*sigh* Need Some Help/advice Guys..

[Rah]

Just as a foreword, i have posted this on NS.com but thought that seeing as i post and read on here i would post this up here as the more input/suggestions/idea's/advice the better. thanks.

alright here is my desperate situation, i had purchased a sil80 from a importers in melb, as i am a younger guy i got a loan off my parents and as a result was put into the situation that i needed to have an airbag in the car,

With my budget of 16k stretched beyond where it should be stretched i went to the importer and found an awesome sil80 which the importer agreed to convert to an auto, and install an airbag, now 3 and a half weeks down the track i'm still carless, and tonight i received a phone call from the owner of the import yard saying he didnt realise there was the computer component of an airbag, as in it wasnt just the steering wheel -__-"

and in his words meant that there was going to be "huge problems" as the 180 half of the sil80 is a 1990 model he said that finding the computer for the airbag was going to be impossible as they wherent offered on the 1990 model, i'm not sure what this means, and here is where you guys come in...

does it mean:

a) he is talking shit, and can easily find one from any other 180( i'm sure i've seen private sellers with like 93' models that isnt type x and is ca18 with air bags)

b ) he could find a type x 180 and put the ecu from that into my car (not sure of compatibility issues between type x and normal as i'm not sure if type x's are all sr20's etc) and if he could do that, would that solve the problem

c) there is no way to fix this problem and i should look for another car (if so, what car do you suggest given my requirements- auto and has an airbag with 16.5k), preferabley a turbo, otherwise i'd look at a series 2 r33 non turbo...or something along those lines...

sorry for this to be so drawn out and sound like i'm whinging, this whole thing about being so close to having my pride and joy, and then getting f**ked over right on the line has just left me thinking what the f**k do i do, so i figured you guys would probably have the best advice.

Cheers,

Dave

[Frank350GT]

for 16K , you can get very clean examples of Skyline R33 S2 with twin Airbags and Turbo and Auto.

I can not understand why you want to go to 180 with auto?????

[Rah]

i would have loved a s2 turbo skyline, but in Victoria they are illegal to drive on p plates, 180's are just under the power bracket, and with the new laws coming in i don't want to risk being carless and licenceless

[Frank350GT]

\\\Sorry Mate, I did't notice that you are in P's.

en..............

As I know VIC is different from NSW as Their rules is based on Power/weight ratio??

That Means a good power but heavier car may be OK for you?

[No Crust Racing]

A friend of mine is on his P's and drives a manual SII R33 without any drama's (been pulled over plenty). I was under the impression they were listed by Vicroads as being acceptable? I'd defintley be gviving them a call to confirm. 16k will get you a SII 33 in turbo/auto form.

Good luck.

[Rah]

yer it's without turning this thread into another high powered vehicle thread the r33 is over the power to weight ratio unfortunately, your mate may have just been lucky etc..otherwise that was my first choice without a doubt...

[VB-]

yes it is over the power to weight limit, but i know a few ppl who drive cars like that, and they have never been done for it.

just out of curiosity, which workshop is doing the work?

for 16k i would seriously look at a twin turbo/V8 soarer, or a non turbo supra

[Rah]

yer i was considering them, but then petrol prices...just figured a 4 cylinder, even being a turbo would be a better option than a big v8... i'd say the workshop, but it could be considered slander to the business which i don't want to do, and i think is against SAU's policy... =/ i think i've found away around the issue which is to get a harness and racing seat put in, which even though it being an auto i would like to do some track work in the future...

[Rah]

also there is the issue of not being able to have a valid insurance, sure you can get it, but they don't have to pay, and thats not a gauntlet i'm prepared to run, i also don't think its fair if i hit someone else/elses car...

[someonestolecc]

An airbag installed by some local mechanic who has N F I ? Sounds stupid to me.

If your parents are super over protective like they seem they are why not just buy a toyota echo or something?

No joke - you won't have such a thing as real sports car with an auto anyways.. it will use less fuel, have better resale, allow you to learn to drive and get a proper sports car later, be easier to park, not cost as much in insurance, being new have less chance of breaking, save you money by not have any cool upgrades, wont attract unwanted attention...... and realistically if your parents have this idea that you're too incompetent to drive a manual and require an auto and an airbag, maybe you should get a slower car?

[sillylankan]

why not purchase a nice R32 GTS-T, you could get a beauty for 16 grand mate, and they are legal to drive on your P's, if you are in Victoria.

[Link]

S14 came with airbags

Youd find a auto model fairly cheap too

[predator]

Tell your parents to get stuffed, as an airbag retrofitted probably won't work properly anyhow..

Besides which, it's not guaranteed to save your life anyhow.

[predator]

Tell your parents to get stuffed, as an airbag retrofitted probably won't work properly anyhow.. Besides which, it's not guaranteed to save your life anyhow.

Aren't there plenty of 180sx autos around anyhow? would have been 50 times more sensible to stick a silvia front end on one on a good price. I don't even know why you considered it in the first place to be honest..

weird, double post? lol

[d0p3y]

Retrofitting an airbag on a S13 is the stupidest crap I've heard all day.

As is converting it to auto.

Forget about it. Buy a Manual Turbo or nothing.

From the sounds of things you're better off with a Camry.

[sl33ek]

its cruel but i gotta agree with d0pey. Thats the dumbest thing I've heard all day - retrofitting and airbag and auto converion on an old sil.

Walk away from that importer now to save yourself a headache later on.

Scratch option A and B because it involves the importer looking for a bandaid fix, go option C look for another car

[braadz]

there is nothing wrong with refitting an air bag ....

[d0p3y]

there is nothing wrong with refitting an air bag ....

If the car was not originally designed and engineered to have an airbag it is an EXTREMELY STUPID idea.

How are you to be sure that the sensors will be the right sensitivity for that vehicle and designed to co-act accordingly with the crumple zones on that car?

How are you to be sure that the airbag will be fitted correctly in such a fashion that it will not be set off accidentally and cause severe injury (or death?)

How can you be sure that the retrofitted airbag will even add ANY safety in the event of an accident?? How can you be sure it will deploy in the event of an accident? How can you be sure it's not going to straight up hit the driver in the face and break their neck because it was not originally engineered to go with that vehicle?

I could go on all day.

An airbag does not just work on its own to add safety to a vehicle. Simply strapping one in won't make the car any safer.

Manufacturers put other factors into consideration when engineering their vehicles with airbags, attempting to retrofit one is more likely to cause injury than it is to save a life.

Edited January 17, 2007 by d0p3y

[braadz]

mate how ur talking is like saying

how can you be sure a bus wont hit you crossing the street tomorrow? you cant be sure of anything ever.

but if the job is done properly and fitted correctly, i dont see anything wrong with fitting an air bag.

it could save your life or it could not, but id rather it there, better to have it then not to.

[d0p3y]

mate how ur talking is like saying

how can you be sure a bus wont hit you crossing the street tomorrow? you cant be sure of anything ever.

but if the job is done properly and fitted correctly, i dont see anything wrong with fitting an air bag.

it could save your life or it could not, but id rather it there, better to have it then not to.

And as I said, if he's THAT concerned he should just go buy a Camry or something which already has airbags in it.