Hello all,
I have a 78' Camaro that I have been fixing up as a High School car for my daughter. I've got about 6 months to finish it. Well, I got it back from paint and body and it is running well. The old Ball & Chain is now worried that it is too much car for her baby. (Wa wah...) Despite it having 16 feet of hood and a big steel bumper she wants me to get the daughter "a newer car with airbags."

The daughter really wants he "Old Camaro." So, I'm kicking around the idea of finding a rolling 3rd Gen with airbags and somehow swapping the components to the 78'.

I'm hoping I can find something that doesn't look too modern for the 78' (doubt it) and has a stand alone ECU for the bags and sensors.

I expect I'll have to switch out the complete steering column with matching wiring splicing, Get the airbag control module, sensors and probably the wiring to use the connecters.

Does anyone know which years or models of F-bodies had bags on the driver side only and stand alone systems? Are any more dependable/ better/ safer than others? Also possibly thinking about 70's era Cadillacs or Buicks to keep it looking like the right period, just not sure the technology would still be dependable after 35 years.

Also, are there any pitfalls I might run in to or any dangers I need to look out for?

Please don't flame as I want to try and keep the mod reversable so I can switch it back when the daughter gos away to college.

 

I'm sure it could be done, but I think its WAY too much work, let alone not knowing for sure if it is going to operate correctly. I would hate to see you do all this work and have it not work when you need it, or worse- cause more injury due to the components not being matched to the car.

I would hate to see something happen when the airbag caused more injury in an accident and then have your insurance not cover anything since it was all 'modified' stuff. Dealing with injuries is bad enough, then get kicked when you are down by the insurance company.

I say leave the 283 in there while she is college. If its running halfway decent it will be more than enough car for a kid still in HS.

 

Excellent answer by Procharged94Lt1. The system is engineered for a specific vehicle.