While considering brake upgrades, the thought of adding ABS comes to mind. Any input on how it can be done?

I figure since it was optional on the '85 it could be wired in pretty easily. Hypothetical parts list:

ABS controller
ABS Sensor(s)
Relay
Master Cylinder with Solenoids

That's about it right?

I'm planning an S4 brake upgrade anyhow, so this would get me one step closer to my ideal 86.5 Euro S.

 

Tim;

If you decide to go that route, I have everything you need on an 86 parts car...cheap

Scott

 

I'll pm you right now...

 

You will need most of the metal brake lines as well , axles with teeth and the correct number of teeth (varies by year)the rear wheel hub carrier/ suspension uprights to mount the sending unit. plastic splash shield for left fender.....and in the end you get a rather primitive two channel ABS which does NOT cycle each wheel but batches them two by two so if one wheel is on ice it takes away the braking from two wheels ! and gives you the effective braking as if BOTH wheel were on ice ! ABS is only good for those people who do "Panic stops" who slam on the brakes and lock up the wheels. Theoretically it allows a driver who is out of control to be able to steer the car around trouble, I guess that assumes they still have their eyes open

 

Here in the industry we refer to ABS as "Slip Control" because that's what it is. It uses wheel speed sensors to determine if a wheel has begun to slip in relation to the other wheels. Jim says the early systems were 2-channel systems. Unless you do panic stops like Jim suggests, you probably won't get that much benefit from it - especially at the track. 4-channel systems that monitor each wheel independently and control each caliper independently, would give you benefits of not locking up the inside tire as much when going deep into a turn.
A better alternative to ABS is to get to know the car better and know it's limits and capabilities, then let your foot do the modulation of the force required to be just on the edge of locking them up.

 

I am a huge proponent of ABS on 928. I have both with and without and the with cars have significantly safer overall braking in traffic. Excellent question Tim, I have an ABS car whose system will definitely go into the '85 non-ABS car. I think it is a huge undertaking. Please keep sharing as you go.

 

Will do Heinrich

I figured the system was pretty basic, and I am doing my best to learn the car as well as I can. Were the later systems any better and can one adapt it to the car?

The main interest is better breaking under heavy load carriage (ie roadtrip with a trailer) when I may not be totally accustomed to the break points. It's also a sort of "while your at it" thing when upgrading to S4 brakes.

 

Tim perhaps a better option is put brakes on the trailer.

 

I wouldn't do it any other way...

I don't know if you saw it, but the trailer I have in mind is about 1500 lbs gross weight. It's still under the limit for the 928 without brakes, but I like more of everything if I can get it.