The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

[Windy_1238]

That is the correct size. I know because I bought longer replacements for mine when I installed rubber isolators between the diamond plate and pedal frame.

To be specific:

The thread size is M3x0.5, the head's hex key size is M2.
The bundled Thrustmaster flat head socket cap screws are about 15mm long.

Thrustmaster supplies wing nuts to use with them.
The wing nuts are convenient for use on the 2 front screws...
...but they are a complete pain in the a$$ to use on the two rear screws in the GT position.

The reason for this is that the two rear screws protrude between a pair of screws on the underside.
This makes using a regular nut difficult because of clearance issues.

...so go with about 20mm long screws in the back with wing nuts if you do GT position.
That will make threading them on easier. Don't go longer than 20mm.

Before I attached the diamond plate I epoxied the two rear wing nuts then let the epoxy set. Beware not to get and epoxy on the threads.

 

[Ferrari458Italia]

I really appreciate everyones responses. I went ahead and bought 4 M3-.5 20mm. I couldn't find the wing nuts so I guess I'll drill it tonight and make sure it fits okay and everything and buy the wing nut tomorrow after work again.
I'm not doing the diamond plate, I have some hardwood floor plates laying around and I think they would look nice with the T500. Especially since I'm kind of trying to add hardwood floor panels to the bottom of my PVC rig [work in progress] as foot rest.

 

[Windy_1238]

I'm not doing the diamond plate, I have some hardwood floor plates laying around and I think they would look nice with the T500. Especially since I'm kind of trying to add hardwood floor panels to the bottom of my PVC rig [work in progress] as foot rest.

I would like to see a pic of you're final work!

 

[Ferrari458Italia]

I would like to see a pic of you're final work!

Yeah man I definitely will. I'm currently working about 65 hours each week so I've been really tied up with things lately, but I will when I'm done. So far I've glued about a third of the rig and I made a mistake of gluing before drilling holes for mounting my seat

 

[JogoAsobi]

Before I attached the diamond plate I epoxied the two rear wing nuts then let the epoxy set.

Thats a really good idea, thanks for tip!

I really appreciate everyones responses. I went ahead and bought 4 M3-.5 20mm.

No prob., that's what the forum is for. The 20mm length I suggested was based on the approximate 1/16" thickness of the diamond plate. Don't know if your hardwood floor panels are thicker than that.

 

[Windy_1238]

Yeah man I definitely will. I'm currently working about 65 hours each week so I've been really tied up with things lately, but I will when I'm done. So far I've glued about a third of the rig and I made a mistake of gluing before drilling holes for mounting my seat

Wow, I did that routine for 7 yrs, my hats off to you!!

 

[Ferrari458Italia]

Wow, I did that routine for 7 yrs, my hats off to you!!

Hahahaha, my hats of to you as well for doing it for 7 years, I'm only doing it for the summer before I go back to school

Thats a really good idea, thanks for tip!



No prob., that's what the forum is for. The 20mm length I suggested was based on the approximate 1/16" thickness of the diamond plate. Don't know if your hardwood floor panels are thicker than that.

It's quite thin, but I don't think it'll be THAT big of a difference. Guess I'll just have to give it a run

 

[WildRun]

"FERRARI GTE F458 CHALLENGE WHEEL ADD-ON" in stock here since this morning:
http://www.rseat.fr/108-ferrari-gte-f458-wheel-add-on-pour-t500rs.html

Also in stock here:

https://www.logicnet.org/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-GTE-Wheel-Add-On/searchResultProduct.html/eid_2757419/?q=thrustmaster&bk=c2VhcmNoLmh0bWw-cT10aHJ1c3RtYXN0ZXI,

http://www.centralpoint.be/gaming-controls/thrustmaster/thrustmaster-ferrari-gte-wheel-add-on-ferrari-458-challenge-edition-pc-ps3-art-4060047-num-1426269/

http://www.amazon.de/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-GTE-Wheel-Add-On/dp/B00CTBKVWA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370353203&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=ferrari+gte+wheel+add-on+ferrari+458

 

[Simmpa]

If this add on wheel was like 320mm large I would consider buying the T500, I cannot belive they actually made it smaller. I´m gonna buy the Fanatec CSW.

