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ABS brakes on '72 chevelle?

11K views 20 replies 8 participants last post by  akorcovelos 
#1 ·
I've been searching around the web and this site to see if anyone has retrofitted an abs braking system to an A body?

Seems like a simple concept since many abs systems are stand alone and have their own controller.
 
#2 ·
Personally, I'll just pump the brakes. :D These systems can be pretty complex, I would think long and hard before I dove into something like that.

Brian
 
#3 ·
Not all that complex in theory, just some trigger rings for the hubs, sensors mounted to the spindles, and a controller. Probably need the master from the donor car also. Was just wondering if anyone has looked into this in the past? I can't be the first person to want to do this.
 
#4 ·
All I am saying is it's another thing to go wrong. Can it be done, sure. Putting tone rings on the front hubs is going to be just one hurtle to overcome.

Brian
 
#6 ·
It's been proven over and over a non abs car can be stopped in a shorter distance than an abs unit. An abs system ads another failure point. I don't understand why someone would want to do this if they know the consequences. I'm sure it can be done, but I'd rather talk you out of it as I feel that's more helpful.
 
#7 ·
KMatch said:
It's been proven over and over a non abs car can be stopped in a shorter distance than an abs unit. An abs system ads another failure point. I don't understand why someone would want to do this if they know the consequences. I'm sure it can be done, but I'd rather talk you out of it as I feel that's more helpful.
Who did that proof testing? I've heard that old saw time and again but have yet to see any technical paper that says that beyond hearsay/someone's seat of the pants.

Give me REAL links with REAL tests by proven experts and make me change MY mind.

Dave W
 
#8 ·
Yeah, I drive a road race car and can say from experience that unless you are a top tier professional race driver your not going to out brake a modern abs system. I sure can't which is why my track car still runs abs.

Other than trying to talk me out of giving this a shot does anyo e have any info that may help me out?

I found an abs retrofit kit for 4x4 trucks that have been converted from ifs to solid front axle, but the kit is intended for vehicles that cake with abs to begin with so only the tone rings and sensors/brackets are included, no controller or harness.

Still leaning towards finding a donor car and pulling the whole system and trying to fit it to the velle.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Irelands child said:
Who did that proof testing? I've heard that old saw time and again but have yet to see any technical paper that says that beyond hearsay/someone's seat of the pants.

Give me REAL links with REAL tests by proven experts and make me change MY mind.

Dave W
My experience came straight from GM from training over the years required in my line of work. Good enough for me, plus personal experience with both as I can match the results. Maybe others don't have the reflexes and need help? I can't speak for everybody. It really doesn't matter to me if you're convinced or not as my stuff stops and I don't feel the need to dig deeper to prove anything - it's simply information.

As an add-on, it only takes about 10 seconds to find http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2006/08/killer-abs-abs-braking-increases-rollover-risk-by-51/ . Naturally, you can find anything to counter anything on the net, but these results back up my personal training in 30 years of experience. ABS might help someone less capable (granny and the general public tend to fit this) but most serious racers have better real world feedback than a computer. Again, take it or leave it - it makes NO difference to me.
 
#14 ·
I don't doubt for a second that it works better but my point is, what are your driving habits? I personally allow a LOT of room, I have learned that pushing it doesn't get you there any faster, not in traffic at least. On a windy road do I open it up a little, heck yeah but I don't go over the limit. I have, and I have paid for it and that was that. I have said it before, the bodyshop where I work is STILL full of cars everyday, nearly every one of them have ABS brakes, yet they are still in a body shop, why? Because it is the driving habits of the average driver and they now push it even further than before because the car handles and stops so well. Where once they gave thirty feet room, now it's ten. And because of that they STILL hit stuff.

By the way, I really appreciate it, it puts food on my table. :thumbup:

Brian
 
#16 ·
ABS on the track will probably never be a big item... if youve got good brakes and you a somewheat talented driver you will probably do better than an ABS car... especially on clean track conditions. In fact we particpated in a shootout here not long ago and what I can tell you is that our 66 Chevelle stopped 10 ft shorter than a track prepped Z06 with sticky tires. :)

Where ABS will save your *** is when you have variable road conditions. Wet, Ice ect... in a daily driving / touring scenario :)
 
#18 ·
I would not wish to enter into a discussion of if a retro fit of ABS is a good idea or not but one in how one might go about it if one wants to. i think myself fitting the rotors and sensors from a later GM product and getting the ECU for that may work. one may need to fiddle with the programming to get the brake balance correct.

Sam
 
#19 ·
KMatch said:
My experience came straight from GM from training over the years required in my line of work. Good enough for me, plus personal experience with both as I can match the results. Maybe others don't have the reflexes and need help? I can't speak for everybody. It really doesn't matter to me if you're convinced or not as my stuff stops and I don't feel the need to dig deeper to prove anything - it's simply information.

As an add-on, it only takes about 10 seconds to find http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2006/08/killer-abs-abs-braking-increases-rollover-risk-by-51/ . Naturally, you can find anything to counter anything on the net, but these results back up my personal training in 30 years of experience. ABS might help someone less capable (granny and the general public tend to fit this) but most serious racers have better real world feedback than a computer. Again, take it or leave it - it makes NO difference to me.

If you are happy with that single inconclusive article and your experiences - then I'm happy too!! I'll just disagree with you as part of the general public as most people are not serious racers nor was that part of the premise for the discussion.

Dave W
 
#20 ·
akorcovelos said:
That hot rod article is exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

As for abs vs no abs, that's for another thread.
True, not what you asked, but... ;) I'm all for staying on topic yet at the same time, I'm all for keeping someone from wasting too much time/money.

One thing to make a note of is today's ABS is MUCH more precise than a few years back. Whatever "kit" you find make sure it's up to the task you're asking of it. Will you be able to adjust anything? It may be too sensitive - it may use a smoke detector to engage! On mid 90s GM trucks I remember them having to be reprogrammed for simply putting on larger tires or else they went into useless mode. Adjustability needs to be built in for installing this on a car that doesn't speak the language. Having a sensor watch wheel speed is only part of the package - it must also know when to re-engage the brakes and this could be a problem without programming for a specific weight bias.
 
#21 ·
Very true, which is why I figured a mid to late 90's impala would be the best candidate given vehicle weight and brake bias. I still have lots of research to do which may change my donor car choice, but that article basically said what I was already thinking.

I don't want full stability control, just basic abs to keep the wheels from locking in bad driving conditions.
 
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