ABS System retrofit

[Glyn Harper]

Hello all.

My car may look like a V8 now, but parts of it are still bog standard 88 Esprit!

One of them is the guts of the braking system.. it's still the standard servo assisted non ABS setup.

I'm about to fit hughe 320mm discs and bells all round, but I'm wondering what would be involved in fitting ABS?

Does anyone know what would be involved?

you seem to be able to get ABS control units fairly cheap, and I know I'd need the sensors and cog things for the driveshafts, but is there anything else?

Or perhaps this is something that is not worth doing anyway..

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Glyn.

[Kato]

Lots of guys have been disabling their systems, as they've not been working as well as some like. Plus it actually increases your braking distances unless you actually lock up and can't control the car. You're braking ability will be better without, especially on a nice dry road.

I would say unless you're driving in poor conditions a lot, or aren't confident enough in your driving skills in poor weather, I wouldn't bother with the hassle and cost. Better off doing a driving course that includes a skid pan.

Just my thoughts!

[Glyn Harper]

That's a fair one.. I've never tried and Esprit with ABS to know what it's like.

Extra weight too, I suppose!

[Splodge s4]

I totally agree with Kato. Mines been disabled (admitedly because its broke) but when it was working its far too slow, if your driving briskly & concentrating if you lock a wheel you can lift off slightly, get traction back then brake again before the ABS actually kickes in, when it does kick in you lose braking for a second or two...which is far far to long when you need to stop.

Definately do not go for the set up on the S4 cars... but if your thinking of a non Lotus ABS then it may be worth considering. But I wouldnt bother.

[Glyn Harper]

Ok, cheers Garry.. I think I'll leave it as it is!

[chats371l]

Hi Garry

I have ABS on my '99 GT3 and it seems more of a pain as my ABS light spends most of its time coming on and off with the sensors. Plus it wasn't working the other day and when I was playing I managed to spin the car in the wet but the brakes were still efficient enough to stop the car without crashing (Though was close) . Do not know if the ABS would have been better but the brakes seem good anyway.

Regards

Chats

[fflyingdog]

Just a thought ,if your car has abs as standard it will fail the MOT if its not working/disabled and maybe your insurance could be an issue in the event of a claim ? (you know how they will do their upmost to wiggle out of a claim.

Nick S4s

Edited March 26, 2007 by fflyingdog

[Paul93Lotus]

I totally agree with Kato. Mines been disabled (admitedly because its broke) but when it was working its far too slow, if your driving briskly & concentrating if you lock a wheel you can lift off slightly, get traction back then brake again before the ABS actually kickes in, when it does kick in you lose braking for a second or two...which is far far to long when you need to stop.

The real problem with this scenario is will you be able to think quick enough in that particular situation (very unlikely, unless you have taken a performance driving course...most people panic and just stomp on the brakes, and hope for the best.) Unless you have practiced lock up situations in the Esprit, most are totally unprepared of how the system reacts...then blame it as poorly engineered when they hit something. The system gets bashed a lot on here, but is does get the job done when operating properly. The fact is, if the system prevents loss of control it has succeeded in its purpose....reducing the stopping distance was not the main concern of these early systems. The rationale was that if you maintained control you might be able to avoid the impact entirely because you could still steer.

If you are thinking about a performance ABS system, the 90-94 system is not one I would even contemplate. This was an early system with flaws compared to today's more modern and reliable systems. I think the Kelsey-Hayes system(later V8 cars) is far superior than what was used in the early SE's. Either way, it might be better to adapt a system from a more modern car, or possibly an aftermarket system that works with the brake package you're buying.

Edited March 26, 2007 by Paul93Lotus

[mwmackenzie]

I had a few scarry moments in my v8 as the abs decided that the middle of a roundabout was a better place to stop???? not good!! I really prefered not having it in my Esprit.

Mark

[Splodge s4]

maybe your insurance could be an issue in the event of a claim ? (you know how they will do their upmost to wiggle ot of a claim.

Now that is a thought..... as for the MOT it passed last time as the back street garage my mate owns doesnt have the facility to check ABS, It checks the braking performance ok but not the actual ABS, as I'm sat in the car as we test it, just after testing the lights etc he doesnt notice the ABS light is on... well it worked last time!

Not thought of the insurance issue though.... mental note, dont drive to close to the car in front anymore

[Jonathan]

Hmmm, disabling a safety device

I've had ABS save me on black ice so I kinda have a little love for it.

tbh there's a lot of argument for and against...if you're confident with non-ABS and you're happy you can stop in all weather conditions using it then fair enough. However, depending on the ABS system and how it cuts in, in a straight line you lose about 1/2s length from 50mph overall.

Braking into a corner or swerving whilst braking could save your car/life pretty easily.

The delco system on the S4 -> Gt3 is pretty intrusive if you ask me, the slightest wheel speed change and it tends to cut in.

I had an instance coming down a slip road at warp 4 and braking progressivly and !-oops-! man hole cover, no space to swerve and the ABS cut in, quick off-on and everything was back to normal but all the tim you bury the pedal the thing just flutters the brakes.

Dunno what the Kelsey hayes is like cus I've never driven one and locked up.

I personall would leave it off, spend the money on a decent set of rubber and possibly a pad upgrade.

My little Elise never had ABS and I took it out on a disused road a few times to play with lock ups and threshold braking on a few wet nights and experiment with it - loads of non-ABS esprits dont have much probs with not having it - although it is nice when it works for you !