adding ABS

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2woody
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adding ABS

Post by 2woody » Tue Apr 17, 2018 4:37 pm

Has anyone added ABS to a non-ABS MGF ?

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talkingcars
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Re: adding ABS

Post by talkingcars » Tue Apr 17, 2018 8:34 pm

I doubt it, it is a major job, you have to replace the master brake cylinder, most if not all the brake lines at the front and replace three of the hubs to add the ABS sensors, not to mention all the extra wiring.
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Mykel
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Re: adding ABS

Post by Mykel » Tue Apr 17, 2018 10:54 pm

Anti lock brakes are a sensible thing on a daily driver, which is used all year round in all kinds of weather. From my present point of view, using the TF in summer only, I’d be happy to get rid of them. Braking is much more direct and precise without.

If you use the car in adverse conditions, I reckon it would be easier to swap for one with ABS fitted.
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Bazzajay
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Re: adding ABS

Post by Bazzajay » Tue Apr 17, 2018 11:36 pm

You could, of course, use cadence braking as an alternative if conditions warrant it.
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2woody
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Re: adding ABS

Post by 2woody » Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:45 am

its not so much me that I'm worried about - I'm a test-driver with more years experience that I care to admit to. But the other half also uses the car and she's not quite as experienced.

2woody
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Re: adding ABS

Post by 2woody » Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:48 am

Mykel wrote:Anti lock brakes are a sensible thing on a daily driver, which is used all year round in all kinds of weather.

If you use the car in adverse conditions, I reckon it would be easier to swap for one with ABS fitted.
that's not an option unfortunately. My car is a cat "D" and I'm sure I wouldn't get anything for it, and in addition it only cost my £90 to buy in the first place. I do have some history in the MGF programme, so I'll keep it.

As it happens, I've ordered all of the stuff I think I'll need now - I just need to look at the wiring diagram for the instruments to see if I need those, too

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Mykel
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Re: adding ABS

Post by Mykel » Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:05 am

2woody wrote:… it only cost my £90 to buy in the first place.
:o
Okay, I’m with you now :lol: . Go for it and post a how-to, please.
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BodgeItAndScarper
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Re: adding ABS

Post by BodgeItAndScarper » Wed Apr 18, 2018 4:23 pm

Can you even trigger the ABS in an F on decent tyres without upgrading the brakes first?

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Mykel
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Re: adding ABS

Post by Mykel » Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:04 pm

You definitely can – under driving conditions ABS was made for. Snow, mud, puddles … no problem.
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2001 ZR 160 in Solar Red, LHD, LPG conv
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1972 MG Midget MkIII RWA in Blaze Red
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2woody
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Re: adding ABS

Post by 2woody » Mon Apr 30, 2018 8:59 am

A quick update. ABS is now fitted, but not yet running as I'm needing the front two brake flexi-hoses. Not because they're different with ABS, but because I pulled the thread out of one of them when fitting the new brake pipe.

Actually, the job was relatively easy - well within a weekend's work

I shall at least post a list of the parts required once I'm sure it works fully

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Rob Bell
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Re: adding ABS

Post by Rob Bell » Mon Apr 30, 2018 6:19 pm

ABS hubs, replacement brake pipes (mostly located under the bonnet), ABS ECU/valve block (bolts in) are the easy bits. Adding the wiring loom is also easy - but you have to remove the interior of the car to do it. No worries, if your car is in parts as part of a restoration.

I plan the retrofit on N7 at some point. I have nearly all the parts needed to do it too :) Well I had... I wonder where I've hidden the ABS unit? It also needed a new mounting bracket - the old one had to be cut out :(

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RobboMC
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Re: adding ABS

Post by RobboMC » Tue May 01, 2018 3:38 am

BodgeItAndScarper wrote:Can you even trigger the ABS in an F on decent tyres without upgrading the brakes first?

Yep you sure can! :D :) :P

But I only trigger it intentionally in the wet as on a dry road the forces are tearing at the suspension with huge loads.

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Rob Bell
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Re: adding ABS

Post by Rob Bell » Tue May 01, 2018 9:08 am

If you can't lock the front wheels in an emergency stop with standard, non-ABS brakes, then there is a problem somewhere...

BodgeItAndScarper
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Re: adding ABS

Post by BodgeItAndScarper » Sun May 27, 2018 10:49 am

Since I asked that I've deglazed my brake pads, which made a huge difference.

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