FAB Braking system?

SOSx · #1 03-03-2014

So I've been looking around the forum, Schumacher website and petit rc and I can find very little information on it's performance use or setup.

As far as I can tell from looking at the team drivers setups, none of them use it!
There is not even anywhere on the setup sheet for the fitting or settings to be recorded?

Is this due to a performance issue?

Now I have recently bought a k1 in very good condition along with a FAB system still in the bag and am wondering whether to fit it or not?

Any feedback or setup guidance would be appreciated as the lack off it makes me dubious.

ufoDziner · #2 03-03-2014

I have one on my Aero. The primary reason that I run it is so I can stay on the gas longer prior to applying maximum braking. Without it my car will carry the back tires in the air and/or do a front flip at the end of the straight. I set it so that the back end just stays on the ground. This is on very high bite clay.

juergen_jl · #3 03-03-2014

Why not simply installing it and checking it out?

Hans Wynants · #4 03-03-2014

yes, due try it , and you will know what it does to your car. if used on high grip tracks , it is definatly a benefit . i run it on carpet and astro, en you just have more control when braking .

juergen_jl · #5 03-03-2014

You can "fully lock the function", if you dislike it. So installing it is definitively no risk.

I even use it on low grip surfaces...

richardh · #6 03-03-2014

I use it on polished wood and think its great!

For me the real advantage of it is that it allows you to brake deeper into a corner, whilst still being able to turn into the corner - since it allows the front wheels to rotate and not lock up. Only word of cauion with it is that you do need to be more precise with how you apply the brakes - as with it, it's predominently the rear axle that is now doing the stopping!

Richard

chrispattinson · #7 03-03-2014

Hi SOSx,

I'm pretty sure a lot of the top drivers are running the FAB option.

I have used it in my K1 for 12 months now. with no reliability issues.

I run it very stiff preventing the front wheels locking, preventing understeer on braking (very useful at Worksop indoors).

I plan to leave this fitted in my Aero, and adjust as required. One tip I'd give (though probably overkill), is to run a small piece of heatshrink around the split pin to discourage any movement.

Regards, Chris.

SOSx · #8 03-03-2014

Cheers for all the replies. It's good to know people are getting results they are happy with. I will fit it and see

The concept makes a lot sense, I was just surprised that on all of the setup sheets from the Likes of Cockeril, Moss and other EU team drivers setups on petit rc there was no mention of them being used (and as such no guidance to settings on different track surfaces).

Our tracks are both high bite but one is smooth indoor carpet the other is relatively bumpy astro turf, any starting points on settings for these conditions?

Chris - I had read the issue regarding the pin moving if the system was set loose. So are you putting very thin heat shrink actually on the pin itself or around the housing the pin goes through? I read about using the inside ring from a bearing around the housing as a solution.

KentH · #9 03-03-2014

For the FAB issue
http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?p=809230

Mossy · #10 03-03-2014

I use the FAB and have done since we bought the K1 out.

I find it a far better system of braking as some of the guys have mentioned above. My style is to break pretty late most of the time so the FAB just gives that smoother breaking transient. If you run permanent 4wd with the pin through the standard lay shaft it does make it very difficult to be aggressive I the breaks.

In terms of setting, I run mine locked everywhere and would recommend some heat shrink over the pin side as Chris has mentioned.

Si

SOSx · #11 03-03-2014

Thanks Kent but that was one of the threads and found previusly

Cheers Si - I too tend to be a late breaker so can see the benefit. You say you run yours locked? I may have got this wrong but my understanding was that when fully locked it essentially had no effect?

Anyway gonna install it now

juergen_jl · #12 04-03-2014

Simon,

just 2 little suggestions for "improving" the setup-sheet:
- Add a field" for the fab, and
- add a field for the wing-washers,
please.

fastinfastout · #13 08-03-2014

I have been longing to try a fab but just a little expensive.

Question, if it is this good, why don't touring cars use them?

I can see a need for TC, more so than offroad!

mark christopher · #14 08-03-2014

As its in effect a sliopper, which are banned in tc could be the reason why its not used in tc

N7ELA · #15 09-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by juergen_jl

Simon,

just 2 little suggestions for "improving" the setup-sheet:
- Add a field" for the fab, and
- add a field for the wing-washers,
please.

How would you define the amount of slip you'd selected on your FAB...??? It's impossible to describe the amount of slip you'd be running so hence it's not on the sheet. It's a tuning option which everyone runs different depending upon the track and driving style.

And wing washers...? I've never found much difference altering the washers in the wing. They're either fitted or they're not. So std is fitted, if they're not they'd be listed as not fitted on the setup sheet notes...!