[Mod] Firebird Steering Wheel Quick Release Adapter
09-17-2014, 07:25 PM
#1
[Mod] Firebird Steering Wheel Quick Release Adapter
Hi Everyone,
Some time ago I wanted to add a quick release to the steering wheel in my 87 GTA as an anti-theft measure. While somewhat JDM, a quick release is an excellent theft deterrent, since you can remove the wheel entirely and apply a separate column lock to secure the car. Much more effective than an alarm system alone, since the thief now has to defeat both the ignition and column locks to steal the car. The looks people give you walking away with the steering wheel is also a plus.
I wanted to use the stock steering wheel and spent some time drafting up an adapter plate in Solidworks to have one machined at a local shop, since I prefer the original much more than any aftermarket wheel. The plate mates the 6-bolt pattern of the NRG quick release to the the larger diameter 6-bolt pattern of the GTA wheel frame (under the riveted horn button cover plate), while maintaining all original mounting points in the wheel.
I'm quite happy with the outcome and wanted to give something back to the community that's helped so much during the restoration of a car I've waited a lifetime to buy. To that end, I've attached a number of reference pictures, the final build sheet, measurements (metric), and the original solidworks drawing and part files in two .zip files. Depending on your skill, there is enough information to either easily make one yourself in the shop, or have one made for you at a local machine shop. It takes about 2 hours to do with the right tools.
For those who need the NRG part numbers:
Website: NRG Innovations
As my GTA is black on black with gold accents, I opted to use black frames with gold chrome to match the colour scheme of the car. There are others available to suit your tastes.
The total cost of the mod was about $460 CAD (all inclusive) at the time of writing. Depending on where you live and if you make the plate yourself, this could be done for less. Also of note is that this was done for a Canadian car and the measurements are metric, however, you can easily substitute equivalent standard measurement screws.
Keep it on the track,
RR.
Some time ago I wanted to add a quick release to the steering wheel in my 87 GTA as an anti-theft measure. While somewhat JDM, a quick release is an excellent theft deterrent, since you can remove the wheel entirely and apply a separate column lock to secure the car. Much more effective than an alarm system alone, since the thief now has to defeat both the ignition and column locks to steal the car. The looks people give you walking away with the steering wheel is also a plus.
I wanted to use the stock steering wheel and spent some time drafting up an adapter plate in Solidworks to have one machined at a local shop, since I prefer the original much more than any aftermarket wheel. The plate mates the 6-bolt pattern of the NRG quick release to the the larger diameter 6-bolt pattern of the GTA wheel frame (under the riveted horn button cover plate), while maintaining all original mounting points in the wheel.
I'm quite happy with the outcome and wanted to give something back to the community that's helped so much during the restoration of a car I've waited a lifetime to buy. To that end, I've attached a number of reference pictures, the final build sheet, measurements (metric), and the original solidworks drawing and part files in two .zip files. Depending on your skill, there is enough information to either easily make one yourself in the shop, or have one made for you at a local machine shop. It takes about 2 hours to do with the right tools.
For those who need the NRG part numbers:
- Short Hub (Pontiac/GM): SRK-170H
- Quick Release Mechanism: SRK-250BK-C/GD
- Quick Lock: SRK-101C/GD
Website: NRG Innovations
As my GTA is black on black with gold accents, I opted to use black frames with gold chrome to match the colour scheme of the car. There are others available to suit your tastes.
The total cost of the mod was about $460 CAD (all inclusive) at the time of writing. Depending on where you live and if you make the plate yourself, this could be done for less. Also of note is that this was done for a Canadian car and the measurements are metric, however, you can easily substitute equivalent standard measurement screws.
Keep it on the track,
RR.
Last edited by RunawayRadio; 06-29-2016 at 12:44 PM.
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