 

[mrbasher]

If this add on wheel was like 320mm large I would consider buying the T500, I cannot belive they actually made it smaller. I´m gonna buy the Fanatec CSW.

It's too bad they don't give loyalty discounts...

 

[JohnBodin]

If this add on wheel was like 320mm large I would consider buying the T500, I cannot belive they actually made it smaller. I´m gonna buy the Fanatec CSW.

Good luck getting used to the squishy, over-padded Alcantara on the BMW wheel.



Obviously there's no comparing it to to my current Sam Maxwell Momo Mod 27d wheel, but I honestly preferred the feel of the stock Thrustmaster GT rim over the Alcantara covering on CSW's BMW wheel.

Plus, the new 458 Challenge wheel is almost the exact same diameter as my Momo Mod 27d, so I am speaking from experience when I say it's definitely NOT "too small" -- the diameter on my Mod 27d is probably the optimal size for anybody who does GT, prototypes, and open wheelers. For NASCAR folks it might seem a little small, but I don't see the BMW wheel being all that much more realistic from a NASCAR perspective.

 

[JogoAsobi]

If this add on wheel was like 320mm large I would consider buying the T500, I cannot belive they actually made it smaller. I´m gonna buy the Fanatec CSW.

Grass is always greener on the other side, especially when you don't have the gear in hand.
The alcantara on my CSW GT rim had lower quality fit and stitching than my GT2 or GT3 wheels did.

Took me a few hours to acclimate to the different texture on the T500's GT rim, thats all.
I won't miss the alcantara/sweat worries now that summer is upon us here in the desert.
Really looking forward to receiving my 458 wheel.

 

[TheDabbinDave]

Good luck getting used to the squishy, over-padded Alcantara on the BMW wheel.



Obviously there's no comparing it to to my current Sam Maxwell Momo Mod 27d wheel, but I honestly preferred the feel of the stock Thrustmaster GT rim over the Alcantara covering on CSW's BMW wheel.

Plus, the new 458 Challenge wheel is almost the exact same diameter as my Momo Mod 27d, so I am speaking from experience when I say it's definitely NOT "too small" -- the diameter on my Mod 27d is probably the optimal size for anybody who does GT, prototypes, and open wheelers. For NASCAR folks it might seem a little small, but I don't see the BMW wheel being all that much more realistic from a NASCAR perspective.

Cup drivers use a wide array of wheel diameters and thicknesses. Jimmie uses a thick Momo with Alcantara, while Harvick uses a larger but skinny wheel. They've become spoiled with power steering boxes of various ratios. The guys who used to drive with a lap belt and an open face helmet while smoking a cigarette, used gigantic wheels

 

[Ferrari458Italia]

I think that 458 Challenge wheel is horrible looking. I wish they would make the original 458 wheel instead, it's so much sexier -_-

 

[Dean]

From that angle, I can only agree . - I prefer looking at the GT rim.

 

[Ferrari458Italia]

From that angle, I can only agree . - I prefer looking at the GT rim.

From that angle it looks okay to me. but normally when you're directly looking at it I absolutely hate those two buttons on each 4 quadrant of the wheel. It's so ugly. the buttons on the wheel would have been better lookin

 

[Racingworld68]

No offense to rSeat owners, but the stamped sheet metal pivot assembly on that C pillar does not seem robust enough for the T500 in this picture. Seems to me it just might flex. The 458 wheel sure looks nice though.

That is probably only the looks of it... Since I mounted mine and locked it, it has not moved for 1mm and it is robust and strong, would buy it again immidiatly...

From that angle it looks okay to me. but normally when you're directly looking at it I absolutely hate those two buttons on each 4 quadrant of the wheel. It's so ugly. the buttons on the wheel would have been better lookin

Honestly, i do not care about the looks, it's all about what it does, or doesn't...
Well we will now shortly, it will be delivered today, so I can test it tonight.

