Prototipo 350 or 370mm?

I'm contemplating replacing the stock Monte Carlo steering wheel in my 328 with a Prototipo. I know some of you 308/328 guys have done this swap. I'm not sure which one I'd be happier with, the 350mm (stock size) or the 370mm. The bigger one would make low speed steering a tad easier, and might make the upper part of the gauges more visible, but on the downside would make entry/exit just a little harder. What do you guys think? Has anyone here installed the 370mm wheel?

 

I installed a 320 mm Prototipo and really enjoyed the extra room that it provided. At the same time, I installed a eccentric wheel spacer that lifted the steering wheel that also provided more room. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

go with a 350, best compromise , a 320 would be significantly harder a low speed. 350 is a nice decrease from original size wheel.

 

Huh? 350 IS the original size wheel. Please read the first post carefully. My choice is the stock size 350 or going bigger with a 370.

 

I have a perfect Prototipo that came with my GT4, I located and replaced it with an original. I will measure it later today. Peter.

 

It’s 350mm, let me know if your interested in it. I have no need for it now.
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Thanks Peter, but I need one with black spokes.

 

Still hoping to get opinions on 350mm vs 370mm.

 

350mm is too big (another 320mm ex-308 user). I'd add that the "eccentricity" that 4right mentioned can also be a factor. The 320mm MOMO Corse that I presently have in my TR has a built-in eccentricity that shifts the steering wheel upward when in the straight ahead position, but the photo of the 350mm Prototipo that Peter D posted looks to have an eccentricity in the other direction when in the straight ahead position. Stock TR use a 365mm steering wheel, IIRC, as do Stock Mondial, I think -- maybe you could try one of those on just to get a rough idea of what a 370mm would feel/look like.

 

I wish I had one of those wheels to try. I found a 370mm for sale on ebay by a seller who pays for return shipping, so I may go that route.

I'll go for a drive tomorrow and give it some more thought.

 

I will add that the reason that I went with the 320 wheel was to gain more leg room. Steering effort wasn’t a consideration. Although, I don’t really sense a major difference between the two. My leg would get wedged between the shifter and the steering wheel in reverse. The new wheel and spacer eliminated this issue.

 

Interesting. I would think a 320mm would require significantly more effort at low speeds. How bad does it obscure the gauges?

 

That is why I also installed the eccentric spacer, it lifts the steering wheel, to provide more leg room, but also to enable you to see all of the gauges.

 

If money isn’t a significant factor, I would suggest that you get a used wheel from the time period that your car was manufactured so that it looks more correct. Mine is a stacked MOMO from the early 70’s. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I plan to fit a black 350mm prototipo to my 328 simply for a different aesthetic. I have old air cooled 911’s and one has a 350 and one a 380mm. The 380 transforms the car. I can’t speak for the 328 yet but will run a 380 on that to see how it works. Just waiting on a 50mm spacer to arrive to get the wheel closer. The 308/328 wheel rake angle plus the 50mm spacer might raise the 380 enough to negate leg clearance issues with the extra diameter.

 

I owned several late 80's 911s and as I recall, the stock Carrera wheel is 380mm. At one point I installed a 350mm Monte Carlo in my 86, which was okay on the track, but I didn't like it for street because it blocked the gauges and made low speed turning difficult. It also didn't come close to matching the leather in the cabin so before long I went back to the stock wheel. For years I looked for a vintage Prototipo that was 370 or 380mm but they are very rare and too expensive so I stopped looking a long time ago.

I played around with a crude mockup last night and decided the stock 350mm size in my 328 is what I want. 370 just doesn't look right.

 

I will lend you a 370 if you want. It's not right in a 328. You won't like it.

 

Thanks Sherpa, but there's no need. I definitely decided 350 is the way to go and I went ahead and ordered the wheel this morning.