ABS on a Cerby?!
ABS on a Cerby?!
Author
Discussion

mattclubb

Original Poster:

7 posts

260 months

Tuesday 11th January 2005
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I'm desperately wanting to buy a Cerbera, I've been aspiring to one for god knows how long, only problem now is that an experienced road-driving mate of mine is persisting that I if I'm going to get a superfast car that I make sure it has ABS..... and ofcourse we know the Cerbera doesn't have it..... so the question is:
Has anyone had ABS fitted to their Cerbera?
If so how much did it cost?
And what do people think about the whole issue!?

Thanks,
Matthew

GCerbera

5,161 posts

280 months

Tuesday 11th January 2005
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joospeed

4,473 posts

307 months

Tuesday 11th January 2005
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There's a company in Germany that was offering ABS kits on TVR some years back .. maybe someone will remember who it was .. I think a PHer was trying to co-ordinate several people to get it done and bring the price down.

Tripps

5,814 posts

301 months

Tuesday 11th January 2005
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In my experience so far Cerbera brakes are damn impressive. Even in damp conditions they'll stop you far quicker than you'd imagine.

Rather than relying upon driver aids and lose out on the Cerbera you really want I'd go for driver training instead, so you're able to better predict the surfaces you're on and the circumstances around you that require slowing down for.

You could also get specific training that would better show you the point of locking and allow you to best find a good technique for stopping.

After all there are situations where ABS only makes matters worse, such as gravel and snow and you cannot switch if off then...

UKBoB

16,277 posts

294 months

Tuesday 11th January 2005
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Tripps said:
Rather than relying upon driver aids and lose out on the Cerbera you really want I'd go for driver training instead, so you're able to better predict the surfaces you're on and the circumstances around you that require slowing down for.

You could also get specific training that would better show you the point of locking and allow you to best find a good technique for stopping.

After all there are situations where ABS only makes matters worse, such as gravel and snow and you cannot switch if off then...

joospeed

4,473 posts

307 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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I really like driver aids .. and it's a selfish cost issue for the owner.

You might say *what price safety, and driver training is transferrable car to car* .. but :

I know someone who has done the excellent Police training ride-drive course and when they drive in that style they get 30% *increase* in fuel consumption, that's a lot of money going up in smoke everytime you drive.

Also to keep your new skills honed you'd want to book onto an airfield every month or so to practise your cadence braking, skid control and throttle traction control to make sure you're still as good as you could possibly be.

That all costs money.

For the odd occasions when you might encounter snow or gravel just drive a bit slower than you would otherwise do ..

I think it's important not to underestimate the role electronic aids have in our modern world.

On the other side of the coin, I'm also a firm believer that sports cars shouldn't necessarily be easy to drive , there should be some *challenge* element to getting the best out of them, and rewards for those who are gifted enough to do it .. but if given the choice I'd have traction control and ABS with the option of switching them out.

paulk

319 posts

303 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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After a recent accident with the Cerbera I am looking at the possibility of fitting traction control to the Cerb. I would also like the possibility of turning it off for track days etc. But for run of the mill driving when you may be a bit tired then I think we should make the most of today’s technology, after all it may save your life.

SXS 

2,068 posts

269 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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joospeed said:
I think it's important not to underestimate the role electronic aids have in our modern world.


Another fine statement from the man who breathes torque for air.

I totally agree, the difference between no-aid and aid is like night and day if the setup is top-dollar ie pork, Fezz, Merc, Bim...

But to have the ability to turn the features off at the touch of a button is perfect for those hot summer days when you want a 'bit' of fun....

But if the car hasnt come with them as standard, it can be a very costly venture to get them added later, especially for a marquee that does not have those features available even as options with next to zero aftermarket support...

I'll have the Motec traction and launch control functionality included in my project, all part of the Advanced Features option for the Motec M800 ecu. But I will also be looking into ABS when I get to the brakes stage later in the year, the new differential has ABS support which is a good thing, so all thats needed is the rest of the circuitry when the whole braking system gets ripped out and replaced with 8-pots up front and 6-pots on the rear.

For those interested in aftermarket traction control facilities, dont risk it, there are many limitations and issues which can lead to unpredictable results and also lead to engine damage in some cases (do a search on google)... I'd say invest in an ecu with the feature as part of the system and go down that route... you would still be looking at the region of around 3k+, probably more when you realise that certain other things need replacing too (as is always the case with major conversions that dont have off-the-shelf support)....

