Stand alone ABS computer? Brake modulator stuff?

Wheres it at?

We have vette brakes,sups,why not abs?

ABS is extremely complicated. The ABS modulators and computers (not sure if they're stand alone) that come in a factory car are calibrated exactly for that car and that car only. They take into account such things as wheel size, tire size, tire compound, weight distribution front and rear, and anything else you can think of regarding susupension and brakes on a particular car. Transferring the modulator and the rest of the equipment may give you a semi-functional ABS system, but it would never work quite right. Plus, it would be rediculously expensive. Our A-bodies won't have any of the above characteristics in common with a modern car, especially with the C5 brakes mentioned, or even a 1LE Camaro swap. If even one piece of the entire system is different from stock, the ABS will be affected. You might end up with ABS that just locks the brakes up anyway, reacts too slow, or doesn't react enough and prevents you from using the brakes to their full potential.

Personally, I think it would be cool to see someone swap over ABS stuff and make it work, but I don't think the cost vs. performance ratio would make it worthwhile. Most muscle car lovers are just beginning to warm up to fuel injection in an old car, I think the other modern computer controlled stuff will still take awhile to catch on, if it ever does.

Ryan

graemlins/clonk.gif

I have a complete ABS system from a '94 Z28. I kept it I case I want to try building it later in life. But for the reasons that Ryan mentioned, I think I have allot of other projects to finish before I try that one. :D

I like your idea though.

in a Chevelle, you could "in theory" use a late model B body ABS setup- the front spindles are already a popular swap for the 12" brakes and taller spindles, and the rear axle might be able to mount up with some control arm mounting modifications.
there are 3 sensors- one behind each front brake rotor, and one on the pinion in the rear axle. the ABS computer is a standalone deal on the 90-93 models, i think.
i can't see why the computer would need to be calibrated for a specific car- if a wheel locks up, it modulates the pressure to it until it isn't locked up. i know an airbag needs to becalibrated for specific cars, due to different masses and crumple zones and what not, but the ABS- as done in the USA built cars, anyways- wouldn't seem to be dependent on those parameters.
but, in the end, i think i'd do without the ABS. it is false security and marketing hype to sell new cars at it's finest. every ABS car i've ever driven will not stop worth a crap if you are on a gravel road or encounter some sand on the pavement when you hit the brakes. all the car does is lockup the wheels for a brief second, then totally release all pressure and stopping power for what feels like an eternity. works good in icy and rainy conditions, tho, which is what it was designed for,

If you want to just keep the rear wheels from locking up there is a mechanical set up that GM used in some of the trucks. Around the mid 80's they had a height sensing proportioning valve attached tp the rear end with the sensing arm attached to the frame. As the ride height went down the pressure to the rear brakes went up to compensate for vehicle load. On the other end and I don't know if this was part of the design or not, but under heavy braking as the rear of the vehicle raises the pressure to the rear brakes is reduced and aids in keeping the brakes from locking up. It would be an easy conversion to do and is adjustable. The system is real easy to spot with a quick glance under the truck and would just replace the existing junction block on the rear end.

I HAD THAT SETUP ON A NEW 84 3/4 TON SUBURBAN, BRAKES WERE TERRIBLE, I ENDED UP BY PASSING THE THING SO THE REAR BRAKES WOULD WORK PROPERLY, IT WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS BEST LEFT IN THE ROUND FILE, MAYBE THATS WHY THEY ONLY USED IT A FEW YEARS, ROB...

Rob had some of the same problems until I adjusted it to give me more pressure when the bed was empty. After that it worked well in normal and panic stops.