My Car doesn't have ABS!!

RodbeyBur · Post by **RodbeyBur** » March 8th, 2005, 1:57 pm

I found out last night that my car doesn't have ABS. That is probably the reason the previous owner ran it into the back of another car.

Does anyone know how hard it would be to convert to ABS? I have a 93 and am not sure if it was an option in that year.

Is it possible to install airbags into a 93?

Chino921 · Post by **Chino921** » March 8th, 2005, 2:35 pm

Anything CAN be done. Something’s just aren’t practical. To install ABS or airbags on a car that lacks them would cost thousands of dollars (or whatever currency you use). Sensors, pickups, the whole wiring harness, ecu. Not to mention all of the hydraulic upgrades. It's just not practical. Besides, ABS is a waste of space and weight.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 8th, 2005, 2:47 pm

There is one nice thing about ABS brakes.. Insurance companies give a price break if your car came equipped from the factory with them. If you added them to the car afterwards.. you would have to fight with your insurance company to get them to give you the same discount.. they would probably want to inspect the car as well. Not really worth the effort.

Tunes67

RodbeyBur · Post by **RodbeyBur** » March 8th, 2005, 3:38 pm

Chino921 wrote:Anything CAN be done. Something’s just aren’t practical. To install ABS or airbags on a car that lacks them would cost thousands of dollars (or whatever currency you use). Sensors, pickups, the whole wiring harness, ecu. Not to mention all of the hydraulic upgrades. It's just not practical. Besides, ABS is a waste of space and weight.

It seems that you are just guessing here and can't fully answer my question.

My experience has been that most car makers have the wiring for options installed in the wiring harness during the manufacturing process. That way with options or requested they just plug and play. It saves them time and money of having to build cars upon requests. IE matching options to paint colors and other accesories. That has been my experience with cars anyway. I have never looked into upgrading ABS or Airbags though.

Since MX3's had ABS / AIRBAGS as an option in 93, I am hoping that the wiring will be in place. All I would need would be the components and installation.

Hoping someone with more knowledge on the MX3 ABS system can help me out with the components listing.

As far as airbags, I really don't want those. I know they came as a group with the ABS that is why I was asking.

Also, why is ABS a waste of space? It reduces stopping distance by alot. Even if you know how to control non ABS brakes, you would not be able to pump the brakes as fast as ABS! Drving in snow and rain is alot safer, easier. If you prefer to lock the wheels up around corners then the ebrake is waiting and willing. ABS has soooo many advantages over non ABS.

Chino921 · Post by **Chino921** » March 8th, 2005, 4:35 pm

First off, I have more experience with import cars than you can imagine. Second, you are probably correct about the wiring, but you will not have an ABS control unit because that is way to expensive to just throw into a car that is not going to use it. Also, the wheel speed sensors receive a signal from the pick up (Called a sensor rotor) either in the steering knuckle or from the outer C.V. joint on the axel shaft depending on front or rear. In either case, you will not have these, which means replacing the axle shafts and the rear hub assembles. When you're done thinking about that, then you can start to think about the brake lines that will have to be re- routed to the ABS hydraulic unit then back to each corner the car.
As for the pros and cons, there are plenty of both. I guess it's all up to your skill and reaction time.

RodbeyBur · Post by **RodbeyBur** » March 8th, 2005, 4:47 pm

Chino921 wrote:First off, I have more experience with import cars than you can imagine.

I doubt it I have a pretty big imagination.

So far for my list I have:

Calipers
ABS Controller (under dash?)
ABS Hydraulic Pump (thing with all wires going into it in engine bay)
New Brake Lines (to and from pump)
Sensors (where are these located?)

Did I miss anything?

Chino921 · Post by **Chino921** » March 8th, 2005, 4:55 pm

big imagination huh?

...and that's the only thing you could come back with?

Case closed I'm done with this topic.

RodbeyBur · Post by **RodbeyBur** » March 8th, 2005, 5:01 pm

Come back with?? Is this a competition? I triying to find out some information about my car and you are treating this as if it is some sort of competition. LMAO. Please find a new thread to jack.

Chino921 · Post by **Chino921** » March 8th, 2005, 5:10 pm

I'm sorry if I sounded a bit competitive, but when I try to give helpful information and my knowledge is questioned in a cinical way I tend to get offended.
sorry.

johnnyb · Post by **johnnyb** » March 8th, 2005, 6:55 pm

for any ABS questions read the online manual pages P-048 to p-078 it will answer any questions you may have

kiwi_MX3 · Post by **kiwi_MX3** » March 8th, 2005, 8:07 pm

Non Abs to Abs, sorry RodbeyBur your be better off buying a MX3
with abs,

So far for my list I have:

Calipers
ABS Controller (under dash?)
ABS Hydraulic Pump (thing with all wires going into it in engine bay)
New Brake Lines (to and from pump)
Sensors (where are these located?)

Calipers Any can be used

ABS Controller (under dash?)
Nope its under the passanger seat.

New Brake Lines (to and from pump)
Yup!

Sensors (where are these located?)
On the rear hub's and on the front drive axles.

Thats the complete loom for a MX3 Jspec with all the goodies
you would have to put one of those in..

Matt

RaverChankoMX3 · Post by **RaverChankoMX3** » March 8th, 2005, 9:04 pm

Bah, you don't need ABS unless like mentioned earlier, in poor driving conditions.

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » March 8th, 2005, 11:08 pm

I dont think 93's had optional airbags, airbags started in 94 to my knowledge.

papa roached · Post by **papa roached** » March 9th, 2005, 12:54 am

93s didnt have air bags, my 93 has a fuse for ABS but its not in there, hmmm

lakersfan1 · Post by **lakersfan1** » March 9th, 2005, 10:16 am

f--- ABS. Learn how to drive.