17 replies to this topic

[Alberto]

I was working on the car this weekend getting it ready for the next event at Laguna Seca and remembered JohnnyD's thread on his transponder installation saga. I snapped a few pics and created a quick write up on my blog hoping it would help someone in the future.

Link to the write up is here:
http://blog.miatarac...r-in-miata.html

Post if you have any questions or need me to circle stuff in the pics.

The wire I used probably works for the 94-97 1.8L but I have no idea about the 99+.

[Bench Racer]

Alberto & others, this is all said with an informative A better place to mount your transponder is to the chassis inside/ahead of the rear wheel. Kind of zero potential for crash damage to the transponder.

[Keith Novak]

One note on the method in the link…. Cutting off the blue connector and wiring the transponder directly to it eliminates a really easy place to hook up the timing light.

[Dave Metz]

Just a suggestion. The inboard side of the RR wheelwell seemed like a REALLY good location... Nice and flat, not likely to get damaged.... However.... One late night working on car, trying to get it ready to go to the track the next day found in was not so ideal. Upon drilling my holes to mount it, I noticed a steady stream of acid pouring in my face... Just an FYI, the battery is tight against that not quite so ideal spot! Not too smooth!

[Cy Peake]

On a 99:

Switched power from the black wire with white stripe from the diagnostic box next to the airbox.

[Alberto]

Good points. This location was far easier for me than the rear as I wanted switched power. I'm anal like that.

Interesting comment on the timing light. You can tell that I don't own one! Even if I did, I have no idea how to use it. I should get my timing checked some day. I have no idea what timing is set at.

[Keith Novak]

It's an easy fix if and when you decide you like that connector for other uses. I had mine wired exactly like yours. One day the headlight mechanism sawed through the transponder wire and I had to splice it while lying in a puddle so I routed it through an existing hole directly below that blue connector with a rubber grommet in the hole to prevent chafing. I also used a blade and spade connector to attach the transponder so I could hook up the timing light when needed which is a lot easier than running a jumper cable to the battery. Using a timing light is very easy and necessary to do things like tune the motor, replace a CAS, etc.

[fishguyaz]

Alberto & others, this is all said with an informative A better place to mount your transponder is to the chassis inside/ahead of the rear wheel. Kind of zero potential for crash damage to the transponder.

shouldnt the transponder put up front on the car so when you win by a nose, you get credit for doing so; if my transponder is in the rear of the car, and the guy i just edged out by a nose has his transponder in the front of the car, he will show up on the T+S sheet as beating me.

[Cy Peake]

I pull the plastic cover off the bolt on the rear of the alternator to get power for the timing light.

[dmathias]

shouldnt the transponder put up front on the car so when you win by a nose, you get credit for doing so; if my transponder is in the rear of the car, and the guy i just edged out by a nose has his transponder in the front of the car, he will show up on the T+S sheet as beating me.

Dude - no, the back of the car is where you want your transponder. As far to the rear of the car as possible - yeah, that's it. I have mine in the front because I'm too lazy to move it.

[Ron Alan]

Good points. This location was far easier for me than the rear as I wanted switched power. I'm anal like that.

Interesting comment on the timing light. You can tell that I don't own one! Even if I did, I have no idea how to use it. I should get my timing checked some day. I have no idea what timing is set at.

I will be coming to Laguna to hang out...if i remember I will throw the T light in the car and we can set you up Alberto!

[Bench Racer]

shouldnt the transponder put up front on the car so when you win by a nose, you get credit for doing so; if my transponder is in the rear of the car, and the guy i just edged out by a nose has his transponder in the front of the car, he will show up on the T+S sheet as beating me.

Josh, the transponder is used for lap times only. Finishes are visual.

[Keith Novak]

Josh, the transponder is used for lap times only. Finishes are visual.

That depends. I'm told here, it's all based on the transponder and if you're close to note your position so you can argue it if needed. We have one track where start finish is over 1/4 mile from the timing strip.

[dstevens]

Having the transponder loop at any place other than Start/Finish is out of the ordinary. I've seen DA loops and beacons in other places around the circuit but can't recall any transponder loops that weren't at the finish line. At times we may have started at a different part of the circuit but we always finished at the loop. And were hand scored in cases where the two or more cars were in a pack. If T&S isn't hand scoring in cases like that they aren't doing a good job.

[Cy Peake]

The NER runs 4-5 race weekends at NHMS where the timing loop is coming out of T12 adjacent to the Timing&Scoring building, half a front straight before Start/Finish.

[Bench Racer]

That depends. I'm told here, it's all based on the transponder and if you're close to note your position so you can argue it if needed. We have one track where start finish is over 1/4 mile from the timing strip.

All said with a

Do you have a rule that specifies the location of the transponder? If you do not I will dought that the transponder is used for finish position.

Now if I wanted to argue, I would say if I had to be concerned that I had to argue my finish position I would take the point & get things changed.

[dstevens]

The NER runs 4-5 race weekends at NHMS where the timing loop is coming out of T12 adjacent to the Timing&Scoring building, half a front straight before Start/Finish.

Now that I think about it, the roval at Fontana was like that when I ran there. They hand scored us at the tri-oval on the last lap. Keith may be talking about Portland. I ran there quite a bit and we used the loop at the track crossing as the finish, not the CART start/finish. Don't know if it's changed since they repaved it.

[David S.]

I know this is old but thanks for sharing! I followed your steps and it made the install quick and easy.