Hungry for Power!

[Peter Hills]

In his interesting article in the May 2014 Stag Mag, Chris Spain (aka VMad) gives an example of an ignition timing map. Can he, or anyone else, give any more details of a mapped system that could be used for a Stag? One potential problem which would need to be addressed is the need – or otherwise – for a toothed timing wheel on the front of the engine – to give the mapped system its basic reference. Unfortunately, using a locked mechanical distributor leaves one of the weakest parts still in the system. Also, is the ‘mapping’ software controlled – and hence settable on a rolling road – or by selection of one of a range of pre-set maps?


Peter H

[Ian Durrant]

The after market mappable ignitions just use the distibutor to give a reference, either from a set of points or another type of distributor run trigger. When revs are rising rapidly I am guessing they interpolate values so as to give a smooth progression. Certainly no trigger wheel is used.

[Ian Durrant]

Sorry missed part of your post, the aldon amethyst system and the accuspark mappable are programmable using a laptop.

[flying farmer]

The Megasquirt system I am using on the Stag engine TR has fully programmable ignition, it is using the existing lumenition as a trigger, but the distributor does have to be locked up, not a huge job to do but getting the relationship between the rotor arm and distributor cap contacts took some thought!

Neil

[stagmuffin]

I have just taken delivery of a 123 ignition system which is fully mappable it comes pre-set with two curves which you can switch between on the move and it is ported for usb connection to a laptop to allow dynamic tuning ,im looking forward to fitting it .you can go to WWW.123ignition.nl and download the latest software to give you an idea of what can be achieved it is a reworked stag dizzy the vac is removed and it is fitted with a port for the hose so manifold depression can be checked against installed values .
Steve

[KOY 23]

I also am using a fully mapped Megasquirt for fuel and ignition. Mine is sensed from a toothed wheel behind the crankshaft pulley. The mapping is fully software controlled.

[73stagman]

I am using Accuspark's Stealth system. Now I've worked it out its easy to adjust a part of the timing curve. It would now be worth using a rolling road to map the system properly along with the carb settings to get a fully tuned system. One bit on its own is not the full answer in my opinion.

[Stagsongas]

This is something I could do with exploring. My car runs on LPG with a much higher octane rating (approx 120) so more timing advance can be used, but with the standard distributor if you go more than 15 deg. the engine is much more difficult to crank due to the early spark. I stuck with 13 deg as it's not a racing car anyway.

With a fully mappable system I'd be able to retain easy starting and access better performance at RPM above idle.

But where does it all end