Air Bags
MuscleCarz
06-19-2007, 03:08 PM
I want to purchase a 1969 Camaro for 5k and the only way im allowed to buy a car is if it has airbags so is it possible to install airbags in a muscle car and for how much
sub006
07-27-2007, 05:03 PM
This would be an expensive re-fit. Don't know if 30-40 year old cars have or can accept the electronics needed to make the sensors work; doubt if any shop would take on the job because of liability.
After 1967 all cars SHOULD have collapsible steering columns. Why not fit competition harnesses with two straps coming over your shoulders and locking into the lap belt? Combined with a headrest and maybe a roll bar, this should keep you as safe as an airbag as long as you buckle up!
After 1967 all cars SHOULD have collapsible steering columns. Why not fit competition harnesses with two straps coming over your shoulders and locking into the lap belt? Combined with a headrest and maybe a roll bar, this should keep you as safe as an airbag as long as you buckle up!
MagicRat
07-27-2007, 09:27 PM
Excellent post.
Airbag systems are thoroughly integrated with the structure of the car, dashboard design, layout etc. As noted above it is likely an expensive and bad idea to retrofit air bags. They may actually be more dangerous than nothing at all.
Take a look at drag race cars, older Nascar stock cars etc. All these have proper roll cages, race type bucket seats and 5 point harnesses.
These cars easily withstand horrendous crashes that would overwhelm an airbag equipped modern car.
Nascar, the NHRA and other race sanctioning bodies require such safety systems. They do not require airbags! There is a reason for this! These systems are much better than airbags!
Airbags are used because they are an invisible safety system that the average consumer will accept in a car. Most would not accept 5 point belts and a huge roll cage.
There are several excellent 12 point roll cages designed for that model of Camaro that have been crash - proven on the race track. Go for the systems I mention above and you will be much safer than just an airbag car.
Airbag systems are thoroughly integrated with the structure of the car, dashboard design, layout etc. As noted above it is likely an expensive and bad idea to retrofit air bags. They may actually be more dangerous than nothing at all.
Take a look at drag race cars, older Nascar stock cars etc. All these have proper roll cages, race type bucket seats and 5 point harnesses.
These cars easily withstand horrendous crashes that would overwhelm an airbag equipped modern car.
Nascar, the NHRA and other race sanctioning bodies require such safety systems. They do not require airbags! There is a reason for this! These systems are much better than airbags!
Airbags are used because they are an invisible safety system that the average consumer will accept in a car. Most would not accept 5 point belts and a huge roll cage.
There are several excellent 12 point roll cages designed for that model of Camaro that have been crash - proven on the race track. Go for the systems I mention above and you will be much safer than just an airbag car.
MrPbody
07-28-2007, 10:48 AM
MusclecarZ,
Is this a parental thing? Do they understand cars at all? I agree with the suggestion to install a cage and harness sytem. That's how we've been making high performance street cars safer for the occupants for the last 40 years. The cage would be MUCH safer than the air bags.
If you want a muscle car, and you must have air bags, there's only one I know of. '04-'06 GTO. No offense, but no muscle car has ever had a "Z" in its name... Camaros and Firebirds are "pony cars"... (wait for it... It's comin'... That is, the argument over what a muscle car really is... )
As another said, the technology is complex and the installation would be VERY expensive. Could it be done? Of course. How deep are your pockets?
Jim
Is this a parental thing? Do they understand cars at all? I agree with the suggestion to install a cage and harness sytem. That's how we've been making high performance street cars safer for the occupants for the last 40 years. The cage would be MUCH safer than the air bags.
If you want a muscle car, and you must have air bags, there's only one I know of. '04-'06 GTO. No offense, but no muscle car has ever had a "Z" in its name... Camaros and Firebirds are "pony cars"... (wait for it... It's comin'... That is, the argument over what a muscle car really is... )
As another said, the technology is complex and the installation would be VERY expensive. Could it be done? Of course. How deep are your pockets?
Jim
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