boosted ignition problems, and fixes

[1slickRED89]

yeah, something small like that. but that might be a big deal for the DIS though, I put a 8 gauge grounding wire on it but it didn't seem to help. also, the coil does not really ground though the mount anyway. the electron 'source' is though a spark in one cylinder and the ground is a though spark in another. the coil can float electrically and still fire.

thats the same reason that if one where to ground one side of the secondary, one would get twice the available voltage on the other side

 

[1slickRED89]

did a little test today, looks like the coils I want to use give no less than 30,000 volts, they are off a 5.4L 3V.

thats the equivilant of a 70+KV coil in the stock setup, considering the capactive losses in the wires. still a few loose ends to test, but it's looking good so far.

 

[1slickRED89]

everything works on the bench, I'll see if it works on the car too, this week.

double DIS:

coil on plug and COP wiring

5.4L coil with new boot

 

[SHO Dude]

In all my boosted cars, I run a MSD DIS-4. It's about $400 and takes 45min to install. This thing pumps up the coil primary voltage to about 480v and a butt-load of joules. It's got some cool features built in as well, soft touch rev limiter, timing retard, two step and so on. Very nice piece.

 

[1slickRED89]

does that make the DIS hot? seems like more primary voltage would cause the DIS to run hotter, as it is switching on-and-off more wattage. ever burn one out?

I'm worries about burning up these small-little coils, 5.5 amps per channel is alot of juice. they got noticable warm to the touch on the bench tester, but i would think all coils get a bit warm.

 

[1slickRED89]

I can't get a break, looks like the two DIS moduals are not in-sink, one side must be running diffrent timing than the other, somehow. I will toss a timing light on it sometime and see for sure.

it sound like holy-**** coming down the road though, pffff-wooosh whup-whup-whup

 

[Toolman]

Have you thought about scrapping the whole thing and going back to all stock parts? I have yet to have a problem with the stock setup on my turbo (granted, I have magnecore wires and copper plugs, but everything else is bone-stock)

 

[1slickRED89]

Have you thought about scrapping the whole thing and going back to all stock parts? I have yet to have a problem with the stock setup on my turbo (granted, I have magnecore wires and copper plugs, but everything else is bone-stock)

I may have too, no doubt. But, I did everything I could for the stock setup, either something is wrong with my DIS, or coil. but when I swap them out the with good parts, the problem doesn't go away. .

at least now I have some wicked sparking power, I just need to get it timed right. I can detect the problem at idle so I can see with my timing light the spark advance difference between say 1 and 5, since they run off different DIS modules.

 

[NCTaurusSHO]

we had a car come into the shop.. a 91 sho... with the same problems that you have stated. A complete engine bay wiring harness cured the problem. Even cured it on my 89 before it was turbo'd.

 

[1slickRED89]

A complete engine bay wiring harness cured the problem. Even cured it on my 89

looks like thats the level I may be on, might need a new harness. I simply assumed that this was due to something I had modified.

looks like the two DIS modules are not in-sink, one side must be running different timing than the other, somehow. I will toss a timing light on it sometime and see for sure.

I was wrong, at least at idle they are dead-nutz the same, I'm get 10-12 deg. BTDC on either bank. getting a timing light on a COP setup is a tough one It also passed the 2.5% cylinder balance test. back to the drawing board, anyway, the more stuff I fix the closer it is to working properly...

also, the only code I get (minus EGR,BOO and OD SWITCH) KOER is 225 for the knock sensor, so the two DIS mods. don't really mess with the EEC too much.

 

[1slickRED89]

an unwelcome remnant of my spark plug wire days, a chunk of the boot broke off and prevented the COP from fitting all the way down on cylinder 4. one step closer now, it revs STRONG to the 6000 RPM shift point now. much smoother too, is that not wierd?

will install some fresh plugs (I scored some autolite racing plugs) and have another go at it.

top: new AR3924
bottom: new AR3924 with the boot chunk from the broken wire.

 

[SHOracer14]

Awsome... I can't wait to see this ting tomorrow!

 

[luigisho]

an unwelcome remnant of my spark plug wire days, a chunk of the boot broke off and prevented the COP from fitting all the way down on cylinder 4. one step closer now, it revs STRONG to the 6000 RPM shift point now. much smoother too, is that not wierd?

will install some fresh plugs (I scored some autolite racing plugs) and have another go at it.

top: new AR3924
bottom: new AR3924 with the boot chunk from the broken wire.

Wait, are you saying you converted from waste spark coil pack to coil on plug? If so why? I'd love to convert my GenIII back to using coil packs!

 

[1slickRED89]

look at page one.

 

[Mac]

You crazy Ohioians and your good ideas! Looks nice!

 

[1slickRED89]

thanks mac, but I'm not convinced this car was a good idea.

 

[1slickRED89]

When for a ride with Jim (thanks for the extra coil ) and he noticed the the WBO2 pegs low at less than 10.4:1, that whats good about having a fresh set of eyes look at a problem. will look at leaner tweecer programs next.

looks like I'm out of the hardware problems and into software problems now. If I can get it running good I might trust it enought to go to tennessee in July.

 

[SHOracer14]

When for a ride with Jim (thanks for the extra coil ) and he noticed the the WBO2 pegs low at less than 10.4:1, that whats good about having a fresh set of eyes look at a problem. will look at leaner tweecer programs next.

looks like I'm out of the hardware problems and into software problems now. If I can get it running good I might trust it enought to go to tennessee in July.

Heck yeah! This car is awsome! It doesn't even matter that it is not quite running right yet. The design and workmanship of this setup is just amazing. It was a real treat to see it today. Thanks for having me and I look forward to my 93's buildup.

 

[1slickRED89]

since the COP appears to be working properly I'll share the wiring. this is a cheap way to boost ignition power from ~22,000 volts to 30,000 volts. I have about $0 dollars (but 2 weeks of work) in it as I used all old parts.

the coils could come from anything as long as it has enough output, but I can tell you 5.4L 3V coils are pretty nice and give plenty of zap.

 

[ohioshodude]

wow i am really impressed. you guys are scaring me with supercharging my 91. first i think i can do it and then read a thread like this and get cold feet! i still have one on the way but may need help from fellow crazy ohians!