Transponder mounting location/insight?

#1

I may be trying time trials in November at CMP, but of course I need to hook up a transponder. I noticed the AMB office is in Smyrna, has anyone been there?
When I get the transponder, where/how do I mount it?
Do all SpecE30s have to have it mounted in the same place?
I think I’m going to get the direct power type, but I have practically no car electric system knowledge/experience. I guess I need to buy some type of wire and connect in somewhere…?
Any instructions or best practices would be much appreciated.

#2

A good mounting point is where the horn is mounted just inside the front clip. There is a mounting post inside the front fender. You can make an l-shaped bracket out of 1 1/2 inch aluminum, about 4 inches long. Drill holes for zip ties, and the transponder has a clear path to the track. Done this on 2 cars. If you mount it on the passenger side, just run the wire up to the distribution block on the firewall for power and use the common ground on the shock tower.
Ed

#3

Any downside to having it inside on the frame rail? I didn’t like the fenderwell mount; it looks a bit too vulnerable to weather, debris and Spec 944 impacts.

#4

Mine’s on the passenger side facing down on a flat area between the frame rail and the wheel well, almost directly below the washer bottle/catch tank. Used two tech screws to mount it, and it’s fairly convenient to power and ground on the firewall/shocktower.

#5

drumbeater wrote:

Mine too (tho’ I was worried about tire rubber hitting it so I fabricated a small shield/deflector out of sheet aluminum and mounted that just behind the transponder.

#6

Here’s my mounting location on the passenger side inside frame rail (washer bottle at the bottom of the photo). Works fine even though it now points at the Factory 3 (Buy yours today! Operators standing by!) oil pan protector thingy.

Given the small price difference (as I remember it), I would never go with the battery powered version unless you had multiple cars. But if you have multiple cars why cheap out on the TX? :laugh:

Steve D.

#7

What’s a “tech screw” ?

#8

The bill your mechanic hands to you. :wink:

#9

Don Stevens told us to mount our transponder on a 2x4 hanging 3 feet out of the back of the trunk- I thought that was standard?

#10

Mine is mounted where the AC dryer used to be, you know that round hole behind the passenger side headlight. I riveted the transponder to two L brackets then used sheet metal screws to secure it to the body. I used the positive lead on the coil and the stock ground on the strut tower to pick up power.

#11

A tech screw (or Tek screw) is a self tapping sheet metal screw. I’m in the air conditioning business and thats what we call them. The sharp point type sheet metal screw we call zip screws. The Tek has a “drill bit” type tip on it and will go through thicker steel than the regular zip screw that is only good for sheet metal.

#12

drumbeater wrote:

Thanks, and thanks to everyone… I was thinking there would be one standard, but everyone seems to be doing something different.
I guess I’m leaning towards this tech screw solution. Kind of seems like a PITA to be fabricating mounts and all this other crud… I’m definitely NOT a fabricator in any way.:ohmy:

Any pics of solutions that don’t involve fabrication would be much appreciated… but I would happily pay a couple dozen bucks for a simple, or good pre-fab solution.

#13

If you locate the transponder over the hole where the receiver drier used to be, it is almost a stretch to call what’s needed fabrication. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a piece of 2"x1/8" aluminum strap. Form a piec of that into an L shape with one leg as long as the transponder and the other leg about 2". Drill holes in the longer leg and mount the transponder with machine screws and nuts. Mount the bracket to the body of the car with a machine screw or small bolt.