Shifter Paddles for a Sparco Steering Wheel
By: Manly Kao 

Introduction

I had a local machine shop special design a set of shifting paddles for my Sparco steering wheel. I
think the mounting holes are the same with Momo steering wheels also.

Materials, Supplies, and Tools used

  1. Steering Wheel Hub Kit (Ordered from TakaKaira.com) - Imported hub kits must be use for this project. All domestic kit such as Momo and Sparco
    render the wire spindle on steering column useless. It will also set off the SRS Warning Light and disable the Auto Signal Cancel Return. A proper Hub
    Kit such as the one from TakaKaira will retain Auto Signal Cancel, Steering Column Wire Spindle, and disable the SRS Warning Light by providing a
    Plug that goes over the Airbag connector after it has been remove. 
  2. Sparco Steering Wheel Spacer (I just like the driving position with it, not necessary)
  3. Steering Wheel Puller (bought from Sears)
  4. Sparco Mugello Streering Wheel
  5. Torque Wrench (capable of 40 ft-lbs)
  6. Wires, Crimper, misc connector, etc.

Before you start. Make sure your steering wheel and tires are pointed straight a head. Oh, and disconnect the Battery.
Remove the torx screw on each side of the steering wheel.
The steering hub kit even came with the T30 torx wrench to remove the airbag.
After removing the Torx Screws, just lift the airbag up slowly. It will reveal a yellow wire is attached in the back.
I recommend discounting the battery before removing the airbag connector from the yellow wire. But I was lazy.
Here's a view of the stock wheel after removing the airbag.
Next, disconnect the white connector from the steering column wire spindle. This connector contains the wires for up/down shift and cruise control.
Remove the steering shaft nut.
Now, use a Steering wheel puller to remove the stock steering wheel.
Insert the after market hub adapter into the steering shaft. There is an indicator on the hub that lets you know which side is up.
Now, connect the SRS connector that came with the Hub Kit to the yellow wire on the steering column wire spindle.
Here's a view of the female connector for the shift buttons/cruise control on the wire spindle (to the Right of the yellow SRS wire).
This is a very critical item. It also came with the Imported Hub Kit. However, this connector only came with the yellow wire on position 1. I had to insert the black wires for the shift buttons.
I had to play around with it for awhile before knowing which wire is for what. I will provide a map for the wire position - Position 1 being the the very left position:
Position 1: Horn
Position 2: Cruise Control
Position 3: Ground
Position: 4: Nothing
Position: 5: Up Shift
Position 6: Down Shift
Another view of the connector from the previous picture.
Here's a picture with the connector inserted.
Tighten the shaft nut to 40 ft-lbs. This is also where I attached the ground wires for the shift micro-switches. I find this to be easier than to connect the ground to position 3 on the white connector discussed above. You will need to fish all the wires from the the spindle thru (horn and two black up/down shift wire).
Insert the rubber piece that came with the hub kit to hide the SRS wire.
Completed view of the hub installation.
Now install the Sparco Spacer. I drilled a hole on the bottom of the spacer for the paddle shift assembly wires. If you don't want a spacer, you will need to drill a hole on the rubber cover piece for the wires.
Connect the wire from the paddle shift assembly.
Connect the horn wire on the steering wheel. You don't need a ground wire, well at least for the Mugello. The ground is attached to the wheel already.
Finished front view.
Finished side view.