[Greg_M]

I don't know. Not sure if there is a 4CH standalone controller. 3CH worked well on the 94-95 Mustangs. The 3CH setup uses 4 wheel sensors and it pulses both rear brakes together instead of independently. Many people have added 3CH ABS after the car was built with great success and performance.

Greg

 

[ShelbaToast]

Finding it hard to resist posting a picture of 'the Situation' - (ABS, get it?) lol. Too corny I guess. Sorry.

I have ABS and brakes from a 1996 mustang cobra. It brakes well no doubt. First time I took it for a REALLY 'spirited drive', I had lower quality tires with too much air in them and maybe a non-perfect alignment. When I threshold braked it pulled hard to the right (toward the edge of the mountain) and scared the hell out of me.

Since then I've corrected these issues and love the ABS, I wouldn't go without. Granted, I'm pretty "new school" and haven't had any experience in a sporty car without ABS. I don't know that I would have the wits about me in a lockup situation to let off the brakes and adjust in time.

 

[Adrian1281]

I don't know. Not sure if there is a 4CH standalone controller. 3CH worked well on the 94-95 Mustangs. The 3CH setup uses 4 wheel sensors and it pulses both rear brakes together instead of independently. Many people have added 3CH ABS after the car was built with great success and performance.

Greg

If I can find a four channel that is simple to use, I'd rather do that. No reason to pulse a rear wheel that isn't sliding...

I'm pretty sure a 2003 Mustang had a four channel ABS module, just have to look at the wiring schematics for it.

 

[d42davis]

I am running a 4 channel ABS from a 2003 GT. It has a 2 wire data line to the ECM and 1 dedicated wire to the OBD/DLC connector for Ford diagnostics. I don't know for sure but I believe ABS went to 4 channel with data link to the ECM starting in 96 with the start of the use of mod motors in the Mustang.
DD

 

[Adrian1281]

Would you happen to know what data the ECM is providing the ABS module?

 

[d42davis]

My guess is that the vehicle speed signal (VSS) is compared to individual wheel speeds generated by the ABS probes.

 

[mn12]

I would also wager it involves sending wheel slip data for the traction control which will pull power from the engine to overcome wheel spin

 

[peterk]

I don't believe the ABS gets anything from the PCM. ABS does send a request to cut torque for traction to the PCM.

The network wires also allow ABS to recieve the traction on/off message from the instrument cluster. In these later models the trac button is wired to the cluster and the cluster sends the disable via the network over to the ABS. So if you don't use the cluster you have no easy way to disable trac.

 

[Adrian1281]

Thanks for the info guys.

I wonder if you'd get a check engine light if you don't connect the ABS to the ECU on the four channel ABS units...

 

[MauiKarl]

i installed my 2003 gt donors 4 channel ABS and the stock PBR calipers and rotors with sbc green stuff pads.. Not sure I like it, when auto crossing i feel it prevents lockup, but on the street it does some weird things, like the inside front wheel on a corner starts to lock up at speed. then there's the issue of one caliper freezing on ( see my brake issues again!!! post) It may be only my set up or my bleeding procedure or my wiring -which was done by Roger Stine. So I'm not a solid supporter of it since I dont really have confidence in it. Karl

 

[Drop Zone]

Abs system???

What is the best ABS system to install in current build MK4?
I have the chance to get the complete ABS system out of a Tbird for $40.00 I kind of blew it by not getting it when I got the complete IRS for $40.00 at a U-Pull It auto recycler.
The local Ford dealership do not have parts for the Tbird but was kind enough to print the pages of the complete ABS for the Tbird for me. Now I know what parts are needed to be pulled from the donor.

 

[Greg_M]

What year Tbird. What year is your engine. These will influence which ABS you consider.

Greg

 

[Greg_M]

i installed my 2003 gt donors 4 channel ABS and the stock PBR calipers and rotors with sbc green stuff pads.. Not sure I like it, when auto crossing i feel it prevents lockup, but on the street it does some weird things, like the inside front wheel on a corner starts to lock up at speed. then there's the issue of one caliper freezing on ( see my brake issues again!!! post) It may be only my set up or my bleeding procedure or my wiring -which was done by Roger Stine. So I'm not a solid supporter of it since I dont really have confidence in it. Karl

I think you can somewhat rule out wiring if it's not throwing codes. However, if a wheel sensor is miswired to the wrong brake input (LF swapped with RF) it could do some crazy things by pulsing the wheel that's NOT locking.

