The miata has a standard three bolt circle track style wheel in it.
I actually have two to choose from. One that is slightly too small, resulting in serious steering effort from the depowered rack.
The other is too big, and too deeply dished for driving position. However, steering effort is as easy as can be.
The little one nests inside the bigger, and sits further from the driver.
Anyway, how are the wheels measured? Outside ede to outside? Centerline of the rim? Inside?
Ideally ill find a way to split the difference between the two and have easier effort and better fit.
How do i measure correctly to track down the right fit?
On an old MR2 of mine, the factory wheel was like 14.5" or 15". My first aftermarket wheel was 13" and was too small, too narrow, for my wide shoulders.
I clearly remember that 13.5" was just right!
I don't remember how it was measured but I think it was the center of the rim (the hand hold) to the other center.
Is this for street use or track use? My 330mm Sparco R353 was perfect for track use, but would have required too much effort on the street. 350mm would have been better for that.
In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :
Yes to both. Im finding that the higher effort smaller wheel is very tough to keep up with on fast courses fir me. The bigger wheel is easier, but im hitting everywhere in the interior.
FWIW, this is what a 350mm Momo looks like in a Miata. I love it. 
Cool beans, now that we have identified a 350mm wheel, is it 350 OD, ID, or centerline?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Any way you can measure it to see if its id, od, or centerline that measures 350mm?
My bet is that its od, like tom said. But, just to make sure before a money expenditure mistake.
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
I have two Momo wheels. One is a Momo "Tuner" type D35 and the other is a type D36. It's stamped on the backside of one of the spokes. The D35 is 350 MM O.D. and the D36 is 360 MM O.D. If you look up a Momo "Tuner" wheel it will be listed as a 350 MM wheel.
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
Awesome!!!
Thank you!
Now i know what to hunt after i get my measurements!
Dusterbd13-michael said:
In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :
Yes to both. Im finding that the higher effort smaller wheel is very tough to keep up with on fast courses fir me. The bigger wheel is easier, but im hitting everywhere in the interior.
Ah yes, the fundamental paradox of the Miata. Depending on how big you are you will probably have to choose between the lesser of these two problems. I'm 6'0, 210 lbs. I switched from a 350mm Momo tuner to the 330mm R353 because my hands were always in my knees in tight turns. It definitely took more effort with the 330mm wheel but my driving was cleaner and I adjusted quickly. Now I'm in a Spec Racer Ford with an even smaller Formula style wheel, it can't be more than 300mm. And it takes even more effort, but again I adjusted quickly.
So I guess what I'm saying is, man up. ;)
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:
So I guess what I'm saying is, man up. ;)
...or just put the power steering back in? :) Yes it's heavy, but if it makes the car faster it's worth it IMHO.
codrus (Forum Supporter) said:
...or just put the power steering back in? :) Yes it's heavy, but if it makes the car faster it's worth it IMHO.
Excellent point. OP also didn't say how the steering was depowered- if it's just looped lines, then it will feel much heavier and slower than a properly depowered rack with the interior seals removed.
Its a properly depowered rack.
And putting the power steering back in isn't an option, as i can't find enough clearance between the v6 oil pan and rack and still have the hood shut .
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
add an electric column under the dash from a Cobalt or similar?
In reply to Stefan (Forum Supporter) :
Had one here that i tried. Couldn't figure out how to make it fit, honestly.
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Ah, bummer. I know when the 924 guys have done it, they've had to splice things together to get it all to fit.
The Miata being a smaller rig, it makes sense that it would be more difficult/impossible to fit.
https://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=40135
https://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?p=308497
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Oh and there is a kit now for the NA/NB Meotter:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/miata-electric-power-steering-conversion/151081/page1/
What wheel are you thinking about for the Miata?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Hadn't gotten that far yet. With it being an ex challenge car, and mostly competition use, nothing too fancy.
Hopefully about 14.5 inches od, as thats exactly middle between the two wheels.
Dusterbd13-michael said:
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Hadn't gotten that far yet. With it being an ex challenge car, and mostly competition use, nothing too fancy.
Hopefully about 14.5 inches od, as thats exactly middle between the two wheels.
So, that's 370 mm basically. I don't know that I have seen any momo or other nice wheels come in that size.
I'll look around a bit and see what I can find.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
Momos listed on the Summit site are all 350, 360 range, or smaller....except one that's 410 ! Not sure what that's intended for.
I have a 380 or 385 omp wheel in my champcar.
Same rack and swap as michaels miata. Mine is an rx7 though.
It was meant for European semi truck racing. Lolz.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
The too big is a 15.5 od wheel. Nascar surplus shop special. Great for use, bad for fitment.
It WOULD be great for semi truck!
I don't need or want a super nice wheel. Cheap and right dimensions and functional. Grant, speedway, afco, dont matter.....
FWIW, one of my CRXs came with a cheap wheel--and I could feel it flexing all over the place. Like, I could flex the wheel rim forward and back.
I replaced it with a Momo. Totally transformed the driving experience.
