EU/US FD ABS - 8 bit
JP 99+ FD ABS - 16 bit with EBD!!!!!!

How easy is it to interchange the ECUs

Thanks
Riccardo

 

I've curious about this as well. Is it simply an ecu change or are there more sensors that have to be changed as well?

 

what is the difference......advantage?

 

There's a MASSIVE difference - it would be damn near impossible to swap out to the newer system unless you had a complete parts car to draw from. I looked up the '95 ABS unit swap, and it's VERY different - major wiring changes and the like, and it's just a simple refinement of the existing system.

IMHO, it's just not worth it.

Dale

 

I'm takin mine out, I was just curious.

 

yeah but the 99 one is a BIG improvement over the 95 unit.... i was reading up on it a year or so ago, but lost motivation as it seemed very complicated. electronic braking distribution would be fantastic i think... and the rear wheels are supposed to operate independently on the 99 version.

i actually cant stand my current braking system... i have a 94, and it feels like it locks up WAYYYYY too soon, and the pedal just gets mushy and the brakes just suck... i absolutely do not like the ABS in our car (or maybe mine is just broken), but i wont take it out for safetly reasons.

in my miata i have the regular non-abs system, and the car is a BEAUTY to modulate.... i can feel the pads against the rotors through the pedal and it puts you right there... it really helps my braking ability. conversely, if the FD i feel like im a million miles away from the brake system and have very little FINE control over the brakes.... then the ******* just start locking up way before (i think) they need to. i dont know... i hate them.... but at the same time, ive ruined 800 dollars worth of a new set of toyo t1's in my miata with a freak out reflex and just jamming the brake pedal till lockup.... and once you are locked up and panicked its insanely hard to let off and start modulating the brakes. i ruined a brand new set of tires like that and almost got into a nice little accident... so i dont know, id rather have ABS than not. -heath

 

Locking up? The ABS should keep it FROM locking. Do you mean it just bites too hard at first?

I switch between my FD and miata (non-abs) often. After driving the FD for a while, the miata feels (comparitively) like it has a jammed cylinder or pedal... until I get used to it. I love the FD's brakes, though.

Dale, gotta link about the '95 ABS differences? I've had bad luck searching for that info. The only semi-hard evidence I have is the existance of different part numbers for the front calipers.

 

the differences are minimal for the 95 units.... i belive they were designed simpler, but as far as i know they have no performance benefits over the earlier type units. now the 99 brakes are a whole different stort... ill see if i can dig up the article on the 99 brakes.

sorry... when i said lock up in regards to the FD brakes i meant release (as in when the ABS kicks in). the problem isnt the initial bite... teh ABS just activates way before it seems that the wheels are going to lock up... making hard braking impossible as when i get on them they just start releasing and get all mushy. yeah, i agree the miata brakes are a little hard to get used to after driving the 7 for awhile... there isnt much movement for the miata brakes and it does give the feeling of being jammed or something... i guess im just really used to the crisp feel of the miata though as i drive it daily and have alot of fun with it. glad to see another 7 owner w/ a miata ... i really like both of the cars VERY MUCH in their own ways. -heath

 

I think the 99 is way superior to the previous ABS systems

 

An british or australian shop manual for the 99+ FD would have great info on this. Anyone have the 99+ manual?

 

I can't remember all the details on the '95 system. The big change was a much smaller ABS pump, but many of the lines are re-routed, the control system works a bit differently, etc.

I have the '95 service highlights book that outlines a lot of the changes.

Dale

 

Thanks for responding, Dale. It'd be interesting to cross reference part numbers to other models in Mazda's lineup at the time... see if they went to the newer system ('95) purely to consolidate inventory. No big deal, though -- I didn't mean to assign a reasearch project.

As for my '95, I can't say I've ever noticed the pedal get mushy. I've felt it vibrate when the ABS is doing its thing for legitimate reasons, like when going over an uneven road. But then again, I'm not auto crossing it. Are you running heavy-assed 19x10's all around, RotorMotor?

 

wait wait... they sold the 99+ cars in england and australia????? why are we buying 99 spec parts from exclusively japan then???

 

NOPE! stock rims and bridgestone s02's. maybe my fluid is due for a flush ...but the mushy pedal only happens when the ABS activates (and when it does it seems to come on wayyyy to early). i guess no one else has this problem then? i could swap out my extra ABS unit (its from my 93 project car... dont know if its the same as the 94 unit) -heath

 

I would try the fluid first
Try Bendix Dot 5.1

 

stock ABS systems on mine do not even seem to work!!!~~ god damn~~~ and wow.... 16 bit... is a world of difference~~

 

Doesnt matter, as they are all the same cars (RHD). And there arent many of them, yet alone crashed ones for parts.

 

After troubleshooting my ABS system for quite some time I am very happy with the way it works, especially with new tyres (Bridgestone S-03), but I cannot but help thinking how superior the 16 bit ECU would be

 

ahh... quick question for you guys... (slightly off topic)... i have a 93 abs unit that has been kicking aruond for quite some time (and probably has some dirt/dust in the inlets/outlets by now. how can i effectively flush out aany debris? thanks

(ps it is out of hte car)

 

Any idea where we can get a 99 ABS unit ?
I have a friend (an eletronic engineer) who is probably willing to open it out and study it
I have 2x 93 units to play around with
So he might be able to work something out for us !
It will take time however

 

theres nothing to "work out" ... you need the 99 computer, wiring, and possibly sensors at the wheels if they are different (i bet the rears are). THEN, you can call your electrical engineer friend and see if there is a way to wire it into the stock harness... theres too much work involved