Strelok

Hi all.
So I am a 17 year old looking to buy my first 944 sometime this year. Of course, being that my parents are, well, parents, there's no way in hell they will let me buy a car that lacks airbags. As you all know, airbags were not available on the 944 until 87, and even then they were options, unless you bought a Turbo or S2. After many hours of searching, I have yet to come across even one NA with airbags. Of course there are plenty of S2's and Turbo's available, but working 8 hours a week making $8.95 an hour does not put me in the ballpark for a high end 944... So here's my question. Would it be possible to retrofit airbags to an NA 944? If it is possible, could it only be 87+ cars, or could it be done to any year? I saw this on craigslist and it made me wonder: http://orlando.craigslist.org/pts/1201321747.html At first it seems like an easy job, but aren't there sensors placed all throughout the car? I realize this is a slightly ridiculous request, but at least I'm not trying to turbocharge an NA...
Thanks in advance!

ejsaenz

I don't know about retrofitting and the liabilities involved but there is an airbag jacket. If you can't afford a higher end 944 at your wages, I don't know if you'll be able to affort the maintenance and care of one either. I know I've spent about $5000 in maintenance costs on my car since I've owned it these few 3 years.

Clutch and while you're there work $3000
Brakes about $600 parts alone
Steering system $300 with refurbished parts and my own labor
Timing belt and while you're there work $1000
Tires +$400 per year (I'm kinda hard on them, bad roads)
Wheel alignment $150
etc......


http://www.mashgate.com/

Erzengal

/second the you don't really want a 944. Can get expensive fast.

Also, I would NOT recommend playing with Airbags. They are dangerous enough normally, I couldn't fathom feeling safe with something "retrofitted".

PS: I love having no Airbags or ABS!! The Less crap the better!

Strelok

Oh trust me I know allll about the maintenance on these cars and yes, I can afford it as I already have some money put away. I make plenty more than 5000 in three years. Plus I'll make sure only to buy a well sorted one. As for the jacket - I really don't think I would want to wear that every time I drove lol. I know buying a 944 as a teenager is iffy, but please, I've heard that a million times and have made my decision. I'm looking for advice on the airbags, not on what car I should buy.

Rock

Youre going to need:

An airbag dash
An airbag car glove box
An airbag steering wheel
Passenger side airbag
The airbag control unit
A harness for the airbags, and there will be splicing involved even if you get it (the airbag module is wired with the fuel pump, to shut off the fuel pump in the event the airbags are deployed)
Airbag crash sensors

Youre betting off buying a turbo shell and transplanting an N/a engine in it. There is no simple answer for this one.

Strelok

Thank you Rock. That was the answer I was looking for. That E36 325i is looking better and better every day...

Rock

Where are you located? Ive got a E38 sitting here for sale

PorscheDude1

Rock send me some info on the E38 when you get a chance.

Mello

Tell the parents you'll drive with a 5-point harness and helmet everywhere instead.

choinga

Do you really want to spend all the money you've saved keeping up a 23+ year old car??

You're 17 - buy a 7 year old Corolla or something and save your money for college. There will be plenty of opportunties to own a car like this and trust me, they are a helluva lot more fun when you aren't so paranoid about having to spend $300 here and $500 there. These cars don't like it when you cheap out on them...

Strelok

I absolutely want to use the money I've saved up to upkeep a 23 year old car. That's the whole purpose of it. Sports cars are my passion. I have scholarships for college. But, as I said, I'm also seriously considering a 325i which would be cheap in comparison to a 944.
Rock - thanks for the offer, but I highly doubt it's in my price range. I'm spending $6,000 max. I've yet to find any E38's for that price.

Rock

Got me E38 740IL for 1000 dollars from a kid who thought the engine blew (just needed 02 sensors)

My other E38, Black 740I, got for free. 200K on the engine, but the interior is beautiful. The headliner has been done, all of the maintenance has been done on the engine. Runs great. Was my little brother, but he paid 2400 from a guy who couldnt afford to pay for the service himself. Might let this one go for 3-4K. Have 2 sets of rims for this guy, both with good tires.

/Sorry to hijack

CurtP

Why even worry about an airbag system? How did mankind survive all those years before cars had airbags?! I ripped the airbag system out of my '87 951.

That being said, it wouldn't be hard to retrofit one. The system in the 951 is pretty unique - it's a stand-alone system with minimal integration into the car. The hard part of it will be getting to the studs to mount the two sensors and if the wiring harness has the connector for the airbag module. If the 944 uses the same body shell as the 951, then an '87+ 944 should already have the studs in place for the sensors and the controller. Finding good parts may be difficult.

I thought I read that all '87+ 944 had airbags available as an option.

Personally, I think you're better off making sure you wear your seatbelt and participate in driving classes/DE. Money better spent, IMO.

Rock

Well said. I think I trust a 951's airbag system about as much as I trust a chocolate teapot. The last thing I want to happen to me in a wreck is a big 20 year old bag exploding in my face spraying grandmas talcum powder in my eyes.

dillon410021

exactly, I could care less about the airbags since you don't really know if they will go off in this 22 year old car. Also, I love having no abs for the winter. You just have to let go off the brakes when you want to turn.