Region: SCR
Car #: 9
Year : 97 Posts: 20
Status: Offline
posted
Greetings,
Search turned up zero results !!
I'm getting ready to install a AMB TX260 hard wired transponder on my "97. I have the basic directions from AIM, but can someone give me a pointer or two on a good mounting location and power hookup point.
Region: NWR / Oregon
Car #: 88
Year : 95 Posts: 1779
Status: Offline
posted
I went through this a while ago. The drivers side wheel well is an excellent spot. There are already threaded holes to mount the transponder, and holes through the sheet metal to run the wire.
There is a blue connector above the wheel well that has the proper voltage and turns on with the key. It can be used for powering your timing light also so remember when you wire it up that you might want that connector to do double duty.
Protect the wires when you run it through the sheet metal. I had a chaffing issue and had to splice little stubby wires trackside. Making it to your qual session just in time to make 2 laps is less than ideal.
-------------------- Keith Novak (Will work for tires)
Region: nw
Car #: 8 is great
Year : 1993 Posts: 136
Status: Offline
posted
The preferred position is actually on a James Bond telescoping pole that you can extend forward just before crossing the finish line. Wire it simultaneous with the nitrous boost system hidden in your roll cage.
Seriously, for clarification, use the front wheel well(which I believe Keith inferred)as it will mean the difference between a win and a loss in a side by side finish.
Region: Southwest
Car #: 500
Year : 2002 Posts: 151
Status: Offline
posted
Question: I thought the win or loss was determined by your laptimes, not relative position of the transponder to the finish line vs. the next nearest car's transponder. If it is determined by your laptimes, whether the transponder is located front or rear would make no difference. If it is literally determined by which transponder crosses the finish line first, then I guess I'm wrong. Maybe I'm getting it confused with qualifying...
-------------------- Greg H. 2002 Miata #500 Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas
Region: WDC
Car #: 87
Year : 1991 Posts: 508
Status: Offline
posted
It's my understanding that in a close finish the winner is judged visually by T&S, not by transponder results. First bumper to the line wins it. So it shouldn't matter where it's mounted.
Region: NWR / Oregon
Car #: 88
Year : 95 Posts: 1779
Status: Offline
posted
Not so much an issue for the winner since T&S will be watching but if you're duking it out with your buddy for 14th and T&S isn't watching so closely, you don't want a poorly located transponder interfering with your post-race s*** talking rights.
-------------------- Keith Novak (Will work for tires)
Region: NYR
Car #: 12
Year : 1991 Posts: 559
Status: Offline
posted
5.10.2 of the SCCA GCR talks about Timing and Scoring....I don't understand it but I've always had the same understanding as Richard that it's a visual judgement of who crosses first. I think either Grassroots or Sportscar did an article about mounting transponders....If I remember correctly the said it didn't really matter for club racing, but for autocross the advantage was to put the transponder in the back of the car so you get a full car length of acceleration before tripping the timing loop.
Region: SCR
Car #: 9
Year : 97 Posts: 20
Status: Offline
posted
I just found some more info in Dave Wheeler's Spec Miata Book: Another option, and one I may use is to mount the transponder on the inside of the left rear fender well and wire it directly to the battery. Supposedly it uses less power than the clock in a radio.
I'm still checking the rule book to see if it mentions the "James Bond Device" I'm thinking it may not be legal !!!
Region: NYR
Car #: 12
Year : 1991 Posts: 559
Status: Offline
posted
That's actually where mine is, and it's got a small on/off switch in the trunk. At this point I leave it on all the time during the season, and have had no problems yet.
Of course now that I've said that I'm sure I'll have to push start the car next time I need to start it!
Region: NER
Car #: 46
Year : 1993 Posts: 142
Status: Offline
posted
I mounted mine in the same location as Vick. Only I mounted a toggle switch near the master kill switch on passenger side cage. I try to keep it simple. If I can just remember to put fuel in the tank...
-------------------- LTD Racing Chief Of Inappropriate Comments
Region: NWR / Oregon
Car #: 88
Year : 95 Posts: 1779
Status: Offline
posted
If you want to mount it in the rear, on the drivers side right behind the seat belt tower is a connector for the rear defrost that's already switched. (At least there is on my car.)
I was going to wire mine there until I learned about the blue connector in the engine compt. It's mounted like the pic Richard posted. That was as easy as it gets which suits my laziness just fine.
-------------------- Keith Novak (Will work for tires)
Region: Mohud
Car #: 98
Year : 1999 Posts: 866
Status: Offline
posted
I've mounted both mine in the right rear on the rear of the subframe. Wired up to the master kill switch so I don't forget to turn it on. I don't like the front wheelwell, I've seen too much crash damage up here. If someone gets into me hard enough to break mine I've got a lot worse problems.
-------------------- Charlie Campbell Race Engineering carbotech brakes
Region: NWR
Car #: 5
Year : 1991 Posts: 245
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by luffberry: Another option, and one I may use is to mount the transponder on the inside of the left rear fender well and wire it directly to the battery. Supposedly it uses less power than the clock in a radio.
