Why You Should Upgrade to a Racing Steering Wheel for Better Control

Muscle car enthusiasts are always looking for ways to improve their car’s performance, and no upgrade is ever too small. While it’s easy for drivers to just think about large mechanical modifications, like upgrading the engine, exhaust, or brakes, smaller aftermarket upgrades are just as important. We’re always big fans of interior performance upgrades, which can improve the looks, experience, and performance of your vehicle, all in one. 

One modification that we always recommend to car enthusiasts is to install a racing steering wheel. There’s a common misconception that aftermarket steering wheels are only about style, but they’re also a great way to add a performance steering upgrade to your muscle car. With this simple upgrade, you can increase your control and your vehicle’s handling, to really maximize how well your car drives, and tailor it to your specific needs. It’s why we stock a large inventory of racing steering wheels, so you can find the perfect option for your muscle car.

Here’s why installing one can take your muscle car to the next level whenever you’re behind the wheel.

A Smaller Size Means More Controlled Steering

Simply put, racing steering wheels offer improved control and handling because they are smaller and tighter. The overall size of an aftermarket performance steering wheel is much smaller than the stock option, even in high-performance muscle cars. You can imagine how much easier it is to turn a smaller circle 90 degrees in one direction or the other than it is with a larger circle, and that means it’s easier to get your car to turn, giving you more control and precision. Simply installing a smaller racing steering wheel will improve your vehicle’s response time, but you can get even more performance by adjusting the steering ratio. This will give you an even more responsive wheel.

The Right Shape to Maximize Performance

Aftermarket racing steering wheels are usually shaped differently than the steering wheels that come standard with your car. There’s a reason for that, as the shapes, which are usually flat-bottomed instead of curved, are designed to maximize performance. These designs give you more control over the steering wheel, while also clearing more space so that the wheel doesn’t get in the way.

Better Grip at All Times

Never underestimate the importance of good grip. There’s a reason that professional racers wear driving gloves, and it’s not just because they’re fire-resistant. Racing steering wheels have dramatically better grip than the OEM steering wheels that most muscle cars are equipped with, and that gives you so much more control when steering. It ensures that your hands have full control over the steering wheel, and allows you to have a lighter grip when turning, which will improve your response time and your coordination. Good grip on your steering wheel also allows you to confidently shift gears, knowing you can regain traction on the steering wheel in an instant as soon as you need it. You can’t steer well if you can’t grip well, and there’s no better way to improve that than with a racing steering wheel.

Limited Distractions

The average modern steering wheel is full of buttons, nobs, and wheels. In most vehicles these days, you can use the steering wheel to adjust your music, answer phone calls, set cruise control, and so much more. Believe it or not, all those various buttons and symbols can be extremely distracting. Your eye catches them when you’re trying to look at the road, and your fingers snag on them when you’re trying to turn quickly. If you’re trying to eke every second of performance out of your muscle car on a track day or a fun backroad, making your interior more bare bones always helps.

Less Weight for Better Performance

Speaking of bare bones, every ounce counts for performance. You won’t save a huge number of pounds by switching to a performance racing steering wheel, but you’ll shed a little bit of weight. Racing steering wheels are quite a bit lighter than their OEM counterparts, so this can help make your muscle car a little slimmer.

Better Looks

Technically, aesthetics aren’t a performance upgrade. But we can all agree that having a good-looking muscle car gives us more confidence, and that can make us feel like we’re driving a little faster (even if we aren’t). The same is true with your vehicle’s interior: the nicer it looks and feels, the more confidence you’ll have when putting your car to the test. If you’re ready for the exciting addition of an aftermarket racing steering wheel for your muscle car, then you’ve come to the right place. We have a large stock of options and a team of sales techs standing by to help you out.