Steve, The only source for self-contained airbag systems that I know of comes from Breed. A quick Google search found their website at:
http://www.breedtech.com/products/air_bags.htm I recall reading an SAE paper on one of their systems that fits entirely in the steering wheel assembly. If I remember correctly, they used a mechanical sensor to detect collision. I don't know whether they would have an application suitable for your vehicle, but their website is probably the best place to continue your search. As an aside, I am a mechanical engineer and I investigate and reconstruct motor vehicle collisions for a living. I love my '66 El Camino, but I must confess that the safety aspects of the car are my one nagging concern. For instance, I may need to put in a collapsible steering column. I remember one case where the steering wheel of a mid-sixties full-sized Chev wound up in the rear seat after a substantial frontal impact, much to the detriment of the driver. Drive safely! Regards, Tim Moebes -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Chevelle 69 Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 10:45 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Chevelle-List] Anti-lock brakes & air bags in Chevelles While admittedly I don't plan on driving my Chevelle on ice, I will probably get caught in a rainstorm sooner or later on a road trip. I am convinced that anti-lock brakes saved our lives once. That's enough to make me think about putting them on my Chevelle if it's possible. I already have the tall spindles from a 94 Caprice that's going on my car to improve handling and braking. They have anti-lock sensors attached I believe. Why not make them work? While part of the charms of these cars is the "simple ness" compared to today's cars, I don't plan on staying stock. I can easily modify my Chevelle, and plan on doing so in many ways to improve over 69 factory specs. This car gives me the opportunity to have the best of both worlds and I get to decide what parts and options are the best. It kind of gets back to what we felt when we first drove muscle cars in the 60's. Freedom, power, mobility. But just because I will have that power and freedom, that doesn't mean safety shouldn't be an prime consideration. It may not have been then with me then, but I have wised up a bit. Safety should be considered even more so with having fewer safety features from the factory than cars of today. When you add to that mixture mucho ponies under the hood, temptation sometimes gets the best of you. Probably more so than when driving the family van, which is much safer to drive. So, since I am doing modifications, why not consider putting in anti-lock brakes and possibly air bags... If there is a way. Thanks for the info and comments Dave! You do make some valid points there. Steve -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Dave Studly Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 5:51 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Chevelle-List] Anti-lock brakes & air bags in Chevelles Umm.. the lack of anti-lock brakes and airbags (and the required electronics and added complexity) are part of the appeal of my Chevelle. Why would I want to retro-fit that?? Having worked for TRW (a major manufacturer of airbags for the OEM), I can say that these are highly-engineered systems designed and made for specific vehicles. You are going to face an uphill battle ALL the way in trying to retrofit. Even if you could find all the parts and mock them up in a way that it LOOKS like it would work, how would you test it? When an airbag goes off, make no mistake -- it's an explosion happening right in front of your face. This is not a do-it-yourself project, IMO. I don't want to be a nay-sayer and say that it CAN'T be done, but just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should. A fraction of the money could be spent on a 5 point harness (or two, to include the passenger seat). Anti-lock brakes might be easier to accomplish. I remember seeing an ad in the back of Hot Rod or Craft for years in the 90s that touted Anti-lock brake upgrades for older cars. I can't remember the name of the company, though. If you can find some of those issues, flip through the ads towards the back. They used to advertise a lot -- I believe the ad had a big outline or silhouette of a master cylinder. I've been on the list pretty much since the beginning, back in '96 and I think you're the first person to ask about air bags and anti-lock brakes, so I don't think too many people are doing this stuff. If you do proceed, make sure to send some posts describing how you did it. I'm sure back in the mid-80s, people might thought you'd be crazy to swap an EFI engine into a Chevelle, too. :-) -Dave -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Chevelle 69 Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 12:45 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Chevelle-List] Anti-lock brakes & air bags in Chevelles Has anyone found a web site when I can research how to get anti-lock brakes and air bags to work in a Chevelle that don't have the full blown computer? I might be able to figure out a way to do it if I can get my hands on some info to start with. Anyone else done this already and got them to work? Steve ----------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
