ahperformance

here's the deal: before i got my 87 turbo ii non-abs, i used to borrow my bro's 97 accord for my trips from los angeles to santa barbara. when the roads are wet and i need to stop hard on occasion, my bro's abs gets the job done. in december, i took my fc (when it was raining on most roads) to santa barbara. about half way there on the freeway, i'm behind this lexus gs about 3-4 car-lenghts and suddenly she brakes hard. naturally, my non abs brakes locked, so i just swerved into the empty right lane (i love the precise steering) to avoid the gs. i want abs now because maybe sometime in the future, i wont have an empty lane that will bail me out.

Can i convert my non-abs 1987 turbo ii rx-7 into one with abs? if so, how?

i don't mind the weight drawbacks and all, and i don't plan on drifting. i just like how my fc can put those wanabe fast-n-the-furious hondas in their place when they rev on me.

hIGGI

iTrader: (7)

yes, it could be converted, but its lot of work

ahperformance

what do i parts do i need?

ahperformance

oops. what parts do i need? and where do i get them?

bingoboy

i have heard through the grapevine that people relying on FC ABS will end up being sorry in the end. the ABS on these old buckets doesn't really perform as it should (in comparison to newer cars) the car's stop fine without it. learn to use some threshold braking and stop stomping on the pedal and all will be well.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Actually the system on the RX 7 is fairly sophisticated and reacts quite quickly. Much more sensitive then the GM cars of the 90's.
Converting to ABS would be a royal pain, if not almost impossible and very costly. Your better off buying one with ABS.
Don't believe the non abs spindles, hub assemblies even have the "hole" for the sensors, so that would all need to be changed, along with the sensor rings and all the wiring, etc.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Why would you ever want to do this? You can stop faster with proper braking technique then with ABS assistance...

Of course, I'm biased. ABS is one of the biggest pain-in-the-*** things I have ever experienced...

Josepi

It saved my *** (2nd week I had my TII) when some jackass decided he was going to pull a u turn in the middle of a two lane road that I JUST turned onto.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Well, then don't slam on the brake as your first instinct. Hard even braking is the way to go...

Josepi

lmao, i've learned since then...threshhold braking is the way to go.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Damn straight. I'm a crappy driver, and even I can threshold brake. Saved my *** more times then I can count.

andrew lohaus

sure thresold braking is good but sometimes abs will lead to greater stopping distance. a full lockup is almost always a faster way to stop on dry pavment (allbeit less controlled) i've had a few instances where i know i would have been in a reck WITH ABS because of this fact.

1SxyRXy

it seems like alot of work and money, you would need the main unit, hubs that hold ABS sensors, then you would need the sensors and wire them up, you would also nee the ABS computer, and i dont think the plug is in every car, seems like to much work and money.

CRXtoRX7

ive never heard the term "threshold braking," can someone give me a definition?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Give me a break! I can't believe I'm hearing all this that a non abs equiped car is better. I've had both '88 TII new w/o abs and '89TII new with abs. Haven't used it much, but let me tell you, in unfavorable conditions, dampness on the road, gravel, sand, if you drive in rain, snow, calipers not equal, there is no equal. In fact during a road test of a new RX7, back in '88, one of the complaints was that it didn't have abs and the right front was a liitle touchy and would lock up before the rest. How about in turns when less weight on one corner. How do you react to that through the pedal? Both my Grand Cherokees have it and I wouldn't want it any other way. They react great in the snow or inclement conditions.
To each their own.
As usual just my .02.

Audiofight

Just be careful where you get the ABS equipment from....the ABS pump especially.

They can run very, very high in price ($2500+).

Mazdatrix sells them for around that....dealership will most likely be more.

I have no problem stopping in my FC, even in bad conditions. It is called "defensive driving". Don't tailgate people on rainy days or go 60 mph down a loose, gravel road. These simple tips will keep you from hitting anyone in the future.

The ABS system will only help you if your tires are in good condition. ABS equipped vehicles with poor tires are the most unsafe vehicles on the road. So, if you convert, buy some new skin for the wheels.

Rx-7Addict

iTrader: (2)

this is very untrue. Sliding (locking up brakes) travels more distance than a tire being in full contact with the road (not sliding)

Shortest stops happen with ABS because they allow you to use the full brakes without them locking up.

smith88

I'm wanting to convert my car to non-ABS. I have ABS right now, and it kicks on when I'm sitting at red lights.

You can look at it as one less thing to go wrong on the car if you don't have it, or one more if you do. Right now it is one more thing that I want off my car. : )

All you should have to do is find a RX at a junkyard that still has ABS in it. Take out the brake lines, pump, and sensors. Maybe something electrical.

Then take off your brake lines and sell them to me. hehe

steviep_

ive seen comprehensive tests on tv and ABS doesnt help u stop faster it actually lengthens the distance it takes to fully stop, u just stay straight with ABS. Personally i hate it my truck has it and its terrible. And the roads are icy here 5 months of the year. Enough about this threshold braking, just learn to pump the brakes well and ur set.

Wanked_FC

iTrader: (1)

Why would you ever want to do that? My car came w/out abs, and I ripped out the fuse on my winter car. I can't stand ABS. I learned to drive in winter on bald tires w/ a 5000lb truck. If I can stop that, you don't need ABS to stop a 7.

2ndGen.rocket

ABS is for pussies. If you can't stop a car without ABS, you shouldn't be on the road. All it does is **** me off and make me feel like im not in control

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Very true.

Very not true. ABS rapidly pulses the brakes on and off. Even if it is at 90% duty cycle, it is still not equal to the 100% duty cycle you see when properly threshold braking. Studies have shown that while ABS allows inexperienced drivers to continue to maintain control over their vehicles, it actually increases stopping distance.

ahperformance

when going about 90-100mph, like i was on the wet road when i almost hit that gs, abs will perform better than threshold braking, which relies completely on the available traction to decelerate to a stop. on wet surfaces where traction is at a minimum, threshold will not perform as well as abs, especially when stopping hard from 100mph. i probably should just drive more conservatively on wet roads.

ahperformance

when going about 90-100mph, like i was on the wet road when i almost hit that gs, abs will perform better than threshold braking, which relies completely on the available traction to decelerate to a stop. on wet surfaces where traction is at a minimum, threshold will not perform as well as abs, especially when stopping hard from 100mph. i probably should just drive more conservatively on wet roads.

bingoboy

have you taken any physics classes at all? and also, driving 90-100 mph in the rain is just plain un-smart.