ADR clarification - Airbags

[The 2nd Womble]

I'm concidering a VX steering wheel:

The spline and as a result the steering wheel skeletin will need a modification and engineers approval, but I know two who have had this done so that shouldn't be an issue.
What I never thought about was the airbag itself. Provided the wheel is passed and all is well, from how I interpret the ADR's, the steering column unmodified as well as the airbag unit unmodified - it is actually plug and play with the TS Astra comnector AND the squib fits the TS column - both comply with ADR 10/69/73 (which ever applied to the vehicles when new) then it breaks no rules?

Warning: This is an Old Thread This discussion is older than 120 days. information contained in it may no longer be current . Please think of the children before resurrecting this ancient thread!

[hazrd]

Why dont you just buy a commodore?

On a serious note, if it can be engineered and passes, I cant see a problem. However im not sure how the TS airbag loom will hook up to the VX steering wheel, or even how that would be tested?

If you can get it to work and pass no worries, then kudos indeed!

[DJM83]

Thats a VY steering wheel, just so you know.

I cannot fathom why it would be worth the effort

[The 2nd Womble]

Well the airbag electrical plugs on both are identical, the squib does fit, and it all sits where it should on the column spline. Heres the ADR excerpts I'm referring to

ADR 10—Steering Column

The function of this Australian Design Rule is to minimise crushing or penetrating injuries to drivers due to the ‘Steering Column’ as a result of frontal impact.

And both airbag units - separate from the function of the steering column - comply with ADR's 69 and 73:

ADR 69—Full Frontal Impact Occupant Protection

The function of this Australian Design Rule is to specify vehicle crashworthiness requirements in terms of forces and accelerations measured on anthropomorphic dummies in outboard front seating positions in full frontal test crashes so as to minimise the likelihood of injury to occupants of those seating positions.

ADR 73—Offset Frontal Impact Occupant Protection

The function of this Australian Design Rule is to specify crash worthiness requirements in terms of forces and accelerations measured by anthropomorphic dummies so as to minimise the likelihood of injury to the occupants in offset frontal impacts.

[The 2nd Womble]

Thats a VY steering wheel, just so you know.

I cannot fathom why it would be worth the effort

Because I strongly dislike the TS wheel, the Commodore job is alot more comfortable and better looking, and this is car modding

[guy 27]

no issues with what you're doing here legally as long as the airbag is still functional.

honestly though maybe look at an astra turbo styled steering wheel or even wiring in an astra AH steering wheel. both are a much nicer and aesthetically pleasing compared to the commodore one.

[DJM83]

Because I strongly dislike the TS wheel, the Commodore job is alot more comfortable and better looking, and this is car modding

Yeah agreed, but IMHO the money could be better spent though.

[The 2nd Womble]

How to get around the CANBUS though?

[Nurb608]

In all honesty, cant see it passing. There is a reason the VXR still has an Opel badge on it and not a HSV badge

Yes anything is possible, and i'm sure you can find someone to sign off on it, but it's an airbag, not something id **** with.

[The 2nd Womble]

I've also learned after reading a few pommy posts lately that a 2.25" exhaust systrm robs the 1.8 of any low to mid range torque, so theres at least $1500 not wasted. I can justify it to myself. My wife is another story.