ABS Swap

[Justin]

If one were to swap ABS in, or out of a car what would have to be changed, other than electronics?

Obviously the lines are dramatically different. Where do they start being the same?

On the Non ABS car there is a single line running back into a 'y' then it splits to each wheel. Is that the same with an ABS car?

Which lines, specifically, need to be changed over?

I searched, however I did not find anything remotely similar to what I'm after....

 

[Nick M]

You need to look at the parts picture for both.

 

[Justin]

You need to look at the parts picture for both.

That's what I was looking for! I knew I had seen a diagram before, but it wasn't in the TSRM (which makes sense now that you tell me what I need )

 

[ForcedTorque]

There are quite a few more metal brake lines on the ABS system, and you also need the ABS unit under the hood. I'm not sure, but doesn't the ABS system also use speed sensors in the wheels? I once sold the brake lines off of an ABS parts car to someone who said he had everything else. It was a good bit of brake line.

 

[figgie]

Of course if you are feeling REALLY giddy.

You can always update the ABS system to a true 4 channel system.

For instance alot of racers use the BMW E46 M3 based ABS system. Cost is about $3000 after it is all said and done.

But for a full standalone. Well Bosch as always, is leading the way with thier first full fledged aftermarket standalone ABS system. Cost after everything is about 10k but with this system you basically get

4 wheel independant ABS
Lateral Stability control (thanks to the 4 channel system)
and the ABS system tuned to YOUR car (weight, corner weight, brake size etc). Add another 3k and you can tweak the ABS parameters on the fly but this is not recommeneded as you REALLY need to know what you are doing.

 

[slidebabyslide]

Of course if you are feeling REALLY giddy.

You can always update the ABS system to a true 4 channel system.

For instance alot of racers use the BMW E46 M3 based ABS system. Cost is about $3000 after it is all said and done.

But for a full standalone. Well Bosch as always, is leading the way with thier first full fledged aftermarket standalone ABS system. Cost after everything is about 10k but with this system you basically get

4 wheel independant ABS
Lateral Stability control (thanks to the 4 channel system)
and the ABS system tuned to YOUR car (weight, corner weight, brake size etc). Add another 3k and you can tweak the ABS parameters on the fly but this is not recommeneded as you REALLY need to know what you are doing.

Do you have any info on the E46 abs swap or install? :naughty:

 

[SilverSupraT]

Figgie: That system would be sick as hell. I hope I win the lottery at some point so that I can get it lol

As far as all the parts... I think the front hubs are different (plus the sensor that goes with them), ABS system by the wiper motor, the electronics of course, all the lines are ran differently (for the most part), and for autos there is a connector going to the transmission.

 

[figgie]

Do you have any info on the E46 abs swap or install? :naughty:

Swap?

Not a swap. It is an upgrade. Only reason I know about it is that I hover in the Bimmerforums from my old Tec3 days Lots of those racers "upgrade" the breaks in thier cars to the system I mentioned (not the new one!). The E46 unit is not as advanced as the Bosch unit. It works though!

 

[Dan_Gyoba]

There's a line going to the transmission for the manuals, too. It's the speed sensor that the ABS runs off of.

For ABS, you need the speed sensors off of each front wheel, and the transmission output.
You need the "skid control" computer and the wiring harness for it.
You need to change the ECU wiring, too. The 7M is wired to think that it has ABS, even on the ones that don't. I don't know how this is done myself, but it's one of the issues with swapping in a 7M into a Mk2.
I believe that the brake lines are only the same from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve. After that, they're all different, until you get to the final line that goes to the slave cylinders.
You will, of course, need the ABS actuator. You'll also need the relays and various other parts that connect to it.

It's a lot of work to swap in, but it can be done.