carbon fiber steering wheel mod

[jjrho]

Hi guys, i'm sending my steering wheel to 'american stitches' in texas to have real carbon fiber insertions on the top and bottom 2 sides of the wheel. because it's a low vol. car, they have no core exchange program.
they are quoting $650 for the mod, with new leather insertion , etc.
if any one's interested in modifying their steering wheel, let me know.... maybe we can get a group rate.
also, i have an extra OEM steering wheel, so if you need it, let me know.... cause you have to take your rim down and send it in to them for 2-3wks for their work.
they also do other exotic woods and colored leathers too...
here's their site.
http://www.american-stitches.com/ams...es/index2.html

jim R
jjrho@adelphia.net
95 nsx-t blk/tan

[thedon67]

Please post a picture when you get it back. Very curious to see how it looks.

Good luck.

[Casper91]

Very cool.


If you get enough interest, let me know the group buy details.

[jjrho]

hey guys, i talked to the sales at american stitches.
they said 10% discount for nsx prime members....
my real carbon fiber wheels/new leather will be $585....
for other stuff/wood, leather work, price may differ....

as soon as i get it done, will post pics....

i also found a very nice shifter with real carbon fiber top and blk leather on bottom half, which would go well with the new steering wheel....

maybe will do CC exhuast tips to finish the theme.... or just leave the exterior alone....
i also saw a carbon fiber intakes/ for the sides.... in some magazine.....
think it'd be ok for blk NSXs, as far as the ext. mods....

jim R
95 nsx-t blk
so calif

[apapada]

I would be concerned of having CF in such close proximity of me in case of an accident.

[jjrho]

yeah, just don't have an accident...

it's not a concern... it's still applied to the oem steel core....

if you are in an accident that big, CF on a steering wheel is not gonna be much an issue.

all in the quest for the 'look'

j rho

[apapada]

I have seen CF parts broken into pieces. It's scary how sharp those broken pieces are

if you are in an accident that big, CF on a steering wheel is not gonna be much an issue.

you do not need an accident "that big". If that cf is in the way of the airbag exploding, you can make an accident become a serious accident imho.

all in the quest for the 'look'

to the point of being irresponsible and risking being seriously injured ? No thank you very much

[paladin]

yea, i seriously have to question the logic behind this decision. ok, lets take this material that is prone to shattering into incredibly sharp pieces, and place it one foot from my heart. check.
And while we're at it get Darwin on the phone, he'll wanna hear about this one

[NSXDreamer2]

but.... does OEM put wood or even some totally made in wood, I don't think those wood are that much diff. than the CF???

come to think of it, a lot of race cars use carbon fiber in their cockpit area, but then of course, they have 4, 5, or 6 point harnass on it... umm, Jim, "all in the quest for the 'look'" and safety, put 'em on your car too, so these people will be quiet already

[apapada]

Originally posted by NSXDreamer2
but.... does OEM put wood or even some totally made in wood, I don't think those wood are that much diff. than the CF???


I had the same concern about wood trims on my BMW and after research I discovered that wood horning the dash and steering wheel is specifically designed so that it will "flake" rather break. Kind of like regular glass and safety glass for the windshield.


come to think of it, a lot of race cars use carbon fiber in their cockpit area, but then of course, they have 4, 5, or 6 point harnass on it... umm, Jim, "all in the quest for the 'look'" and safety, put 'em on your car too, so these people will be quiet already

not all CF is born equal, nor the process to make the parts out it the same. it's like saying that the aluminium used in the aircraft industry is the same as the coke aluminium cans we buy.

[jjrho]

interesting comments...very relevant.

the CF that they use is real carbon fiber, not the CF look...

i think the CF fibers are flexible material that sets with the resin... i don't think they shatter, to my knowledge....

agree, safety is more important....
anyway, if the air bag deploys, it will shoot out away/in front of the steering wheel pieces....

jim R

[paladin]

I'm not a structural engineer here so i may be incorrect in this assumption, but i think ALL weaves of CF are prone to shattering

[jlindy]

Holy crap that is expensive for a mod to a steering wheel. You really got to love CF to spend that.

[dlongo]

Based on the pictures it looks like they only add carbon fiber over the wheel, and leave the airbag stock (A wise decision on their part if they want to avoid legal issues)

Carbon fiber is brittle by nature, but I don't see how a coating of CF is going to come shattering off the steering wheel and come at the driver in an accident. It's not serving any structural purpose. In a really bad accident where the steering wheel deflects it might break and cut the drivers hands, that's about it IMHO.

It looks like a nice mod, I bet it will take 1/2 second off your quarter mile time. Way too expensive for me, though I like the idea of keeping the stock airbag.

Dave