 

[JogoAsobi]

I am focused on the rotating paddle shifters.
Button ergonomics do appear better than the GT wheel.

The rest is just lipstick on the $119 price point's pig.
That's still less than half price of the CSW GT rim.

Considering the relatively low price, I think they delivered.
(Providing the paddle shifters are reliable-only time will tell there).

For those that crave increased "immersion" the Sam Maxwell wheels do deliver.

 

[oqvist]

I don´t think they deliver. My RMD Malaga 320 mm rim is considerably cheaper than that??? If they use the same cheap switches and all that again there is little value. rubber not suede or alcantara. Okay better from a durability viewpoint but it´s there because it´s cheap. Of course if I take my RMD Malaga wheel +SRW F1 (which can be had for as low as 15 euro!) and adapter it get slightly more and I have an usb cable I need attached. But I get way more buttons and best of all rev lights!

If Thrustmaster managed to put a lcd display and rev lights on it it would be more interesting but guess it´s impossible through the PS/2 interface?

 

[ICEMAN_ZIDANE]

Hey guys i opened a Thread but nobody helped me.

Maybe it was wrong to create a own Thread for it.

"Hey Guys i need your help.


1 Year ago i had my Racing Rig but i had to sell it...

Now i want to make a Comeback xD.

I ordered a T500 RS ( i had it on my old Rig too.) and i want to Mod it.

On Youtube i saw Button Boxes Working with GT 5 but thats not what i want. I saw Videos where a "Mini Plate" was directly conected to the T500 Base ( so there is no cable outside). It's right that i can use it in GT5 right ? Because its conected to the T500 and doesnt need a USB Port.

Now i need a Internet Site where i can buy them.
A Sparco Wheel
"Mini Plate"
Rotating paddle mod (iam not sure but i think i saw a Video where a guy had only 1 Plate for both, rotating paddle Mod and "Mini Plate", possible?)

Thanks"

 

[Racingworld68]

Just got the new GTE wheel delivered . Will take some pictures during my break and then testing will follow tonight.

Rseat did a great job on delivery (wich was free), the tracking number made it possible to trace the package from the moment it left Rseat till it arrived here a few minutes ago 👍

 

[itrdc5]

Hey guys i opened a Thread but nobody helped me.

Maybe it was wrong to create a own Thread for it.

"Hey Guys i need your help.


1 Year ago i had my Racing Rig but i had to sell it...

Now i want to make a Comeback xD.

I ordered a T500 RS ( i had it on my old Rig too.) and i want to Mod it.

On Youtube i saw Button Boxes Working with GT 5 but thats not what i want. I saw Videos where a "Mini Plate" was directly conected to the T500 Base ( so there is no cable outside). It's right that i can use it in GT5 right ? Because its conected to the T500 and doesnt need a USB Port.

Now i need a Internet Site where i can buy them.
A Sparco Wheel
"Mini Plate"
Rotating paddle mod (iam not sure but i think i saw a Video where a guy had only 1 Plate for both, rotating paddle Mod and "Mini Plate", possible?)

Thanks"

What you want is a wheel from Sam Maxwell or just buy the kit from him and get your own Sparco wheel.
Here's a review done by John https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=282939

Here's one of my videos using his wheel. It's a Momo Mod 27 - 270mm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE6YdHoJoBg&t=40s

 

[JohnBodin]

What you want is a wheel from Sam Maxwell or just buy the kit from him and get your own Sparco wheel.
Here's a review done by John https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=282939

Here's one of my videos using his wheel. It's a Momo Mod 27 - 270mm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE6YdHoJoBg&t=40s

Sam posted this on the iRacing forums:

=====================

How much is your cheapest wheel for the T500?

It's the Ebay wheel:

The Momo rim being priced like it is has put one of my wheels out of reach for some. So I have developed an adapter-plate assembly to fit the inexpensive wheels found on Ebay. Specifically the wheels that are found for around $30 shipped. A quick glance at wheels priced under $40 on Ebay will show literally dozons of wheels that have this style center section that can fit this adapter. The price of the adapter will be the same and will have all the options available as the Momo wheels but will come without a wheel rim and use a $30 something priced wheel instead of the $225 ones that I normally sell. (which is still below retail BTW )

That reduces the cost of one of my wheels by almost $200 and while not having a Momo rim on it still gets you a custom plug-n-play wheel for your T500 that can have functional buttons, toggles, rotarys and paddles all with no cord.

