 1" and that is why I went with aftermarket setup except I am the opposite of you, I have a shorter lower body and longer upper body. So my seat is close enough now so knees don't get in the way of the wheel and I don't have to reach for it any more.

Do you plan on wearing a harness to lower the possibility of your head banging into your wheel in an accident? The stock seat belt does not keep you snug in your seat and is reliant on an airbag to keep you safe.
Meanwhile, even a harness can still be harmful with how much your head jerks forward and risks if your roof ever collapses in a rollover.

If safety truly goes first, stock airbag+seatbelt setup is the safest on the street.

I have a wheel, seat, and harness setup in mine, and instead of a quick release, I've since swapped to a spacer. I needed the wheel a bit closer to my body too. I found the spacer to have zero play, while my NRG quick release sometimes had enough to bug me. I never had issues getting in and out of the seat with the steering wheel in place.

I do plan on putting a cage in with a harness bar. But at this point, I'd be racing 1-3 events with just the OEM seatbelt.

So regarding the "play" .........That's another thing I'm worried about. I don't want any play in the steering wheel when turning. Did you have their newest model of quick release hubs?

I don't have any play in mine and it's version 4 I believe. I have a four point roll bar and 5 point harness! There is always risk and one should try to minimize it where they can and it may still not be enough as there have been a couple of amateur race deaths this year.

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I had their slim QR.
I think if you got their full size one (the Works bell knockoff) or a genuine Works bell, there wouldn't be any play at all. I don't know about other brands.

If it were me I'd wait till you have a cage with a door bar to get the quick release because there is no real need for it till then besides looks. DO you research now but hold off in the install.

My airbag deployed so I need to replace it regardless. Figured might as well do it now If i'll be going this route in the future. No sense in paying another 800 on a wheel...

Not sure of your setup but if it were me first get Harness & Hans then I would be OK with no airbags. But given your two choices I'd choose Quick release over OEM w/o airbag.

Agreed!!! Or you can buy my oem steering wheel including the air bag if you don't want to buy bar and harness for now! LOL

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Harness bar will be going in with a cage at the beginning of next year. I'd like to just get at least 1-2 races in this year.