cheapest ignition only computer??

[1jzracing]

jsut as the title suggests

who knows of a cheap ignition only setup i can put on a webber carby race engine with a dizzy

i know a few people do them like haltech. but haltech are usually bit overpriced

i dont mind making it up like those ones a few people talk about - adaptronic?? or is it megasquirt??

please let me know who deals them in nsw too

cheers

[thechuckster]

I have an unbuilt Megajolt Lite Jr ECU and board - but the software to drive it (java application) is about 2 yrs old. I'll try to find some links and post to see if worthwhile.

You could just get an older haltech and simply ignore the fuel side of the ECU?


edit: you don't want my spark ECU as it also needs and EDIS ignition box to run the coils and interface to a VR crank sensor looking at a 32 tooth wheel.

edit 2: links to the designer's site. and software.

My Board is an earlier generation.

[Forcefed6]

Haltech no longer do the IG5 (ignition only computer), therefore the only option for one of these is second hand. And now days they are getting harder and harder to find for this reason.

[celicapain]

have a look at crane/msd/mallory, they offer a variety of digital ignition controllers. otherwise just keep scrolling around ebay.

[chris davey]

Apexi SITC went for $100 second hand on soarer central the other day. Unsure if they work with dizzy cars though.

[jezza323]

seen some cheap EMS ecu's around lately.....maybe a stinger and just dont connect the fuel upto anything?

[The Witzl]

jaycar is bringing out a programmable ignition kit, basically a stand alone ignition computer.

These arent out yet.... but the parts will be as follows:

KC5442 - $89.95 - programmable high energy ignition kit
KC5443 - $44.50 - Ignition coil driver
KC5444 - $16.95 - knock sensor kit

programming is done with the KC5386, $59.95 - hand controller.


Megasquirt is of course the other option

[1jzracing]

I have an unbuilt Megajolt Lite Jr ECU and board - but the software to drive it (java application) is about 2 yrs old. I'll try to find some links and post to see if worthwhile.

You could just get an older haltech and simply ignore the fuel side of the ECU?


edit: you don't want my spark ECU as it also needs and EDIS ignition box to run the coils and interface to a VR crank sensor looking at a 32 tooth wheel.

edit 2: links to the designer's site. and software.

My Board is an earlier generation.

this looks perfect, cheap too... anyone used one??? ... looks like it only works with wanky ford trigger and ignition module though

almost any of the aftermarket stand alones will do it, just want something cheap its only hack, but it has mega compression so its needs a carefully setup ignition curve

it has a basic reluctor pick up in the dizzy and runs a standard dumb igniter

dont like any of the yankee ones crane msd etc they cost too much, tend to be really antiquated in there design and limited functions

[oldcorollas]

for the reluctor, it is better to change the signal to digital using a zero-crossing detector like this

fixed from stupid hotlinking

(this is the megasquirt one which is on the V3 PCB.. for the V2.2 PCB you need to add it in..)
from here.. with a bit of a write up
http://caaarlo.50megs.com/

for good ignition, you'd be wanting the MS2, not the MS1. (ie, the updated processor). the V3 PCB is nice, but the V2.2 should also work.

or, use MS1 and run the MSnSE (megasquirt n spark extra.. or.. the "Extra code") which can decode different triggers...

if it is a dizzy with just trigger points.. MS2 will work fine.

[celicapain]

jaycar is bringing out a programmable ignition kit, basically a stand alone ignition computer.

These arent out yet.... but the parts will be as follows:

KC5442 - $89.95 - programmable high energy ignition kit
KC5443 - $44.50 - Ignition coil driver
KC5444 - $16.95 - knock sensor kit

programming is done with the KC5386, $59.95 - hand controller.


Megasquirt is of course the other option

i had a read through on the silicon chip article on this, seems like it will be a reasonable bit of kit. has either 2 switchable 11x11 ignition maps, or one 15x15 map.
also has a map sensor capability and looks like it will interface easier than the previous design of ignition controller. I'm going to have a fiddle with this when jaycar starts selling the complete kits.(too lazy to track down all the parts).

[1jzracing]

cheers stu

so what is the output signal of such a circuit?

that could be usful circuit for future projects, will that amplify a weak signal too?

i have had issues with weak signals from some engines like the 1ggt where an
aftermarket ecu will barly pick it up when cranking

the megasquirt II looks ok but it seams a wast to build a whole complete ECU and only use 1 small part of it, especially when i need to upgrade it to the II version

there must be something around with a triger input plus map or tps signal and dwell and igniter output with programmable table..... sounds simple enough

[1jzracing]

i had a read through on the silicon chip article on this, seems like it will be a reasonable bit of kit. has either 2 switchable 11x11 ignition maps, or one 15x15 map.
also has a map sensor capability and looks like it will interface easier than the previous design of ignition controller. I'm going to have a fiddle with this when jaycar starts selling the complete kits.(too lazy to track down all the parts).

these do sound like the go

any chance of posting the link or circuit??

how about programming or software etc?

[thechuckster]

1jzracing: if you went with the Megajolt Lite Jr the biggest problem would be locating the EDIS black box - there's plenty of coil packs that the unit can buy, but the actual black box unit has to come from the US or the UK.

Someone like this guy sells them. (i have a 4 and a 6 cyl unit if interested).

Why ignition only? Can the car be converted to run EFI?

[oldcorollas]

cheers stu

so what is the output signal of such a circuit?

that could be usful circuit for future projects, will that amplify a weak signal too?

i have had issues with weak signals from some engines like the 1ggt where an
aftermarket ecu will barly pick it up when cranking

as you can see (now i hosted the image ) there is 5V to pin 8...
but, the 5V is connected by the 4.7K resistor to the input of the optocoupler...

ie, the 5V and 4.7K is a voltage pullup for the opto, and the LM1815 grounds this to get a square wave (just like points).

since it is a zero-crossing detector, it will work with very low output from the reluctor. like a couple of hundred mV is enough (iirc i had 100-200mV and it still worked?),
and the output is either 0 or 5V (i think thats how the pull up works )

is a very useful circuit....

edit; there was a guy in Vic i think who was making ignition only boxes for LPG installations.... but the last time we contacted him, they weren't quite finished yet and he was rather slow... so i dunno what the situation is now (and i forgot the name )

[1jzracing]

cool!

so will that run an igniter directly with a 5v signal?
theres no way to set the dwell of the square wave for a dumb igniter to work (maybe that 2.2uf cap would adjust that???)

or will it just pull a wire to earth, most controllers like CDI's just need to see a momintary earth

getting closer, the Silicon chip one seems good

does anyone have a membership so we can see last months one??

edit: please copy and post up the circuit if someone does