Which one can we say is really better?


ABS keeps normal drivers from locking up is all I know.

Expertise someone?

 

ABS keeps flatspots off my tires when I am stupid with the brakes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by C-Zero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Which one can we say is really better?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not sure you can say which is better. Depends on the car, brakes, tyres, driver, and what kind of ABS.

In <u>theory</u> the most modern ABS system pulses so quickly that it is the theoretical equivalent of threshold braking, so theoretically one might be able to argue that the best of both is the same thing.

However, in practice, the best modern systems probably brake better than most drivers' threshold braking capabilities.

If it's an older ABS system, say, the typical passenger car type that's primarily designed not to scare the driver and basically keep the ability to steer, then a good driver can brake better without it.

I just don't think there's a simple answer.

Hell, a lot of cars we see out there in HPDE aren't even capable of locking up Hoosiers.

 

I'm better off with no ABS.

 

At the risk of sounding cliche, I think it depends on the driver. Given equal cars, one with ABS and one without, I think the better driver will out-brake the other. All things being equal, ABS probably preserves tires better but I'm not convinced it's a +/- for anything else.

edit: except maybe the rain

 

No one else expertise?

 

I'll second what has already been said.

Modern systems that function well (like the ITR) are pertty good in the dry and very useful in the wet.

Some not-so-modern systems are of questionable value in the dry, but still useful in the wet.

 

If the ABS system is good, having it around will save flat spotting your tyres, help you out brake some1 in the marbles or if there is dirt on the track, and is a god send in the rain.

A good ABS system needs to be able to handle race tyres/brakes and have fast enough recovery time to maintain full brake while curb hopping and over bumpy track surfaces on stiffly sprung race cars.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SPiFF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A good ABS system needs to be able to handle race tyres/brakes and have fast enough recovery time to maintain full brake while curb hopping and over bumpy track surfaces on stiffly sprung race cars.</TD></TR></TABLE>

A related point... a good ABS system must be able to handle a wheel in the air. In other words, AT A MINIMUM, it must be 4-channel. It must also have programming appropriate for the scenarios above.

 

So ABS on the GSR is ideal?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A related point... a good ABS system must be able to handle a wheel in the air</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea .. which is what those 2 situations are. Big thing is the system needs to recover and be back to full line pressure before the wheel is back on the ground.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by C-Zero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So ABS on the GSR is ideal?</TD></TR></TABLE>

98+ yes. &lt;97 no.


Modified by SPiFF at 2:46 PM 7/27/2004

 

I'm not going to use the ABS when I finish hooking up the 5 lug