Brakes and ABS

[BigD]

I picked up a set of wider wheels with R888's on in black which looks much better, changed the pads from the ropey redstuffs that were on it to the Carbon Lorraine RC5+ and gave the rear calipers a quick service as it had been pulling a bit to the left on braking. They all looked in decent condition to be honest.

Took it for a quick brake bedding session and it definitely stops well. I have to hand it to Lotus, everytime I do something on the car it is so straightforward the brakes were a doddle. (OK I know clam removal may be the let down here and I'm guessing my standard rad is going to require replacement soon ).

On the brakes front and onto my question it was a wee bit damp last night which meant the abs came on easily which is good as it means the brakes are plenty good enough to lock up the wheels. On a dry track though this can be a bit of a pain as it extends the braking quite a bit sometimes, is there a fuse for the abs that I can disconnect so it doesn't work? Used to do this in the Evo on track and it was much better with no interference?

[Shug]

Sure there is on the VX (and I bet there will be on the Elise) but believe it or not, even Walshy says the ABS on the Elise, which is a good 4 channel system, not the nasty 2 channel that was on the VX, is faster on track.

Okay, I'm not the worlds latest braker, but I never managed to trigger the ABS on Elaine's in the dry with hot tyres on track.

Cue current track gods popping up to tell me I'm talking sh*te

[BigD]

Sure there is on the VX (and I bet there will be on the Elise) but believe it or not, even Walshy says the ABS on the Elise, which is a good 4 channel system, not the nasty 2 channel that was on the VX, is faster on track.

Okay, I'm not the worlds latest braker, but I never managed to trigger the ABS on Elaine's in the dry with hot tyres on track.

Cue current track gods popping up to tell me I'm talking sh*te

Thanks Shug, I haven't had it on a dry track with warm tyres yet so you are probably correct, it just seemed to come on very easily last night (obviously damp though so not surprised by this). I guess the other thing is if you are modulating the braking properly on track you shouldn't get to the point of locking it up. I was deliberately harsh last night as I was bedding in.

[cstrachan]

VX owners fit a cut off switch or disconnect the sensor at the wheel, the fuse takes out the speedo and puts the car in limp mode. If you want to fully disable the ABS (1 off sensor still allows ice mode) you need to disconnect 1 front and 1 rear sensor, one of the rears is also the speedo so do not disconnect it (nearside rear I think).

[Rag_It]

Cue current track gods popping up to tell me I'm talking sh*te

You'll need to remind me who these are presently!

I just loved the use of current in that sentence mate!

[Shug]

Cue current track gods popping up to tell me I'm talking sh*te

You'll need to remind me who these are presently!

I just loved the use of current in that sentence mate!

Was also waiting for someone to misconstrue it when I read it back... I was only ever a track bitch...

[Mike Scib]

I fitted an ABS cut off switch to the VX as it would go into what is know as ice mode, since fitting I have never turned the ABS on again.

As Shug said, the VX comes with a pikey 2 channel system, where as the 'superior' Elise comes with a 4 channel system which is supposed to be a good improvement. Lots of the VX boys fit the 4 channel.

Anyway just get it disconnected as I don't want to hear about the ABS kicking in as you pull in to let me pass

[BigD]

I fitted an ABS cut off switch to the VX as it would go into what is know as ice mode, since fitting I have never turned the ABS on again.

As Shug said, the VX comes with a pikey 2 channel system, where as the 'superior' Elise comes with a 4 channel system which is supposed to be a good improvement. Lots of the VX boys fit the 4 channel.

Anyway just get it disconnected as I don't want to hear about the ABS kicking in as you pull in to let me pass

Trust me, I won't need to use that excuse I have plenty more available..........

[BigD]

Thanks for the replies, glad it wasn't a stupid question.

I'm not going to start disconnecting wheel sensors so will see what it's like as is first.

[keevster]

Thanks for the replies, glad it wasn't a stupid question.

I'm not going to start disconnecting wheel sensors so will see what it's like as is first.

I never had an Issue on track Donald with ABS, even in the wet. On the road was a different story in the wet, which to be honest, did not really bother me. Dry on the road, never had an issue with ABS coming on. I had the same set up as yourself!
I have the 4 pot APs on my Exige, and again, It has not been a major issue in the dry on the road. Cannot comment on track as yet, but I suspect all will be fine.

[Andy G]

Hey D

You can actually disconnect it quite easily. We did this when practising correction at North Weald, as the exercise we did was way to easy with abs active.

I don't recall ever deciding to do it though on my 111r apart from during that. Tended to find that it was actually pretty bang on as it was, and so easily to modulate, I doubt you'll ever be aware of it, especially with sticky rubber on.

One sensor unplugged though, and off it pops.

[BigD]

Sounds like it's a good system. It just seemed to come on a lot in the damp which is maybe to be expected given cold tyres and me being extremely hard on the brakes to see what would happen. At least it stopped in a straight line.