keep abs or not?

[shrike]

Well everyone thats been following my 4wd conversion should know that I have discovered that the rally spec gt4 running gear I got out or an st185 had the torsen diff and better gearbox but doesn't have abs.

So I am alittle bit peved about this as I do like my abs. However I am planing on upgrading from 2pot front 1pot rears to a set of 4pot front 2pot rears or if money allows a set of 6pot front and 4pot rear.

Now no matter what size caliper I'll be running 330mm front and 319mm rear slotted rotors so I have size and should be able to stop quicker then stock by a fair bit.

I am also going to run braided cables etc

Now my car should be about a ton with 300kw+ and well in the 2years I've had my car I've used abs twice in a situation where I have needed to stop quickly.

so my question is do I really need it

Right now I want to get the car rolling but I still have the engine etc to sort so I have time to get new hubs and axles to keep my abs.

But I don't want to spend money if I don't have to

What do you guys think should I can the abs or try and save it?

[RA35GT]

If it were me, I'd keep it if i could.

[shrike]

Any reason why?

[eeeyan]

If it only saves you once a year..... its still worth it.

[RA35GT]

Panic stops. May not happen too often, but for when it does...

When someone else drives my car.

Only performance disadvantage is the added weight.

[shrike]

I won't be letting other people drive my car I'm trying to sort more parts atm but the money could go onto my engine

[eeeyan]

you let others drive your car rudi?

If so wheres the keys dude?

[the_random_hero]

If you are changing the brake setup from the ABS donor car, then ditch it. I would rather have better brakes and know how to use them than have ABS and just mash the pedal.

[oldcorollas]

if you know how to use the brakes, the ABS will never trigger anyway .. only if you lock up

[eeeyan]

I know you dont have to have ABS but if you NEED them and they arent there.. i would be regretting it if i was lying in traction in a hospital learning to walk again cos i didnt have abs and hit that truck... Just my opinion.

[MWP]

I know you dont have to have ABS but if you NEED them and they arent there.. i would be regretting it if i was lying in traction in a hospital learning to walk again cos i didnt have abs and hit that truck... Just my opinion.

Yup, I agree with this.
In some situations youll remember to back off and stop locking up, but in the *really* bad panic im-gonna-die situations, will you remember to do so?

[LeeRoy]

I've had lockups and remembered to get off then back on the brakes - and this worked.

However, ABS works faster than what someones reaction time is, so the split seconds of difference may be enough to save your life, or at the least a trip to the wreckers or insurance company.

[JustenGT8]

The 185 ABS is rubbish...i pissed it off as soon as i could as it nearly caused accidents, not prevented them.

More modern ABS setups can be a good thing but early 90's...just crap. Increases braking distances, activates when you really don't want it too and even a mild brake upgrade will outperform anything the stock ABS may have provided.

[eeeyan]

Justen's right the ABS on a friend of mines E series falcon i think its an ED is garbage compared to my car. MWP is right too. Its those panic moments where your sort of on auto pilot/instincts,...

I think in that situation your brain is probably gonna just slam your foot on the brakes hard. If you have ANY sort of time to think about it yeah you'll account for locking up but in an emergency.. thought isnt really involved its instinct

[Fodder]

Instincts, or rather reactions, can be trained though - like getting yourself used to putting less steering angle on, not more, as you start to understeer through a corner.

Habits can be formed, just a matter of doing it time and time again, which is where driver training courses are great. I don't think many people would recommend practicing locking up your brakes on the road.