Abs

[GregWeld]

I have ABS in the Lotus 2 Eleven.... now --- here's a factory that should have their shizzle together right? But if you spin the poor little Lotus -- the ABS goes into ICE mode and you have no stopping power what-so-ever....

I can disable the ABS by simply disconnecting the right front sensor... and when I did that -- a test drive down my street had the fronts locking up at 25mph and barely any braking pressure applied. In talking with other racers that run this same car - they all said they leave the ABS hooked up - even though they run the risk of going into ICE mode. Go figure.

My point is --- ABS is pretty complicated -- and even more so for track cars... There's lots of discussion about this in Mark Stielows post about that system on the new Z/28 = and Mark knows a thing or two about suspensions etc.

I'm not sure I'd want to try to tackle custom building a system when even the big time engineers struggle to get it right.


I just went back to look to see what was said in that thread regarding ABS -- and I guess the discussion was really more about traction control.... and the difficulties surrounding that system in track modes... but there is also mention of ABS... and a couple of different systems a guy can buy I guess.

[preston]

yeah for a long time I couldn't figure out why no one had managed to bring a semi-programmable ABS on to the market for non factory equipped vehicles. But it makes perfect sense to me now for the reasons you have stated Greg. Combine that with the liability and I guess we're not going to be seeing it. Give the plethora of products being pushed for the pro-touring and resto-mod scene if it was remotely feasible I think we would have seen something, even a at the $10k price point using some Bosch motorsport setup or something.

I know this argument has been washed down the crapper in recent years, but what happened to wanting to drive the car yourself anyway ?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by preston

yeah for a long time I couldn't figure out why no one had managed to bring a semi-programmable ABS on to the market for non factory equipped vehicles. But it makes perfect sense to me now for the reasons you have stated Greg. Combine that with the liability and I guess we're not going to be seeing it. Give the plethora of products being pushed for the pro-touring and resto-mod scene if it was remotely feasible I think we would have seen something, even a at the $10k price point using some Bosch motorsport setup or something.

I know this argument has been washed down the crapper in recent years, but what happened to wanting to drive the car yourself anyway ?

I rarely voice my opinion... especially when some might find it offensive.... LOL



This whole PT / Driving / WINNING thing drives me crazy. What I've learned over the years is that just HAVING FUN WITH THE CARS -- whatever that is - is good enough. I don't have to be the fastest lap time... or the most horsepower... or even the latest greatest anything.

My point? Traction control and ABS etc is about being just a hair faster than the next guy - using technology to aid us. I totally understand the "engineer" in all of us. But many times making a project so over the top just delays the build - adds costs and complexity that is rarely used or required.

My real point - None of that is required to have fun. We no longer need to look at a tach because the electronics won't let the motor over rev... we don't have to modulate a pedal or steering input because the electronics take care of that for us. But is it more fun? I actually prefer to drive the Mustang over the Lotus... the Lotus has all the goodies - it goes faster (lap times). The Mustang is more fun to me. But that's just me.