Brake pressure sensor

#1

Has anyone hooked up a brake pressure sensor? If so, care to explain where they “teed” into? I have the sensor below, but haven’t gotten around to installing it.

https://store.gormanms.com/AIM-MXL-Brake-Pressure-Sensor.html

#2

I would think you should install the “T” between the master cylinder and ABS pump using the front or rear line. I don’t have this installed on my car (yet), but that’s how I’d do it… The hydraulics of it make sense to me.

#3

Gorman knows E30’s so I’d give them a call.

Pls take some pics of how you do this. I want to see how you modify the hydraulic lines to add a fitting.

#4

I have talked with Gormans, but they didn’t have any detailed instructions on installation.

I’m thinking about using something similar to this - http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/63072/10002/-1?parentProductId=1149934 as the tee connection.

Goal - I would like to not cut into any existing hardlines.

Looking at the diagrams below, a prime location to tie into would be on Rear System, #7 top line. Spin the line and tee into that. Screw the sensor to the tee. Then finish the connection with a stainless braided hose. Or if I’m feeling adventurous, fab a hard line.

Thoughts?

Front brake system:

Rear brake system:

ABS system:

#5

To get valid data you’ll need two sensors, one for the front circuit and one for the rear. For the front circuit I’d tie the sensor into the line from the master cylinder to the ABS unit. For the rear circuit I’d tie the sensor in after the bias valve.

#6

Pressure numbers front/rear won’t benefit me because I’m only looking for a baseline. Using this info, I’ll be able to measure how consistency I am braking and how much I’m braking etc.

#7

Less expensive answer: Just try to follow Cobetto, Allen, either of the young Robs, M. Davidson, Hunt, Goldwaite, Harrington , etc. in the Mid Atlantic region. Watch for their brake lights and follow accordingly.

RP

#8

Patton wrote:

[quote]Less expensive answer: Just try to follow Cobetto, Allen, either of the young Robs, M. Davidson, Hunt, Goldwaite, Harrington , etc. in the Mid Atlantic region. Watch for their brake lights and follow accordingly.

RP[/quote]

But I need technology to beat those guys. :lol:

#9

Robert, you always offer the best and easiest solutions. I’m starting to catch on that I should probably just drive the car and quit worrying about my setup problems…

#10

You could insert a banjo fitting (tee) between the master cylinder and the hard lines as well with a SS line coming off as a remote sensor.

#11

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1511865

You can call Ken Price (Kengineering) if you want more info. PM me for his phone #.

#12

And, once you think you’ve got it “going on,” go chase Anthony, or Skeen or Schwartz, or Curran or some of the West coast /East coast guys.

Geez they’re fast. The technology will only help you close the gap if you can run with the best.Stick with ample seat time to improve your game.

Not to mention,whose data do you have to compare with?

RP

#13

Rob in VA wrote:

I went with a foot cam to get that information. Combined with Traqmate g-force traces, I can get a good idea of what is happening with traffic (via my other camera) and whether that impacted my braking technique.

I have a bad habit of “nail it, let off, oops let off too much better scrub more speed” braking. The video makes that painfully obvious.

And when you completely miss the brake pedal and stuff the car in the tires, it makes for an entertaining video. That data trace would be much less interesting.:blink:

#14

Steve, maybe youse needs some mo seat time.
Or, like me, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

Rob in VA, good luck with the sensor.

RP

#15

Part #7 in the Rear plumbing pic doesn’t exist on most cars, so you might want to double-check that you have one of those. It’s last month was 5/87. I have one of the few I’ve seen on a SpecE30 because my build date is 4/87.

I agree on using data logger g data instead. Advantage 1) You don’t have to lift a finger since you already have a data logger. 2) Data is all about “comparing”. You can compare your braking g data with other people w/ the same data logger and compare apples to apples. Comparing your brake pressure to their braking g data isn’t going to be that useful.

Caveat, data logger calibrations can differ. For example Fred Switzer and Skeen’s Traqmates seem to agree but my data shows a little less longitudinal g’s. So when I compare to Skeen’s data I have to add a little acceleration and subtract a little braking from my data in order to compare with precision.

#16

Ranger wrote:

maybe more than a little to compare to skeen’s data :slight_smile: :laugh:

#17

kishg wrote:

[quote]Ranger wrote:

maybe more than a little to compare to skeen’s data :slight_smile: :laugh:[/quote]

Negative. He wasn’t fast because he had more acceleration. I’ve studied his data a lot. He was fast because he turned in impossibly early and then got on the gas.

#18

Z3SpdDmn wrote:

[quote]http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1511865

You can call Ken Price (Kengineering) if you want more info. PM me for his phone #.[/quote]

Thanks Anthony. That’s very helpful.

#19

Ranger wrote:

[quote]Part #7 in the Rear plumbing pic doesn’t exist on most cars, so you might want to double-check that you have one of those. It’s last month was 5/87. I have one of the few I’ve seen on a SpecE30 because my build date is 4/87.

I agree on using data logger g data instead. Advantage 1) You don’t have to lift a finger since you already have a data logger. 2) Data is all about “comparing”. You can compare your braking g data with other people w/ the same data logger and compare apples to apples. Comparing your brake pressure to their braking g data isn’t going to be that useful.

Caveat, data logger calibrations can differ. For example Fred Switzer and Skeen’s Traqmates seem to agree but my data shows a little less longitudinal g’s. So when I compare to Skeen’s data I have to add a little acceleration and subtract a little braking from my data in order to compare with precision.[/quote]

I have a 12/86 build. I’m only using the brake pressure to compare against myself. So I don’t have to worry about the calibration differences. G’s are good way, but I also plan to use brake pressure in the video data overlay.

#20

Ranger wrote:

[quote]kishg wrote:

[quote]Ranger wrote:

maybe more than a little to compare to skeen’s data :slight_smile: :laugh:[/quote]

Negative. He wasn’t fast because he had more acceleration. I’ve studied his data a lot. He was fast because he turned in impossibly early and then got on the gas.[/quote]

The ‘kid’ can drive. That’s for sure.