Building AMG GTR3 replica sim racing wheel

As a passionate sim racing enthusiast, I've always admired the AMG GT3 steering wheel, considering it the most stunning GT3 wheel ever created. From the moment I first laid eyes on it, I was enamored.

As a business owner specializing in crafting carbon fiber car parts, I knew deep down that I wanted to recreate this wheel one day. However, what truly caught me off guard was the amount of time the process would take—nearly two years.

The wheel is finally complete, and in this blog post, I want to share the journey of creating my own version of this incredible design.

I approached this project from scratch, designing and building every part myself. While it isn’t an identical replica, I took considerable creative liberties to adapt it for sim racing needs, integrating modern technologies commonly found in contemporary steering wheels.

4mm carbon fiber front plate

In the original AMG wheel, the front plate is crafted out of brushed aluminum. However, considering that most other components in the car are built using carbon fiber, it felt natural to use carbon fiber for the front plate as well. This choice significantly reduced the weight, a crucial factor for improving control in sim racing.

The front plate was cut on a CNC machine according to the cad design I created.

Molded rubber grips 

AMG wheels typically feature Alcantara grips, but I noticed some versions with rubber grips in real-world racing photos. Rubber grips are standard on many modern steering wheels today, so I decided to opt for rubber for practical and ergonomic reasons.

Building the grips turned out to be one of the most challenging aspects of the project and involved a good deal of trial and error. Achieving an optimal finish requires specific equipment and experience, as grips are directly molded onto the carbon fiber plate for durability—a common practice in modern wheel manufacturing.

The process began with designing precise molds into which liquid rubber could be injected. Once cured, these molds produce durable grips, but achieving flawless surfaces was essential, as even minor imperfections would show on the final product. To ensure perfection, I utilized resin printing technology to create the molds and then meticulously sanded and polished them.

The surface of the molds should be absolutely perfect,  even small imperfection will be visible on the finished grips, so I used resin print technology to product the molds and then sanded and polished them.

Preventing air bubbles during molding proved another challenge. To counter this issue, I employed a vacuum chamber and pump for an efficient degassing process. After careful consideration, I selected rubber with a hardness rating of 60A Shore—the industry standard for strength and comfort.

Unique button design

One standout feature of the AMG wheel is its vibrant buttons. Inspired by this design, I used momentary switches with satisfying tactile feedback and strong resistance for a premium feel.

To accentuate these buttons, I created circular "washers" using CNC-machined aluminum.

These were anodized to match the vibrant colors seen on the original AMG wheel.

The next challenge was designing the text labels. I wanted to avoid using stickers and sought a more premium alternative. Ultimately, I decided to laser engrave the text. This process removes the anodized layer's color, revealing the bare aluminum underneath. The outcome is crisp, nearly white text that not only looks stunning but is also incredibly durable.

Additionally, fabricating dome-shaped button caps was necessary, as this specific shape was unavailable commercially.

I machined these caps from aluminum and anodized them black to complement the aesthetic. Pressing aluminum buttons adds an incredible tactile sensation to the overall feel of the wheel.

 

2 X 7-way funky switches

Examining the AMG wheel reveals a few unused holes in its layout—they appear designed to accommodate extra controls down the line. This detail inspired me to incorporate additional functionality without deviating from the wheel’s iconic design.

Sim racing often calls for efficient menu navigation, which is where "funky switches" come in handy. Each funky switch supports up to seven functions—up, down, left, right, rotary left/right scrolling, and button pressing. So, I integrated two funky switches alongside an additional rotary encoder for even greater utility.

To maintain visual harmony across design elements, I CNC machined custom aluminum knobs that closely resemble the button caps—ensuring they blend seamlessly into the wheel’s aesthetic. The rotary encoder I selected was the PEC11H from Bourns (USA), known for its top-tier force feedback and utilization in premium racing wheels.

 

Magnetic aluminum shifters

For realistic performance, I wanted metal shifters that replicate the satisfying "clack" sound achieved through direct metal-to-metal contact. Plastic or 3D-printed options simply wouldn’t deliver on this goal.

I designed sturdy shifters equipped with bearings for smooth operation and carbon fiber paddles to match the front plate while utilizing high-quality Omron switches made in Japan. These switches are commonly used in professional race cars for their exceptional reliability.

The shifters are customizable in terms of paddle placement and travel distance—adjustments can be made via screws. After CNC machining, each shifter was sandblasted and anodized black for durability and an overall sleek look.

Aluminum hub extension spacer

The design of this particular wheel leaves limited space at the back. Once the shifters and cable connector are installed, there won’t be enough room for most commonly available quick-release systems on the market. To address this, a custom extension hub was developed. The hub is designed to be narrow on the side where it connects to the wheel, minimizing its space usage. On the other end, it offers dual hole spacing options of 70mm and 50.8mm, making it compatible with nearly all popular quick-release mechanisms available today.

Weipu Japan aluminum connector & Coiled USB cable

This wheel is likely to be used along other steering wheels, meaning that connecting and disconnecting it should be as seamless as possible.

While analyzing potential solutions, I noticed many DIY wheels use GX-12 aviation connectors. I opted against them due to their lack of a quick-release mechanism. Instead, I chose the Weipu SA-12 aluminum connectors — an ideal solution because they strike the perfect balance in size, feature an excellent quick-release mechanism, and visually enhance the overall design with their aluminum build.

Sim racing wheel cables are unique in that they typically avoid standard USB connectors and employ coiled cables instead. This design prevents cable damage when the steering wheel moves and rotates, as the coiled structure allows flexibility and stretch. Considering that the real AMG wheel uses a coiled cable for connection as well, I decided to produce a customized coiled USB cable featuring the chosen Weipu connector for added authenticity.

3D printed Carbon Fiber filament back cover

Carbon fiber filaments are a relatively recent innovation in the 3D printing industry. They offer benefits like near-invisible print lines, improved strength, and reduced weight. With these advantages, the total weight of the wheel is reduced to under 925 grams, including the extension hub and shifters.

The durability of this wheel comes from a 4mm carbon fiber plate that provides exceptional structural integrity. In other designs, where grips and front plates are separate components, an aluminum back cover is often needed for added support. However, in this design, the grips are molded directly onto the carbon fiber plate, eliminating any significant advantage of using aluminum for the back cover — which would significantly increase weight.

During my research, I found that many top manufacturers have transitioned to plastic back covers not primarily to cut costs but to reduce weight. In fact, unlike my design, the real AMG wheel lacks a back cover entirely. For this replica wheel, I opted to add a back cover to keep components secure and prevent dust accumulation — a practical feature for sim racing enthusiasts who frequently change wheels.

The back cover has been designed to be low-profile and slightly smaller than the front plate. It remains mostly hidden while maintaining its function and does not interfere with aesthetics or performance during use.

Custom PCB board - wireless design

The original AMG wheel lacks a main PCB board, with all the buttons individually wired. However, since I decided to add a back cover, I was able to design a main board where all the buttons and components are soldered directly to it. This significantly reduces the number of wires in the build and enhances reliability, as the PCB board integrates all the necessary connections between components, eliminating the need for external wiring.

Plans for the future, small production?

This build has been a true labor of love—a combination of technical challenges and artistic creativity.

After posting the story of this build on Reddit , I received numerous requests from people interested in this wheel. Fortunately, I have enough components and materials to create a limited batch of these wheels.
If you're interested, feel free to reach out. For more photos and behind-the-scenes videos, check out my Instagram. @MakeItRacing