You wouldnt walk into a thorny bush, butt naked would you? I guess you can say the car needs some protection too, when you're a little tired! (we've all been there, sometimes just poodling along, want to be in bed, and shoulders feel like they want to drop off, and alertness just falls through the floor, this is when little aids come in handy to assist in slow reaction times, I dont think sportscar owners are superheros, everyone can suffer from lax... its natural)

njw 77

17,065 posts

267 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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I may have dreamt this, but I'm sure when Austec/Mark Adams were remapping my ECU, they told me they had uncovered a traction control element in the MBE/ECU?

They where looking into it further, but havent heard anything since.

CiderwithCerbie

1,420 posts

296 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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joospeed said:
On the other side of the coin, I'm also a firm believer that sports cars shouldn't necessarily be easy to drive , there should be some *challenge* element to getting the best out of them, and rewards for those who are gifted enough to do it .. but if given the choice I'd have traction control and ABS with the option of switching them out.




As a victim of a Chimaera swapping ends under heavy braking on M40 (NOT my fault - police confirmed), I always wondered why switchable driver aids were not on the options menu - Moleskins and BS please take note

PS I am little fed up of reading how many people have pulped their cars this winter - everyone's premiums go up. Put your willy back in its warmer and draw your horns in until it dries up!!!

jfk1958

128 posts

264 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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Would Trevor sell more cars if they had ABS or Traction control, personally i dont think so unless they want to go for a different market e.g. M3 etc type drivers....all the thrills without the skills.

SXS 

2,068 posts

269 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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jfk1958 said:
Would Trevor sell more cars if they had ABS or Traction control, personally i dont think so unless they want to go for a different market e.g. M3 etc type drivers....all the thrills without the skills.



Thats a debatable thing...

If they add those features, then we'll be looking at 911 prices....

TVR's sell, because they give you power for the pound.
That power for the pound will fade away if they go more mainstream and start adding 'modern' features - which there is nothing wrong with, and if you have the buttons to switch on and off, trust me, on the roads you would most likely leave them on most the time... being arnie behind the wheel isnt the only way to enjoy driving, you can do it in style, mr Bond....

jfk1958

128 posts

264 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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Good points but lets bear in mind that as used car prices drop, TVR's (Cerbera's and other models)are available for £10k or less. This may be attracting a different market, younger possibly less experienced guys used to the latest driving aids.

Maybe this is why we are seeing more more accidents!!!!

SXS 

2,068 posts

269 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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jfk1958 said:
Maybe this is why we are seeing more more accidents!!!!


Thats a VERY GOOD point! Sadly true too! It makes me feel a little 'average' when I see spotty-faced dennis down the road drive past in a silver cerbera 4.5 with jet-horn exhausts and blacked out windows.... oh well that will soon change...

CiderwithCerbie

1,420 posts

296 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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[quote=SXS ]
jfk1958 said:
Would Trevor sell more cars if they had ABS or Traction control, personally i dont think so unless they want to go for a different market e.g. M3 etc type drivers....all the thrills without the skills.




Thats a debatable thing...

If they add those features, then we'll be looking at 911 prices....

TVR's sell, because they give you power for the pound.
That power for the pound will fade away if they go more mainstream and start adding 'modern' features - which there is nothing wrong with, and if you have the buttons to switch on and off, trust me, on the roads you would most likely leave them on most the time... being arnie behind the wheel isnt the only way to enjoy driving, you can do it in style, mr Bond.... [/quote]

That's the point - OPTIONS & SWITCHABLE

PS Agree about young Chav's going from 200 bhp FWD hatches to Cerbera's and Tuscan's because of the prices - shouldn't be allowed without Ride-Drive certificates - how can they afford the insurance anyway!

davetherave1970

2,144 posts

275 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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SXS said:
when I see spotty-faced dennis down the road drive past in a silver cerbera 4.5 with jet-horn exhausts and blacked out windows.... oh well that will soon change...
Oi I'm not spotty or called Dennis

CiderwithCerbie

1,420 posts

296 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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davetherave1970 said:

SXS said:
when I see spotty-faced dennis down the road drive past in a silver cerbera 4.5 with jet-horn exhausts and blacked out windows.... oh well that will soon change...

Oi I'm not spotty or called Dennis


But.....you are from Essex!!!

davetherave1970

2,144 posts

275 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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CiderwithCerbie said:
But.....you are from Essex!!!

I don't own any white socks......not anymore anyway!

alderley

184 posts

262 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
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If you cannot read the road ahead, have no ABS and don't wish to skid into someone or something, find out about CADENCE BRAKING. This technique can be switched on or off by your brain.

mattclubb

Original Poster:

7 posts

260 months

Monday 17th January 2005
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Well thanks all for your input!
Going by the general concensus I went and bought a Cerby on Saturday! and I'm gonna take the advanced driving lessons before I start thinking about having traction control fitted.
Looks like a minimum £2000 jobby so save that for another day!

Thanks again
Happy Driving!

Mega excited,
Matt