Considering the gcr requirement for the master switch, this is technically in violation.
Region: nw
Car #: 8 is great
Year : 1993 Posts: 136
Status: Offline
posted
Besides still promoting the new and improved James Bond mount. I agree with the position that when you are battling for 14th (if I could only be so lucky), timing and scoring isn't so interested in you and it is a viable argument to settle a dispute when the other guy wrongfully accuses you of losing. Personally, 14th versus 15th isn't that big of a deal unless you are a putz such as myself and are trying to move up the ladder. Especially if it means that I can finally beat Keith's race engine.
Region: NWR / Oregon
Car #: 88
Year : 95 Posts: 1779
Status: Offline
posted
Agreed 14th vs. 15th isn't a big deal. But when I find myself in a good close race, it doesn't matter where I am in the pack. Other people are having their race with whoever. This one is mine. Whether I beat the other guy or not really isn't the issue although I'll try my best.
When I was racing bikes, I won races where I totally outclassed the field. It wasn't any fun. I've had a hell of a lot better time racing my buddies for a city limits sign on a training ride. It's the competition that makes it exciting. I'm not worried about points. If we battle it out and I beat you but T&S says you beat me...I'm still going to talk trash.
-------------------- Keith Novak (Will work for tires)
Region: 11
Car #: 09
Year : 99 Posts: 125
Status: Offline
posted
I'm also looking for an AMB TX260 transponder the type you hard wire. Any help on sourcing would be greatly appreciated, any special pricing out there? Thanks
Richard, Thanks for that photo..very helpful. That looks like a good place to me. I'll check out that area on my car.
Vick,..I know the article you mentioned, but I could not find that mag. in my stack...must have tossed it out.
If there are any more inputs, they are still welcome.
Thanks again
Moe
On every build, I mount the transponder under the car on the inside of the transmission tunnel on the right side. I've seen too many times where they've been damaged or lost due to contact. You get hit so hard that it gets damaged or broken when mounted to the trans tunnel... you've got real problems.
Drill a couple of holes, rivet it on, run the wire through the opening for the A/C drain tube into the dash area... done. The drain hole even has a grommet in it unless it's been removed.
Again... just my $.02.
-------------------- "I've got 5 kids... here there are hundreds"
Region: Ohio Valley Region
Car #: 35
Year : 1999 Posts: 130
Status: Offline
posted
My Transponder was mounted passenger side on the frame rail inside the motor compartment across from the alternator. When I installed the plastic shroud that covers the underside of the radiator it blocked its clear view of the track.
when I looked at the mounting instructions, they just said you should not aim it through metal or carbon fiber, what about plastic?
Region: kc
Car #: 20
Year : 92 Posts: 1680
Status: Offline
posted
At one point, mine on the ASedan aimed through aluminum sheet, and it worked fine. I put a big hole in the sheet, just because. I don't think I would worry about plastic.
Region: NER
Car #: 7
Year : 1999 Posts: 535
Status: Offline
posted
Mine is up on the side of the frame rail on the drivers side, up underneath the fender liner. It sends a signal through the fender just fine, as I never had and T&S issues last season.
-------------------- -Cy Supported by LTD Racing, DWW Motorsports & Speed Shack - New England's Premier Auto Accessory Store Rt1 AutoMile - Norwood, MA http://www.speedshackonline.com
Region: NORTHEAST
Car #: 66
SMIM: SM Posts: 36
Status: Offline
posted
Not to change the subject but, I just bought a used SM with the transponder installed. Is there any way to check if it works before I get to the track?
Region: kc
Car #: 20
Year : 92 Posts: 1680
Status: Offline
posted
Some regions have a hand held deal that they stick under your XPndr to see if it works. You might check with your local race group folks. But, the light will tell you if you have power to the unit.
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 1969
Status: Offline
posted
I mounted mine on the front runner car...I get better results that way...
Pretty much the same place as the picture.
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
Region: NASA-SoCal
Car #: 23
Year : 1995 Posts: 867
Status: Offline
posted
The concept of T&S doing a visual of the finish has always cracked me up. We have these high tech transponders that measure to .001 seconds, but we'd rather trust people's eyes. Hasn't anyone seen Rashomon? If not, I'll send you some studies regarding the reliability of the recollection of witnesses.
Can you see .001 seconds? I can't. And T&S can't either. So if your transponder is mounted 2 inches ahead of your competitor's transponder, even if they cross the line 1 inch ahead, I can pretty much guarantee you'll get the win because T&S won't be able to tell the difference, so they'll fall back on the transponder data.
Now that doesn't mean I mount mine on the front bumper since I don't feel like spending $350 every time I bump draft. But I do mount it just inside the front frame rail and I would never consider mounting it in the rear.
-------------------- Rob Gibson RJ Racing 2008 & 2009 WERC Champion 2007 NASA SoCal SM Champion rjracing.net Weekend-Racer.com
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