"like the inside front wheel on a corner starts to lock up at speed." You mean while braking and turning? Does it pulse the inside wheel to prevent locking?

"then there's the issue of one caliper freezing on" Do you have enough clearance in the brake rod to the MC to assure some free play in the pedal? Maybe your caliper is bad and hanging up.

Another thing that causes one wheel to always lock first is uneven 4-corner weight distribution.

Greg

 

[Drop Zone]

Both are 1997 year. ABS still on the vehicle. My cobra build is the MK4 with a new 351W stroked to 427 IRS and have the alum center section with 3.55 gears. Transmission is a T56 tremec 6 speed manual set up for the 3.55 rear.

What year Tbird. What year is your engine. These will influence which ABS you consider.

Greg

 

[Greg_M]

Is the 1997 ABS stadalone or does it require a Mod motor computer to work? That would be the limiting factor. If it's stadalone you could use it with your setup.

 

[Drop Zone]

It has a ABS computer in the trunk and goes through the computer in the engine compartment. A lot to remove to get to everything. What would be a better alternative?

 

[Greg_M]

The 94-95 controller (what I used) is standalone. It works with SN95 front spindles which have the tone rings and sensors. I'm almost positive the tone rings on the 97 Tbird will work with the 94-95 controller. Someone who has used it needs to confirm.

Greg

 

[RRRCobraSC281]

Would you happen to know what data the ECM is providing the ABS module?

OBD/DLC is the way the ford mechanic can plug there machine so they can excite the ABS pump to properly bleed the complete brakes system. I believe that this is the reason why people (small percentage) are not happy with the ABS brake system. The actual ABS system is pretty much a stand alone system.

I believe that (when I built my Roadster) there was a warning to try not to drain any of the brake fluid from the ABS module while removing it. This would minimize the headache of having the brake to respond like they should.

04 Mach 1 donor
stock mustang cobra brakes all around
Hydro-boost
4 channel ABS

 

[Greg_M]

In general, whenever you are bleeding an ABS-equipped vehicle you can do so exactly as you would any other vehicle - stroke the pedal to pressurize the system, open a bleeder, close the same bleeder, and repeat. This does not change whether you are pressure-bleeding, vacuum-bleeding, or manual-bleeding. Just follow the same steps you normally would for a non-ABS vehicle and you're most of the way there.

Operative Word: Most

However, some ABS devices have their own internal reservoirs (Bosch ABS5.3, for example) that are not a part of the primary brake circuit and are only opened to the rest of the circuit when the ABS is active. Now, if you just bled your system per the above technique and never again cycled your ABS, you would be fine. However, as soon as the ABS cycled - even for a few tenths of a second - the "old" fluid (which was never bled because it was hidden) would be dumped into the primary circuit. Not the end of the world, but you want fresh fluid everywhere, right?

The 94-95 Stang (Bosch) might fall into this catagory. There is no diagnostic port to allow for ABS cycle. To remove the potential for old trapped fliud it is necessary to invoke the ABS and then rebleed. Not a bad idea to assure clean fluid and no chance of bubbles trapped anyplace.

Greg

 

[Greg_M]

more:

For the 2002 and earlier Mustangs without Traction Control, the ABS valve block or pump and motor assembly does not require any special bleeding procedure. For the 1998 and earlier Mustang ABS systems, there are NO Special Procedures or Considerations in bleeding the system.

Again, this is only for the 1998 and earlier Mustangs. If you have a Piece of JUNK ABS system in a t-bird, then consider shoving that whole system up the engineer's >>>>. For my Old's, with a Delco VI system, I used a bi-directional ABS controller to home the system when I did a caliper change. For a Delco VI system, you "may not" need to. However, there are many systems that you have to!

For 1999+ Mustangs, with Traction Control, you SHOULD use a bidirectional controller when the ABS controller, MC, or any line between the two the Master Cylinder is replaced or opened. However, NO MUSTANG requires any type of ABS (or ABS/Traction Control) control when just the calipers or soft lines are replaced. Again, for those with traction control, the MC MUST NOT GO DRY.
Again, this is for Mustangs only, every ABS system is different! All t-birds have POS systems that are POS and they must also be controlled if you look even crossed-eyed at them.



The Mustang, Corvette, NSX, MR2, etc, have the great fast Bosch ABS systems.

Directly for the 1998 Ford Service CD section for the Mustang.
Anti-Lock Brake System Bleeding
Service or replacement to the ABS valve block or pump and motor assembly does not require any special bleeding procedure.
Follow manual or pressure bleeding procedures.