Retrofit side impact airbags

I know most of the modifications topics are regarding HP and handling, but I was wondering about upgrading safety devices. Yes many of you hate anything with a computer or an airbag so no need for the general airbag argument. If I bought a 1996 GTI could I put in seats and sensors out of a 98 or 99 GTI that had the side impact airbags in the seats? Or on a Focus, or E36? The side airbag option is the white whale I just can't seem to catch on the cheap cars I want to buy. Or would dropping in a LS1 just be easier.

Well, to put it bluntly, airbag systems are a bit more than just slapping them all over the car's interior... despite what it might look like... incorrectly placed and designed, and they could hurt a lot more than they would protect.

I've never done it, usually I tend to rip airbags out instead of adding more. But me thinks that this would be a huge PITA. The wiring, the bags, sensors, also the trim pieces would likely also be needed. Even at the most thrifty of salvage yards these parts would be pricey.

Probably be cheaper to put that money towards a later model that included them from the get-go. Will probably give you better piece of mind in case they are ever needed that you know they were installed right from the factory.

This is another one of those "If you have to ask, you can't do it"

Unless you have CAD data and FEA analysis of the car(s) in question, and a pretty good mechanical and electrical engineering background, its impossible to retrofit safely or effecitvely.

On top of that, I'd love to see what the insurance company has to say about it, pre- or post-accident.

Like everyone else said, side airbag cars are designed to deform in a collision with those airbags in mind. I don't know that you'd be making your car more dangerous in a side-impact crash, but you certainly wouldn't be making it more safe. You'll also have to retrofit ALL of the airbags and computers and wiring from the donor vehicle for ANY of them to work. You'll also need the correct ECU from the donor vehicle, since the airbag system needs to see vehicle speed and a few other things.

It would be much cheaper and far easier to simply buy a car with side airbags. Or you could not get t-boned...

Oh yeah, E36 side airbags are in the doors.

That's an excellent way to kill yourself in an accident. They crash these cars with dummies in them for a reason.