Changing an SRS steering wheel to a Non-SRS wheel

[TimmyBigHands]

So, I want to put a different steering wheel onto my SRS equiped car, but have a coupla questions before I get in too deep.

Is the hub size and spline count the same on E30/E36's and SRS/non-SRS cars? In other words: since I have an SRS E30, can I fit ANY wheel I want onto my car beit from an E30 M, or an E36, without airbags on the new wheel?

If they do, how do I disable all my SRS stuff? Light, sensors, etc...

[hamann318is]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1508&highlight=air+bag+steering+wheel

I'm doing the same someday.

[TimmyBigHands]

Great, thanks man. LMK how your install goes, I cant decide on what wheel looks best.

[grlaneriejr]

Before you do this, check you local laws. In most states, it is ILLEGAL and will cause you all kinds o fgrief when you get it inspected.

Just a suggestion.

[hamann318is]

Before you do this, check you local laws. In most states, it is ILLEGAL and will cause you all kinds o fgrief when you get it inspected.

Just a suggestion.

I'd feel way safer in a car w/o a 13 year old air bag that uses phosporus to explode the bag. I don't want chemical burns.

[grlaneriejr]

Safety has nothing to do with what I said. I personally feel safer without an airbag (I've seen them really hurt people that extract accident victims).

What I'm talking about is LAW. In most states, if your car came equipped with an airbag, it is illegal to remove it. Don't modify your car, then have to change it back because you can't get it inspected. It's not worth it, and it gives car modifiers a bad reputation.

Fix up your car as you want it, but KEEP IT LEGAL.

[TimmyBigHands]

Okay, LEGAL.

I'm full of questions :D

Will an SRS wheel from any other car fit my E30? Are the plugs for the airbag the same on all the cars? How about the resistance that is put out electrically, is that the same, or will the bags not work? If it wont be a WORKING srs wheel, at least if I get inspected it has the appearance of an SRS wheel

[grlaneriejr]

timmy, i just don't know about all of that.

let me make a suggestion, go down to your local dmv office and ask them if you can change airbag wheels with other airbag wheels. if they say yes, go for it and don't worry about hooking it up if that's what you want to do.

i just had a thought, check your local laws about disconnecting the airbag. some states have a waiver for driver's size. maybe you can get away with it if you're too short or too tall.

remember, airbags were designed for people between 5'6" and 5'9", so some states are making waivers if it won't work properly.

[James Crivellone]

Illegal or not, there is no way any E30 I would own would keep its airbag. Most of my friends have disabled/unplugged and removed the damn thing.


For Inspection just keep the wheel, and put it back.

The E30 in the start was never designed for an airbag, and its kind of ghettorigged into the car IMHO. Plus i have seen/heard the e30 airbag deploy, and there is NOTHING that will convince me to keep it in the car.


Airbags suck, I don't trust them 1996 and older, first gen sucks

[hamann318is]

Illegal or not, there is no way any E30 I would own would keep its airbag. Most of my friends have disabled/unplugged and removed the damn thing.


For Inspection just keep the wheel, and put it back.

The E30 in the start was never designed for an airbag, and its kind of ghettorigged into the car IMHO. Plus i have seen/heard the e30 airbag deploy, and there is NOTHING that will convince me to keep it in the car.


Airbags suck, I don't trust them 1996 and older, first gen sucks

Exactly. I just need to find a M-tec I wheel, and that shit is GONE.

1st Gen bags... NO!

[TimmyBigHands]

So I have mixed emotions from everyone on this?? Some say keep it because it's illegal, and some say it's gonna kill ya if it ever goes off. Well that's nice, but illegal or not I'm gonna change it.

All I really want to know is what other wheels will fit it that are BMW orignals?

[James Crivellone]

I have no Cat, thats illegal lol, modified emissions system, thats illegal, non DOT Approved headlights, bumpers, probably ride height, thats illegal.

Its your damn car, do what you want :-p

[grlaneriejr]

Guys, I am not trying to be a spoilsport or anything. It's just that IMHO, it doesn't make sense to change everything if you just have to change it back to stock once a year like I do. That's why I'm saying to check on your laws before you do anything like this.

I don't know about your states, but Louisiana inspects vehicles yearly. They even check stuff like steering wheel size, all lights working, horn etc. They don't check emission levels or anything like that, so it's kind of OK to mod your exhaust and other things. But if you'd take an airbag wheel off the car, it would have to be replaced first, so you have the cost of that PLUS the $500 fine for altering the SRS system.

Just make sure that what you do is ok is all I'm saying.

[h0lmes]

heh, Louisiana sucks. It makes more sense to inspect emmisions then steering wheel size and stuff, but thats just my opinion.

[parkerbink]

My car is regged in California (I live in Mexico) I have to get smogged every other year so no radical exhaust/intake mods, but they don't inspect anything else, but police do look for too radical lowering & window tint on the front windows.