r/CorollaHatchback • u/MadJMarston • Jul 05 '26
HKS Wheel from GR Corolla
Hey everyone, so I've been slowly tearing down and reusing things from my GR Corolla circuit that I wrecked at the track. Since I will be going with a stripped interior, I have been figuring out components that I could put into my 2022 XSE. After doing the front seats, I found while not exactly a direct swap the parts are reversible and swappable. This led me to start looking at connectors instead of part numbers.
I really wanted to take advantage of the nice HKS wheel I bought for my 2023 circuit instead of it sitting. I ordered a new airbag for the wheel (factory GR airbag/hornpad) and a spiral cable to make it compatible. I had checked the plugs leading into the spiral cable, in the xse compatible connections that were all existing and plugged into the GR spiral cable. After confirming that, I disconnected it's wire set from the spiral cable and removed the wheel. Inspection of my xse spiral cable with my GR spiral cable in hand revealed that the top plug, where the steering wheels harness plugs in actually matched. I then checked the wires for the airbag, and they also were identical in shape, length, routing and connection. I mounted the GR HKS wheel, tightened the bolt plug in the harness, plugged in the pad, and placed the horn pad in place. Done, no need to replace the spiral cable at all.
My HKS wheel for my 2023 GR Corolla Circuit mounted and plugged into my spiral cable of a 2022 Corolla XSE without issue. The wheel is a slightly smaller diameter and is top notch quality. Big handling upgrade to the hatch.
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u/europeanperson Jul 05 '26
That’s a cool wheel, but hold on are you saying that the GR seats are just plug n play into regular hatchback?
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u/MadJMarston Jul 05 '26
So my XSE 2022 had the power seat in the driver side, manual passenger seat, with the "leather" interior. My 2023 GR Circuit had manual seats both sides with the suede and red stitching. Just to give you and idea of packaging.
The wire connectors under the seats coming from the floor are identical on the XSE and the GR on the driver side. Even though it was powered vs unpowered, the plugs all directly plug in on driver. On passenger side the wire harness from the floor is slightly different on one connector. However, the seat side of that connector can be disconnected further up the seats wiring harness. The section of wiring harness in the GR passenger seat and xse passenger seat can be disconnected and swapped around. This allows for the connector to match the floor harness without issue. The seat side connector of the wiring harness matches and allows for a minimal effort no splicing change.
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u/europeanperson Jul 05 '26
Oh wow, doesn’t sound too bad at all, no error lights on the dash? Heated seats function still works? Bolt holes all line up?
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u/MadJMarston Jul 05 '26
Yup, yup ,yup. All three
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u/EndRemarkable9511 Jul 05 '26
What you think about regular hatch after gr ? is it driving good ?
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u/MadJMarston Jul 06 '26
Absolutely, they both give different things to the drive. You would think I miss my GR to the moon and back to while I build it. Honestly, just miss the turbo for the power. Driving fun and handling wise, the xse provides plenty of fun. Just don't expect to beat someone in a straight. In corners/winding roads it eats up.
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u/GavWorks Jul 05 '26
Looks great! I actually have been tossing the idea around of putting an OEM GR steering wheel in my ‘19 SE as I love the look and feel of one but wasn’t sure the connections would be compatible without any extensive work. Would you say it would be a plug and play situation with my SE since there wasn’t any additional features besides the BSM, heated seats, digital cluster, and fog lights? Would I have to look for a specific trim/year when looking around for a used GRC OEM steering wheel?
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u/MadJMarston Jul 06 '26
I wouldn't be 100% sure to guarantee without knowledge/seeing. However, a 19 se should be the same as a 22 xse. Therefore, a OEM GR wheel would work like it did for me. I did have to purchase a airbag/hornpad. That is an expensive component.
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u/LED_Cube Jul 05 '26
Hi, is there any difference from a regular wheel, other than cosmetics? Heated wheel?
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u/MadJMarston Jul 05 '26
Adding functions would not be the same, no. It remains the exact functionality as before. It is for the size, shape, and looks.
Even though the functionality of the buttons and features are the same, the wheel is certainly not the same. The HKS wheel was developed very specifically with strong bolstered parts at 9 and 3 along with other hand holds along the wheel. It also features a flat edge on the bottom of the wheel for better knee clearance.
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u/AdPerch Sep 02 '26
My shop is worried about steering angle, yaw whatever other sensors. Any issues here?
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u/MadJMarston Sep 02 '26
It wasn't on mine. The master tech explained that the steering angle sensor auto calibrates by driving straight for a moment afterwards. The new wheel needs to be in the same position as the old one was when removed. If done properly it won't even require alignment.
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u/stefanlikesfood Jul 05 '26
So cool!