FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Is there any issue in putting in an ABS diff (VS) into my FC? The donor is a VS (Series II) and I have Hoppers Stoppers VT disks (non-ABS) on the front.  I dont understand how ABS works,  but am keen to put it in (I have the VS front-end with the ABS, can this be used on the VT stubs, or fitted to the calipers?, is there something I just need to swap-over).

Dumb question?  ::)

Not a dumb question, but if you want it to work you are probably going to need to install a stack of electronics and other hardware.
If you haven't got it on the front, it's probably a waste of time installing it on the rear only.
ABS, as I understand, works by the braking system relieving pressure to the caliper when it detects that the wheel has locked and the car is still moving. I have "activated" ABS in the work's Falcon whilst braking a little too hard on gravel, you feel the pulsating through the pedal.

I am no expert in this area but I owned an ABS equipped VS and put some thought into how the system could be transplanted into my EJ. I think that the only difference at the disk/caliper end is a motion sensor. Not sure if there is any difference in the discs themselves to allow the sensor to work. If the wheel locks a signal is sent to the ABS 'brain' which relieves pressure to the caliper of the offending wheel. The 'brain' and the module that reduces pressure to brake lines sits under the bonnet, downstream of the master cylinder. If you don't have these your brakes should work like a normal non-ABS system.  

If the ABS brain is separate to the engine/gearbox ECU (which I think it is) it should not be too much of an issue to fit the brain and regulator module thing. Probably just a power supply, plumbing, brackets and physically squeezing it all under an FC bonnet.

I still have the VS workshop manual so will check if the discs are different with ABS and if the ABS electronics are separate from the ECU.

David

thanx guys.  I have all the plumbing, and  smarts to make this happen, just wanted to make sure I was going to be able to stop.  I was hoping to "transplant" the ABS smarts into the front also, making it complete, but not sure it this will go into VT calipers... might be able to swap the VT for the VS from the donor car.  Need to check this out also. Guess I could ask the guys at hoppers stoppers, they provided the VT kit.

Hi MikeM.

Adding ABS to an early model car can be a handful, because the software has to be tailored to cars weight, braking balance etc. As stinky said there is sh*tloads of electronics.

To answer your question re:- your car there is a lot more to the system than just the wheel sensors. In the case of the VT front brakes, the sensors are built into the inside the front hubs. When you fit VT brakes to your car you will only be using the rotors & the calipers, you can't fit the original VT hubs to your front end.

To give you an idea how complex it can get, on VR/VS the front hubs on IRS cars had different inbuilt sensors to those on cars with the std 5 link rear end. When Mercedes Benz first introduced their ABS in the eighties, it took them 1 or 2 years to get their system to work properly on Australian roads. Remember this is a huge multi-nation company with a few more resources (& money) than you & I.

I would spend you spare time (& money) on better brakes, suspension & steering. If you like playing with electronics, go EFI.

Dr Terry.

Dr Terry,

Good advice I think. I had a better look at what I had today and it isnt as "simple" as I was expecting.   The sensor is the interesting part and as you correctly pointed out, I only use the disk and caliper not the actual hub itself.  I would still like to persue it, but I might concentrate on some other more immediate issues I stumbled onto over the weekend :(  - another posting for this.