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is it possible to put abs on non abs cars??

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Old Feb 13, 2003 | 06:59 PM
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is it possible to put abs on non abs cars??

i have 2 87 rx-7 Gxl's one has abs one doesnt and the one that runs doesnt have the abs, can i add abs to my rx-7 or is it not possible?? also i have heard some people just simply take it off?? what are the advantages in not having abs??
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Old Feb 13, 2003 | 09:34 PM
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Yes.
It would be a lot of work.
The quality of the ABS, and it's complications make it seem IMO not a good idea.
It has been done a few times, and I've never heard of a satisfied swapper.
You might try for more opinions before you make a choice.
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Old Feb 13, 2003 | 11:56 PM
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You would need to swap entire body harnesses and some electronics (like the idiot lights), as well as refit sensors and brake lins and the like.

I can't see any advantage to not having ABS except for weight savings, or if something is broken in the ABS system, not having to repair it
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 01:07 AM
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don't you also need th "sensor rotor" behind the hubs?
lots of work, i hear that they have a tendency to leak.

prolly not worth the effort
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 01:16 AM
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uhmmm... WHY do you WANT the ABS anyway?
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 01:33 AM
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Abs helps with contoling the car under heavy breaking. otherwise its wheel lock.. Its helped me in the past. nice to have IMO.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:10 AM
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yea i want it cuz i just got mine running and ive never had a car without abs and the first thing i did was lock the brakes up and went right through a stop sign and almost to the fence infront of me, luckly no one was comingg but it sucks if your brakes lock up
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:13 AM
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Learn to brake properly?

Brakes work fine for me.... actually I can't stand ABS.... ***** with my braking...
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:22 AM
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Originally posted by Icemark


I can't see any advantage to not having ABS except for weight savings, or if something is broken in the ABS system, not having to repair it
How about replacement parts cost?
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:24 AM
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Yeah ABS does **** with my breaking a lot to however, over the years one should learn how to develop human ABS....learn it it is cool
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:26 AM
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Originally posted by Gefunk
Yeah ABS does **** with my breaking a lot to however, over the years one should learn how to develop human ABS....learn it it is cool
Exactly... learn the power of the foot!
Far superior to 13 year old ABS systems
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:26 AM
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....although I suppose my foot is 20 years old... lol...
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 08:31 AM
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over the years one should learn how to develop human ABS....learn it it is cool

haha that is an initial D line.

I don't have ABS and I don't need it. I have used my brakes hard a couple of times and did not lock. I went from 100 to like 65 in a couple of sec. and no lock. although when I was going like 25 and I turned into my house they locked. Funny and wierd thing.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 10:10 AM
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If people learned how to use the ABS; it would provide better stopping distances and more control than a non-ABS system with a "human ABS" computer.

Do you think that airplanes, big trucks, formula 1 race cars, and even a few FCs all have ABS, just so you can't stop as well.

Anyone short of a professional race car driver with 20 years of driving experience that thinks he (or she) can out-brake a ABS system is (IMO) smoking crack.

Either that or watching too many cartoons

Last edited by Icemark; Feb 14, 2003 at 10:12 AM.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 10:38 AM
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Hahaha, never really watched much initial D....is that what my avatar is from? A lot of people tell me it is. Anyway I can easily out stop my bro's talon with abs.....granted I have bigger breaks
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 11:18 AM
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I used to think ABS wasn't worth it until I drove a car in the snow with ABS. Quite impressive. No matter what I do with the non ABS brakes I can't keep one wheel from sliding while still hard braking the others. That's the advantage of ABS.

Sadly none my cars have ABS but I wish they did.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 11:42 AM
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Originally posted by Gefunk
granted I have bigger breaks
and mitsu brakes are generally undersized for thier cars anyway, just like Honda's and GMs
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 12:58 PM
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ABS is for family oriented cars; they do a great job. Familiarize yourself with the lockup point and just learn to 'threshold' brake with the non-abs set up.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 01:12 PM
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Originally posted by Icemark
If people learned how to use the ABS; it would provide better stopping distances and more control than a non-ABS system with a "human ABS" computer.

Do you think that airplanes, big trucks, formula 1 race cars, and even a few FCs all have ABS, just so you can't stop as well.

Anyone short of a professional race car driver with 20 years of driving experience that thinks he (or she) can out-brake a ABS system is (IMO) smoking crack.

Either that or watching too many cartoons
I agree that in some situations, ABS can significantly shorten stopping distance. However, older ABS systems were always questionable to me. For me it is primarily a matter of feel, I like to know exactly where the threshold is, and I feel I can more safely guide the car through corners without ABS because there is no unpredictable element on my side. With the ABS you end up questioning whether its going to engage as you brake hard into a corner. I like the predictability of no ABS.

I do believe that in something like straight line braking on a dry road, a driver could out brake the ABS.... but in other situations the ABS wins out...

....but it's never gonna be my taste....
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 05:34 PM
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Originally posted by Icemark


Anyone................ that thinks he (or she) can out-brake a ABS system is (IMO) smoking crack.

I think you could edit your statement to be about a quality anti-skid braking system in good condition.
The RX-7 unit is marginal to begin with, and tends to not be well maintained.
It's parts are 'pricey' and most people don't understand how to service it correctly.
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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 05:42 PM
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i like ABS when on ice and snow but I just don't think it will be overall worth all the effort to put the above mentioned 13yr old ABS system on the car. just too much work.
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 12:45 AM
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Originally posted by 'Vert in Vegas
I think you could edit your statement to be about a quality anti-skid braking system in good condition.
Yes that is a given... anything dealing with the brakes should be in tip top condition. I would never want to drive a car that the condition of the brakes was not more important than the engine condition.
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