Question about upgrading the fd steering wheel
 

I know that alot of people have installed airbag steering wheels from later model FDs and even other Mazdas but my question is does anyone have proof of an airbag deploying after making the change.

I would like to change the ugly stock wheel but I wonder whether the upgrades are actual compatible?

I know that the speed of airbag inflation has increased over the years and therefore are the newer wheels still compatible with our old sensors etc?

Does anyone know the lifespan of an airbag? I even question the efficiency of the 16 year old bomb in front of my face. Maybe it is safer to just take it out?

Any engineering wisdom will be appreciated.

Just install a nardi and be done.. Has a air bag...

Dom, I would like to but I want to know that it will work properly first. Airbags scare me.

Obviously it works, mine does :)

My upgrade to a 99 nardi went fine, the airbag light does go out. So the resistance is within spec of the stock airbag. I have not had the pleasure of it being deployed yet. Testing would be an expensive thing to say the least...

Dom, just because it is installed doesn't mean it works. You will not know whether it works until you are in a collision and it deploys.

Exactly, which is why it would be great learn from someone's unfortunate experience.

Could you fit your OE airbag in the new steering wheel?

Thats an interesting proposition. You mean strip the airbag from the middle piece and try to install that into the new steering wheel? The problem is that messing with your air bag is REALLY dangerous. Don't want it going of in your face. I bet you could be held liable if something goes wrong to.

I've researched the steering wheel conversion quite a bit and I believe there is a write up of mine on the forum in regards to the installation. In everything that I have read/done/seen I have never seen anyone that has completed the conversion wreck their car to verify whether the airbag works or not. As already stated above, the air bag light does not come on so we all assume it will work. That is really the only evidence we have to support that it works though. The way I see it, I'd either have this wheel or an aftermarket "racing style wheel". Worst case scenerio, I'd rather smash my face into the somewhat cushioned wheel opposed to the hard metal wheel. As far as air bag deployment speed, it should not have any effect if you switch a newer RX-7 air bag in. The only thing that you are removing is the airbag... which simply deploys when it receives the signal to.

It's an OEM airbag, be it USDM or JDM. I don't really see what the debate is......

There are only two wires going to the airbag (+ and -) so if the circuitry delivers current it should deploy.

The only issue is whether the US circuitry delivers the correct triggering current to the Nardi airbag. The factory wiring diagrams do not provide enough information to determine.

Agreed. Besides, who wants an airbag? I'd much prefer an actual racing wheel. Airbag deployment is messy and sometimes makes you worse off.

The oem nardi wheel is great! The difference between that and the stock wheel is quite noticeable. It made the car *feel* 500lbs lighter, the car just seemed more agile and more responsive. This is whether you have the 99,2002 or spirit-r nardi, and I just happen to know someone with a super sweet spirit-r nardi currently for sale in the for sale section :) I am currently writing a tutorial on how to install the nardi wheel, should be done in the next day or two, I just made a quick thread about a wiring question.

Messy? The powder released in a deployment is actually talcum power. I quick spin in a washing machine and your sweater should be as good as new. Cleaning your brains off the dash might be a bit more of a challenge.

I really wish people would stop making this disingenuous argument. The statistics are pretty easy to find:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbag#...ity_statistics

With modern two-stage airbags and seat sensors (and consumer education) the current difference between the good and bad effects of airbags is likely to be even more significant that the statistics above would indicate.

Don't get in an accident :D

So I guess that means you need to make a leap of faith. I'm not good at that. Thanks for your help.

I don't care much for airbag'd steering wheels.

My oem wheel didn't have an airbag, my Nardi doesn't have one.

I believe we have single stage airbags, none the less, I agree that airbags having an air bag out weighs no air bag. Ohh I don't know if we have seatbelt sensors either.

What about the cruise control buttons on the nardi? are they there?

It is not a disingenuous argument. I firmly believe that airbags offer almost nothing in the way of protection in a major accident. I've worked in defense firms and with accident reconstruction engineers. The ONLY thing that will save your ass in a crash is your seatbelt. A full harness is better.

Terms to look up: Kinetics, Biomechanics

Airbags do add some safety but nothing near as much as a harness.

Hey memphis, I forgot, did I thank you for helping me out yet? If not thanks.

Scrappy I don't think you will have a problem installing a nardi wheel. If your worried, get someone who is more qualified to do it. Let us end this madness.

No problem man. Glad I could help.