It's a $30 wheel which is used instead of the $225 Momos I sell. it knocks about $200 off the cost of one of my wheels and can be had with all the options listed for the Momos too.

So to answer the question the absolute cheapest wheel I sell is $279 and is a complete wheel with plate, adapter, 7 buttons and 3 two-way toggles. No carbon fiber, no paddles and no rotary switches.

But also no cord and it's totally plug and play.

=====================

The wheel shown has carbon fiber plates and paddle shifters, both of which would be extra-cost add-ons over the base price shown above, FWIW.

 

[Racingworld68]

So here are the promised pictures of the GTE 458 Thrustmaster T500rs wheel :











Few things I could notice already just by holding it is that it is a bit smaller then the original GT wheel and the switches for down and upshifting are different (downshifting feels smoother than upshifting, and upschifting makes a bit more noise). After tests tonight I will write my opinion on the wheel in this thread tomorrow.

 

[Gunstar]

Great pix man, hope it drives as good as it looks!!

Making it smaller just kills it for me, I really had hoped it might actually be maybe a half inch bigger than the GT rim. At least now the moving paddle guys have a wheel that will suit their needs besides the F1 wheel.

I need to quit thinking about those Maxwell wheels... that "ebay wheel" looks pretty cool, think one of your center caps might fit it John? =)

 

[ICEMAN_ZIDANE]

What you want is a wheel from Sam Maxwell ...

Thanks for your help.
I wanted to ask you how much these wheels cost but then i saw the message from a other member where he said that it starts at 280bucks.
And that wasn't a Sparco Wheel ..

I can get the Sparco for 200bucks, so i need the "Mini Plate" . Where can i get it?

Derek Spear has these Plates (there are pictures in this Forum where his Plates are mounted on the Sparco wheels). Can i buy them and Mount it to a Sparco Wheel -> than to my T500?

There are 2 reason why i don't want to buy a Sam Wheel.
1. Price , i think it will cost 300-400€!?
2. 2 Peddals .

The Wheels in the Videos i saw had a Sparco Wheel + "Mini Plate" + The standard T500 Pedalls which were rotating with the Wheel .

Can anyone help ?

Thanks

 

[JohnBodin]

Great pix man, hope it drives as good as it looks!!

Making it smaller just kills it for me, I really had hoped it might actually be maybe a half inch bigger than the GT rim. At least now the moving paddle guys have a wheel that will suit their needs besides the F1 wheel.

I need to quit thinking about those Maxwell wheels... that "ebay wheel" looks pretty cool, think one of your center caps might fit it John? =)

I'm probably going to purchase one of the ebay wheels (not the full Sam kit, just the ebay wheel) to try to develop wheel centers for it, just to help Sam to spruce it up a bit.

 

[oqvist]

Aftermarket rim+SRW F1 hard to get a better bang for buck solution besides making the fixed paddle go with the rim. I am perfectly fine with fixed though I don´t feel handicapped by them at all after acclimatisation.

 

[JohnBodin]

Thanks for your help.
I wanted to ask you how much these wheels cost but then i saw the message from a other member where he said that it starts at 280bucks.
And that wasn't a Sparco Wheel ..

I can get the Sparco for 200bucks, so i need the "Mini Plate" . Where can i get it?

Derek Spear has these Plates (there are pictures in this Forum where his Plates are mounted on the Sparco wheels). Can i buy them and Mount it to a Sparco Wheel -> than to my T500?

There are 2 reason why i don't want to buy a Sam Wheel.
1. Price , i think it will cost 300-400€!?
2. 2 Peddals .

The Wheels in the Videos i saw had a Sparco Wheel + "Mini Plate" + The standard T500 Pedalls which were rotating with the Wheel .

