Motorsport Data Logging Expansions

Motorsport Data Logging System: Must-Have Expansions

When setting up or upgrading your motorsport data logging system, adding the right expansions can significantly enhance data acquisition and analysis capabilities. While lap timers and displays are the heart of any successful motorsport setup, expanding your system with specialised components can help fine-tune performance, improve diagnostics and optimise your race setup.

In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the must-have motorsport data logging expansions that we recommend. Whilst not all of these expansions will be necessary depending on what you want to achieve, we hope it gives you an idea about which Aim expansions you should consider.

8 Key Expansions To Consider

When it comes to choosing which expansions you might need to add to your motorsport system, it’s important to consider what your goals are in terms of what you want to get out of your data acquisition setup. Ask yourself questions like: Do I want to improve data collection capacity, monitor additional metrics with sensors and gauges or enhance the capabilities of my Aim display?

Once you have an idea about what you want to achieve, you will have a better understanding of which expansion will cater to your motorsport needs. Below, we have compiled 8 of our favourite data logging expansions to expand the range of data you can collect, helping you gain deeper insights into your vehicle’s performance.

1. Pressure Sensor

Pressure sensors are a key element when it comes to ensuring vehicle safety and performance. At Aim, we stock a variety of pressure sensors to cater to various vehicle functions:

  • Oil/Fuel Pressure Sensor: This sensor precisely tracks oil and fuel pressure to ensure peak performance across a range of pressure options.
  • Brake Pressure Sensor: This sensor ensures accurate monitoring of brake pressure to achieve precision in braking dynamics and safety on the track.
  • Absolute Pressure Sensor: This sensor samples and records manifold air pressure (MAP), reading the pressure from -1 (depression) up to +4 absolute bars.

Overall, pressure sensors are a must-have addition to any motorsport setup. They can monitor critical vehicle metrics to ensure optimum performance, and they can even enhance vehicle safety by detecting issues such as leaks or other malfunctions before they become an issue.

2. Thermocouple Sensor

Thermocouple sensors measure critical metrics like engine, exhaust or cylinder head temperatures.

As the vehicle heats up during competitive motorsport environments, it’s important to ensure that no elements of the vehicle overheat. By using thermocouple sensors, drivers and teams can monitor these metrics to optimise engine performance and vehicle safety by detecting these potential issues before they become a problem.

3. Lambda Air/Fuel Ratio Controller

The LCU-One S Lambda Controller communicates with Aim devices via CAN, providing lambda value, air/fuel ratio, probe temperature and diagnostics parameters. Ultimately, the LCU-One is a critical expansion that accurately tunes the engine’s carburetion and monitoring of air-fuel ratios. It is particularly valuable for high-performance engines, where incorrect ratios can lead to loss of power.

4. CAN Keypad

CAN keypads can be a useful asset for motorsport drivers by allowing them to easily control and adjust vehicle systems, such as lights, pit speed limiters and windscreen wipers, in competitive racing environments.

At Aim, we have a wide range of remote button interface keypads, ranging from 4-button to 15-button keypads to cater to a variety of cockpits. All our keypads are fully customisable too, so you can create your very own keypad based on vehicle systems that are most important to you.

5. Shift Light Module

A shift light module is a useful expansion to add to competitive racing setups by providing visual cues for drivers to understand the optimal time to change gears. As a result, a shift light module can help the driver focus on the track without having to keep an eye on RPM gauges, it can help improve lap times and prevent the engine from over-revving unnecessarily.

At Aim, our shift light module not only displays RPM thresholds, but it can also display predictive lap times. This addition allows drivers to easily monitor whether they’re improving on their best lap time of the session.

6. Channel Expansion

If you’re working with multiple sensors, channel expansions are an invaluable addition to any motorsport setup. They allow motorsport teams to add various sensors, like the ones we’ve previously mentioned, to one central location.

At Aim, our channel expansion links up to 4 individual sensors, requiring only a single wire from the expansion hub to be connected to the display. This provides drivers and teams with a comprehensive overview of vehicle performance metrics directly on the display in real time.

Note: As shown in the image below, data hubs can be used to link channel expansions to the data logger or dash display as required.

Channel Expansion Connection Example

7. Data Hub

Much like how channel expansions expand the number of sensors that can be connected at one time, a data hub does the same thing, but for device connections. For example, you could connect a GPS module and Lambda Controller to a data hub, which can then be plugged into the Aim display.

Devices that are supported with the data hub include:

  • Channel Expansion
  • MyChron Expansion
  • GPS Module
  • LCU-One Lambda Controller
  • Memory Key
  • Data Key
  • SmartyCam
  • Aim Steering Wheels
  • Aim Displays

Note: Multiple data hubs can be connected to each other to expand data collection as shown in the image below.

Data Hub Connection Example

8. MX Strada Kit

The Aim MX Strada kit will turn any MX Strada display into a fully working data logger that can collect data to be analysed on Race Studio 3, ultimately helping to improve racing performance and identifying possible improvements in vehicle setup. With our most precise GPS09 module, Strada Logger and data hub, the MX Strada kit provides motorsport drivers with everything they need to enhance their data logging setup:

  • GPS09 Module: With an average tolerance of under 0.5 meters (1.6 feet), the GPS09 ensures precise vehicle tracking and positioning.
  • Strada Logger: An SD memory card module with the capacity to store up to 32GB of data.
  • Data Hub: A CAN connection network that can connect multiple expansions in one central location.

Motorsport Expansion Best Practices

Now that we’ve gone over 8 of the key Aim expansions that you should consider adding to your motorsport data logging setup, here are some tips and best practices to keep in mind when expanding your system:

  • Understand Your Needs: Start by identifying what data is the most important to your racing setup. Once you know which data you want to gather, it’ll give you a better idea about which data logging expansion best-suits your needs.
  • Avoid System Overload: While it’s tempting to add as many sensors and expansions as possible, ensure your data logger’s processing capacity matches the demands of your setup to avoid performance issues. If you’d like support or guidance on your motorsport setup, feel free to get in touch with our specialists.
  • Plan For Future Expansions: Choose devices, like the channel expansion module or data hub, to expand on the functionality of the setup without having to replace existing components.
  • Purchase From Trusted Suppliers: Always buy motorsport data acquisition products from reputable suppliers to ensure compatibility and durability.

Why Choose An Aim Data Acquisition Setup?

Aim is a trusted name in the motorsport industry due to their high-quality and versatile range of robust data logging devices and expansions to enhance data acquisition. Their ability to seamlessly integrate into any vehicle system (including various car, kart and bike setups) also makes Aim a go-to choice for drivers and teams worldwide.

Whether you are a professional racer or a motorsport enthusiast, Aim expansions can be just what you need to make a significant difference to your data logging system. Shop the range online today at Aim Shop or get in touch with one of our specialists – we’re always on hand to help.