Is this idea good or not?

I think all cars have ABS now, but it was not that long ago that many cars could be had with and with out ABS. I would like to add ABS to an older car. I am thinking about my 1988 Saab 900 and my 1979 Porsche 911. Now my Saab would be easy as it could be bought with ABS new and I do not think it was controlled by the ECU(does it have a brain). However it was very simple system and I would like some thing better (4 Chanel?). So people are going to tell me to learn the threshold brake, but as I get older and know I am not a hero driver it sounds safer/faster to have ABS. I have driven a few car on the track with ABS and almost never used it. I am more thinking of the long sleepy drive home on Sunday night. What do you guys think?

I was wishing I could turn the abs and traction stuff off the other day.

odd, most of use want to get rid of that junk, not add it...

Unconventional, but good luck

I think adding ABS will get expensive real quick. You need to buy that stuff mentioned by Wonk. But there's also the reluctor ring, or tone wheel. These are usually in the wheel bearings and or mounted on the axle shafts. So, you'll nee a computer, booster, wiring, sensors, accumultor, 2 axles and or 2/4 wheel bearing assemblies. I would just sell the car and buy one with it. If you do this, and a year from now you are in an accident you will be suid for eleventy billion dollars because you hacked the system together. I can hear the testimony now "you'r honor. I wouldn't have rear-ended him at 130 mph if he didn't stop so quick. That's why I need eleventy billion dollars" or worse, your loved one is hurt in a crash and in the investigation they discover your home-brewed ABS setup. Now you are responsible for everything.
I'm not saying I agree with it, but this world is run by lawyers.

^^^^^ i hate it but he's right^^^^^^^

In reply to DrBoost:

Well if they start looking at my cars I am in big trouble. My Saab runs Volvo engine management and my Porsche is Subaru powered. Oh and the both have custom home brew big brakes using Out-Law calipers. I would not thought about this before LKQ opened a pull-a-part here.

I wish my autox car had abs. It would save me a lot of flat spots on my rcomps. Even though it's a miata and was available with abs, it's a huge job to retrofit.

Yup flat spots suck. Having to change the axles makes it a lot more work/expence than I want. I was hoping for an add on Reluctor Ring. Well this thread still had some value. I learned what a Reluctor Ring is. Thanks guys.

I can flat spot the rear of my Saab fast. The rear seems to get vary light under heavy braking at high speeds (more than most cars). Maybe it's the motor and trans sticking out past the front wheels? The car has to be 100% straight to slow from high speeds. ABS would be nice.

I am also FOR abs for avoiding flat spots.

You know whats worse than flat spotting your r-comps? Flat spotting your street tires. because then you get to deal with it EVERY DAY!!!!

Snipes, for running around on the street, especially slogging into work, half asleep, with a cup of coffee in one hand, ABS is wonderful. Like you, I am well aware of the fact that I am not at my peak under those driving conditions. As well driving in the rain and snow and ice and other things that I encounter on the roads on a regular basis.

That said, I do not always love ABS, most especially at really low speeds. Some of them have prevented me from coming to a complete stop. The 740 Volvo were the most obnoxious for this. Great at bringing me down from 50-5 mph on the ice. But for actually stopping, nah. They would chatter and pulse and let the car keep on rolling. Only way to actually stop the car was to run into something. Not nice!

Retrofitting ABS isn't particularly complex, but doing an OEM retrofit can be difficult and expensive. Some systems like a Volvo are very self contained, and would be amenable to fitting onto other vehicles. It's not something I'd feel strongly enough about to bother doing, but it certainly could be done. Many OEM setups require quite a bit of equipment to get the whole job done, using different suspension arms to mount sensors on, etc.