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This Camaro ZL1’s Airbags Deploy Due To The Sheer Volume Of Its Exhaust: Video

How will this affect my car’s safety systems? is probably not a question that the average gearhead ponders while plotting out their next vehicle mod, but if we are to learn anything from the video above, it’s that this is definitely worthy of consideration.

YouTuber “GuitarmageddonZL1” just installed a pair of electronic exhaust diverters on his Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which allow the exhaust gases from the car’s 650-horsepower, 6.2-liter LT4 to be diverted away from the mufflers at the push of a button. It’s a fairly simple modification, requiring just a couple of quick cuts on the factory exhaust system and some basic wiring, which allows the driver to open up the exhaust each time he feels he hasn’t been quite loud enough.

GuitarmageddonZL1’s install went smoothly, and the system functioned exactly as advertised. That is, right up until the exhaust got so monstrously loud during some spirited driving that it triggered the side-airbag sensors, causing them to deploy without warning while the ZL1 was traveling at a brisk 140 miles per hour. The look on his face is priceless.

At the end, the YouTuber and his mechanic conclude that one or both side-airbag sensors were tripped because of their proximity to the diverter outlets. We can’t imagine a worse car to experience this in, as the Camaro‘s notoriously bad rear visibility, coupled with the obstruction of the side windows, mean that the driver was essentially flying blind.

On the other hand, that just sort of makes it funnier.

Check out GuitarmageddonZL1’s unfortunate run-in with his brand-new exhaust diverter kit above.

Aaron Brzozowski is a writer and motoring enthusiast from Detroit with an affinity for '80s German steel. He is not active on the Twitter these days, but you may send him a courier pigeon.

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Comments

  1. Well, at least he was cool about it and didn’t try to blame anyone but himself…haha

    Reply
  2. I bet its less of the noise and more of the shock of the G-Forces

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  3. I wonder if his ins company will pay for that.

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    1. Many companies will cancel him out if they see a roll cage.

      Reply
  4. That looked like a whole lot of fun.

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  5. Note: this young dude lives near me and he “” owns 2 ZL1’s””, .. yepper TWO. The one in the video and also a 2017, red, automatic. Nice to be young, sorta crazy, slightly dumb about lifes long haul needs, and just enjoying the moment. We all have been there in some form at some time. …… just information, EEH.

    Reply
  6. I have a question or two. Doesn’t the timing change significantly if the exhaust system is removed? And will the Camaro’s computer be able to compensate enough for that change in the timing so that he doesn’t ruin the engine?

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    1. Engine timing has nothing to do with the exhaust. The computer can adapt to the changes in back pressure.

      I wonder if he removed the cats?

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      1. If engine timing has nothing to do with the exhaust, then what is the computer specifically doing to adapt to changes in backpressure?

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        1. Since an engine is a pump, reduced back pressure causes an increase in air flow. Therefore, more fuel is needed to maintain correct A/F mixture.

          Reply
  7. This car runs 8’s now… Your viewing of the video on YouTube helped make that happen… His day job in a steel mill bought him the responsible things like a house and a dog.

    Reply

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