Need help deciding on a pyrometer
 

So I'm going Spec Miata next season. Need some help choosing a pyrometer. The simple longacre pyrometers don't actually seem to store the temp if I read the description correctly:

http://www.longacreracing.com/instru...xt/50640PI.pdf

It seems that only the larger more expensive units save actual temps:

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...id=193&catid=7


What do you guys use and how do you use them?

Thanks.

Hi Alberto,

I have the Intercomp pyrometer, it's a really nice tool that I haven't used very much. Honestly, as you're just getting started, I'd spend my money on a high quality tire pressure gauge and a good alignment rather than on a pyrometer. You can always come by and borrow my pyrometer. I was able to sort out my cold temps by asking Niles... As for an alignment, I thought Tim Barber (TFB Performance Automotive at Infineon) did a great job with my car.

Guy

I use the memory one and it's great. It stores and displays all 12 temps at once, which is pretty handy, and lets you store several sets of readings.

I actually use a very simple Intercomp (I think, had it so long I cant remember even where I got it) pyrometer and a clipboard for tire temps. The way I use the pyrometer is:

Crew guy A has TIRE pyrometer, an infrared pyrometer, and a tire pressure gauge.
Crew guy B has a clipboard and pen (that works),
Crew guys A&B station themselves as close to pit-in as possible, like the very first pull-off space. You have to ask the stewards nicely about this, most, but not all, will allow your crew guys with credentials to take up a station pretty close to pit-in temporarily to get tire temps.
Car comes in to the hot pits at speed, slowing as little as possible and stopping as close to pit-in as possible, where the crew guys are.
Crew guy A goes to the first tire, usually the drivers front, but this depends on the track really, and takes the inner, middle, and outer temps, calling them off to the clipboard holder. He then takes the brake rotor temp, and the tire pressure, calling these off to the clipboard guy.
Crew guys A and B rotate through the tires, the order can be determined on the track layout and speeds.

Couple other things to remember is to ALWAYS use the exact same tire pressure gauge while at the track, and NEVER EVER allow it to be dropped or thrown down on the pavement. This ensures consistent and meaningful tire pressure readings. Also, the infra-red pyrometer is useless for meaningful tire temps, but is very useful for brake rotor temps. If you are dialing in brake bias(and I am not sure you can in SM) you shuld also use temp paints and caliper strips to help you.
Record everything and learn to do so in a meaningful way.

Thanks gents. I don't have "crew" so I can't count on having extra hands when testing and tuning.

Thanks for the offer Guy. I will indeed keep my money for now if I can use yours when needed.

I have heard of TFB from various people now. He will be getting my business when the time comes.

You need somebody to take the temps. By the time you roll back to the paddock to take them you've lost what you care about. And make sure you use a needle/probe pyro for tires. And I agree about Tim @ Sears Point, but Tony & Joe @ TC Design Fab are easier for me to get to even if he doesn't use the super-fancy machine to do the alignment.

If you ask Ron @ AIM real nice I bet he'd hook you up with "real close" numbers for tire pressure and alignment, and Tim @ TFB will hit those alignment numbers for you...

^Thanks for the input. I suppose you are correct now that I think about it some more.

I didn't realize Tony at TC did alignments. I have an appt there for my cage.

we use the memory one too. not only can i not remember that many numbers, but getting the temps quickly is kind of important.

we've been running 25's, so the schedule is a little weird, but we rebuild the car, align it on a machine, and then we'll make adjustments at the track. we're always looking for a better setup, and also thunderhill and infineon are different setups too.

we do also have camber and toe plates, and thunderhill actually has a couple of flat pads to set the car up on.

we kind of let tire temp set the pressures, which seems to be the reverse of everyone else.

if you've never driven the car though, align, and plan on not touching it much right away

Also you need to buy and read all of Carroll Smith's "_________ to win" books.

Thanks. I have them. Been buying and reading those books for the last 20 years while doing HPDE and a brief stint kart racing. Time to do it. :)

Can't see it on the pyro product page, have the round longacre 12 memory pyro cum air pressure gauge which was around the same price.....having seen an IR array trace and temp drop off within a few metres of a corner, I sometimes think everyone's kidding themselves to a certain extent, no matter how close pit entry is to the last corner.

Another option:

http://www.opti-grip.com/Opti-grip/Opti-Grip.html