BACKGROUND:
I ordered my S2000 steering wheel about 3-4 weeks ago from PininFarina. It came in, and was exactly as described and seen in pics. I wanted to try out this wheel since a fellow POer said it felt like an orgasm at one point. I
also thought I could use a smaller/cooler looking wheel that had better grips on it too. I ordered an RSX airbag at the time since I had heard that they fit as well. DO NOT make this mistake. While the RSX airbag may fit (not too well I'd say...), the harness does not plug into ours. The RSX airbag, and several new ones, including AP2 S2000 airbags use dual-stage airbags. These airbags can expand at two different speeds, depending on how fast you're cruising. While it may be possible to modify the harness to fit ours, I wasn't willing to try this, considering I had no wiring diagrams, and the wires on the prelude are exactly the same, no black for ground, lol. So I resold the airbag on ebay no problem and began my hunt for the S2000 airbag. I ended up finding one about 2 weeks later after searching ebay DAILY, and asking around on s2ki (a fvcking HUGE site!). The airbag came in today, and it looks banging.
INSTALLATION:
Installation was a piece of cake, NTPOG has a great writeup. The only tool you MAY not have would be a set of torx keys (you need T-30), but you can buy a set for $5 at Sears that'll get you through the job. I got my steering wheel puller at Auto Zone through their tool rental program, it cost $15.30, and I'll be refunded that amount when I return the puller. To use it, you remove the airbag first. Loosen the center bolt, it really helps to have one person holding the steering wheel. Loosen it up a bit by twisting it around 3-4 times or whatever. Mount the steering wheel puller on, and push against the bolt until you hear or feel a pop. Do not continue. I didn't realize that it barely took any effort. I kept going, and going, and going, until messed up the head of the center bolt. When you're done, go ahead and remove the center bolt by hand and pop the wheel off. NTPOG made a big deal out of keeping the steering wheel straight, but this isnt a big problem. Just put the new wheel on, and put on the centerbolt loosely, and drive to a closeby empty parking lot where you can test drive. Make minute adjustments and testdrive till you feel you have it centered. It'll take about 20 minutes. When you feel it's all good, go ahead and remove both battery wires, and pop the airbag in, tighten it up with the torx key, and you're set to go. And do yourself a favor and remember that you don't have to treat the airbag like it could explode at any moment with the slightest movement. It's been in a car that's turned the wheel plenty, slammed the brakes more then once, etc. It's not going to explode for no reason. Just put some electric tape around the harness if you're scared.
IMPRESSIONS:
I like the wheel, it has perforated leather which feels nice, and the thumb grips are awesome. The perforated leather also matches my RSX-S seats which a big thumbs up. The smaller diameter, but thicker grip itsself makes me feel like I'm driving a "race car" sometimes. I get a lot of compliments on it. When I first rode around in it, I really enjoyed taking sharp turns/corners quickly because it felt like I didn't have to move my hands that far. So to summarize everything above, does the wheel rock? Yes. Is it worth $300, hell no. (I'd say it's worth about $200 if you don't have any other mods you want to do)
I just installed mine yesterday and wow.. I love it. The car feels like a go kart now with the smaller wheel. I didn't have to use the wheel puller when I installed it though.
Yes - but you have to rewire the buttons. The NTPOG writeup has the instructions. This was one of the easier mods I ever did on my 5th Gen, and definetely one of my favorites.
I had to get a smaller wheel a few years ago because my knee hit the wheel when blip/down shifting, even after moving the seat nearly all the way back. Then I had to get two Sparco extensions so I could reach the wheel. And the mounting hardware was difficult to get, and shipping from Japan cost as much as the part. I rewired the cruise control to the Sparco horn buttons. People think I have NOS.
Anyway, it cost a lot more than $300. Sounds like the S2000 wheel would have worked for me, and been a much better deal, except that I'd still need extensions.
Good writeup! I have the JDM Honda Integra Type R (RSX) steering wheel, which is similar to the s2000 version...
It doesn't have the cruise control buttons, but I haven't bothered to put any (I rarely used cruise control before the swap). Like Drew, one of my favorite mods too.
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James--'99 Ficus Green Pearl Type SH, 03' Starlight Silver Metallic Pilot EX-L, 02' silver Mitsubishi Galant ES
The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred...--Soichiro Honda www.hacstl.com...RIP 1999--2011
WTF. you all have s2k wheels and stock cd players?!?!? your all off my buddy list
Yeah, a CD player isn't high on my priority list.
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James--'99 Ficus Green Pearl Type SH, 03' Starlight Silver Metallic Pilot EX-L, 02' silver Mitsubishi Galant ES
The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred...--Soichiro Honda www.hacstl.com...RIP 1999--2011
WTF. you all have s2k wheels and stock cd players?!?!? your all off my buddy list
Actually James has a JDM Integra Type R steering wheel. :runsandhides:
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Name: Jack-in-the-Box -|- Car: Meep-meep -|- 2001 EBP Type SH Gremlin Infested. Do Not Add Water. Seriously, DO NOT ADD WATER. RIP. To be replaced.
I do not need to explain anything to you.
My broken wings still strong enough to cross the ocean with.
My broken wings how far should I go drifting in the wind.
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