Can anyone help ?

Thanks

Sam is the only game in town if you want a direct-fit wheel WITH buttons (and optional moving paddle shifters) that work. The Derek Speare adapter (which Sam uses on his wheels) will allow you to bolt-on any wheel, BUT you will not have the ability to add any buttons/switches yourself (Derek's adapter doesn't include any electrical interface -- Sam does that as part of his wheel packages, which accounts for the cost).

Sam DOES sell just the adapters with the button plates (pre-wired), with or without paddle shifters -- I'll search for the price on those and post that info later.

 

[itrdc5]

Sam is the only game in town if you want a direct-fit wheel WITH buttons (and optional moving paddle shifters) that work. The Derek Speare adapter (which Sam uses on his wheels) will allow you to bolt-on any wheel, BUT you will not have the ability to add any buttons/switches yourself (Derek's adapter doesn't include any electrical interface -- Sam does that as part of his wheel packages, which accounts for the cost).

Sam DOES sell just the adapters with the button plates (pre-wired), with or without paddle shifters -- I'll search for the price on those and post that info later.

Here are prices Sam posted in the iracing forum:

"Custom wheels out of Sam's Hotrod Garage!

What I offer is a completely electronically and mechanically compatible custom wheel for the T500 that require no special adapters, no cords hanging and tangling and no software or devices installed in your pc. Simply mount it like you would a stock wheel, reconfigure your in game controls and you're done!

The T500 base sees this as a stock GT wheel and it has all 13 functions found on the stock wheel so no giving up buttons or dealing with a cord to run a custom wheel.

Here is a break down of pricing and options:

Basic Plate assembly: $249
This includes a plate-adapter assembly complete with 7 buttons and 3 two-way momentary toggle switches and is ready to mount your wheel onto.

Basic Plate Assembly with wheel: $474
This includes the Basic plate-adapter assembly with a wheel mounted.

The following are available as upgrades to the plate-adapter assembly with or without the wheel.

Rotary switches: $7 each.
This is a rotary-knob switch that takes the place of the toggle switches.

Basic Shifter Paddles: $40
Shifter Paddles mounted to the adapter allowing your wheel to have shifter paddles that move with the wheel. These do not require removal of the base unit mounted paddles. This does require removing 2 buttons from the face plate.

Carbon Fiber Shifter Paddles: $60
Same as the basic paddles but made from Carbon Fiber plate.

Carbon Fiber Button-Face Plate: $45
This replaces the basic button-face plate with one made from Carbon Fiber.

Clutch Shifter Mod: $25
This allows for the shifter paddles to do double duty by being both the clutch and the shifter. If you drive any cars that require a clutch to shift (say for the down shifts) this allows for rapid shifting with clutch activation (no clutch aid in sim) all from the paddle in 1 motion. It does not work on all cars (some have slow transmissions that require the clutch to be activated first then shifted). There are on-off mini toggle switches on the back side of the wheel that turn this on and off. 1 for each paddle.

Pro-Race Display: $178
This is the Symprojects Pro-Race display installed on one of my wheels. This system requires that the wheel have a cord and does not come with a specific wheel base mounting adapter but is setup to mount to any adapter with 70mm bolt spacing. Any wheels that have this installed automatically get 4 rotary switches installed as well. This options is currently available for any Momo Mod 27 or 26 wheels and the plate layout only comes as seen below."

Alternatively, make your own or get someone to make one for you. I did the latter. Someone good with electronics can trace the original GT's PCB. The hardware cost of the board is negligible. Here is the result of mine. Of course, you need to add up the cost of getting a plate cut, getting buttons, adapter (be it a DSD or use an adapter/original GT hub combo). Don't forget time and effort. If you add those up, Sam's ready made solution is very reasonable, although you'd be missing the DIY (fun for some) element.

ps. If making your own using a DSD adapter, you will also have to make a connector for the wiring which Sam has already done. If you can't source the right parts, this might be a bit challenging. I believe Sam rolled his own. I think his initial batch of wheels used DSD adapters as well as plates but the latter ones are all fully fabricated by himself.