Antilock Brakes advantages disadvantages

[bronze93]

I'm picking up a 94 GTP parts car this weekend that has ABS. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the ABS? Is it worth the time spent to transfer over to the car I have now?

[AliasCT]

I'm pretty sure on this car the ABS only controls the brakes while actual braking (as opposed to modern cars with some sort of traction control). ABS is meant to allow you to max brake (what would have resulted in locking your tires on a non-abs car and loss of steering control) and steer your car clear of trouble. It doesn't necessarially help you brake *faster* or stop quicker.

[Z34guy]

I'm pretty sure on this car the ABS only controls the brakes while actual braking (as opposed to modern cars with some sort of traction control). ABS is meant to allow you to max brake (what would have resulted in locking your tires on a non-abs car and loss of steering control) and steer your car clear of trouble. It doesn't necessarially help you brake *faster* or stop quicker.

[video=youtube;LsJeWar41nA]

I can't count how many times I've thanked my ABS. especially that emergency lane change.

Edited August 10, 2011 by Z34guy

[BXX]

The ABS, even when working perfectly on our cars is a complete joke:lol:

 

 

Prolly one of the worst functioning ABS systems that I have ever experienced in a car, right next to Dodge's old RWABS on their Dakota/Rams

[bronze93]

I don't think that video proves anything. On the back stretch when he locks up the non abs car it appears that he didn't turn the steering wheel to shift into the other lane. I could be wrong but that's what it looked like to me.

[Andrew]

dont waste your time.

[Night Fury]

ABS is very useful. Although I wouldn't switch the whole system over.

[white4d96]

GM ABS is the biggest pile of shit ever.

[BXX]

GM ABS is the biggest pile of shit ever.

 

My feelings exactly.

 

The new GM ABS system seems to work damn well.

[tornado_735]

Prolly one of the worst functioning ABS systems that I have ever experienced in a car, right next to Dodge's old RWABS on their Dakota/Rams

 

Don't forget, Ford had Rear-Only ABS on their 1994+ F-Series trucks and the Aerostar!

 

The only good thing I can say about it was that it kept me from rolling my 1995 Aerostar back in 2007. I shit stomped the brakes trying to avoid hitting a dog once night (I failed), and while the rears were not locked, the fronts locked solid, sending me straight for a culvert in the ditch, flat spotting the piss out of my tires in the process. I managed to regain control, but DAMN was it scary for a minute.

 

And to the OP, it's not worth the hassle to switch it all over. It would require switching all the non-abs hubs with hubs that had wheelspeed sensors, not to mention running all of the wiring, and something might even need to be done to the ECM (Bxx can correct me here). Not worth the PITA.

[jman093]

GM ABS is the biggest pile of shit ever.

 

The Delco-VI system on Gen 1's and Gen 1.5's, yes it is. Bob calling it a joke is putting it nicely. It's downright dangerous in my opinion. It'll keep the car in a straight line, but it's detrimental to stopping distances. I rip out the ABS relay before I autocross or it would be a disaster out there. I have no idea how well Delco PM3 works when it actually does work, and Delphi DBC-7 works well.

 

I've always thought it would be cool to try and convert a gen 1 over to the Bosch 5.3 system used on early-gen 2nd gen cars (except 97 GP's which were still Delco-VI). Delphi DBC-7 from the later-gen 2nd gens looks very reliant on the vehicle's Class 2 bus network, so it wouldn't work on a car not originally built with it on the bus. Bosch 5.3 is basically stand-alone though on 2nd gens.

Edited August 11, 2011 by jman093

[Night Fury]

I absolutely love pedal feel when activated in the mid-90's gm abs systems, And it DID work to keep direction, but I'll agree that stopping distances suffered GREATLY. ABS in my 04 is a bit too touchy, and I hate the pedal feel when activated, but it works great.

[GnatGoSplat]

I've always thought it would be cool to try and convert a gen 1 over to the Bosch 5.3 system used on early-gen 2nd gen cars (except 97 GP's which were still Delco-VI). Delphi DBC-7 from the later-gen 2nd gens looks very reliant on the vehicle's Class 2 bus network, so it wouldn't work on a car not originally built with it on the bus. Bosch 5.3 is basically stand-alone though on 2nd gens.

 

If you ever want to try it, PM me as I have both Bosch 5.3 and DBC-7 units. No lines or harnesses though.