D
ATA
M
AXX
S
USPENSION
P
OSITION
S
ENSOR
Overview:
The suspension position transducer is designed to measure suspension movement during the entire data
acquisition recording period, however for drag race purposes we are primarily interested in the
suspension movement immediately following the initial launch.
The transducer can be used to measure either the front or rear suspension travel. There would normally
be two transducers for the front of the vehicle and or two transducers for the rear of the vehicle. It is
possible to use only one transducer on the rear suspension centered above the rear axle housing, but it
is decidedly better to utilize two transducers in this application, one on the left rear and one on the right
rear. As the suspension moves either up or down relative to its static at rest position, the data recorder
will record these movements.
Part Numbers:
#8050
Shock Travel Sensor Kit
Installation:
Proper installation requires considerable thought to provide repeatable results without causing potential
damage to the transducer.
Determine a suitable mounting location directly above the desired suspension member. The transducer
has two mounting holes which will accommodate
¼
” bolts. Be careful to locate the transducer exactly
above the desired suspension member. An example of this would be to mount the transducer to the
underside of the upper frame rail, cross member, or floor pan directly above the axle housing. Make
certain you will be able to mount the transducer for the opposite side of the suspension (i.e.: one on the
left rear and one on the right rear) the same distance from the center line of the vehicle so that the
difference in readings between the transducers will truly represent actual suspension movement
differences and not skewed readings caused by differing mounting locations.
The overall wire rope travel of the transducers string potentiometer is approximately 10.5 inches. The
distance between your transducer mounting location and your axle housing/suspension location will
likely be greater than 11 inches. To accommodate this you will need an extension attached to the wire
rope eyelet of the transducer. To determine the length of the required extension you must first install
the transducer in the desired location as described above. With the vehicle in a race ready state, sitting
on a level pad, measure the distance from the eyelet on the transducer to the mounting location you
have chosen on the axle housing/suspension location. Subtract 5 inches from this measurement to
determine the actual length of the required extension. By subtracting 5 inches from the static at rest
distance as describe above, when the extension is connected to the transducer it will pull the
transducers wire rope to its mid-range. This will allow actual suspension movement measurements
either up or down approximately 4 inches, which should accommodate most drag race suspension
Copyright c 2008 Computech Systems Inc. 31