Ditch That Dizzy - Distributerless ignition on Boxers

[33gold]

Just to start the thread, I am installing a Ford EDIS ignition system controlled by an aftermarket ECU; Thanks to another forum member Baldy.

Baldy, you want to kick this thread off mate?

[baldy]

MegaJolt Lite Jr. - Programmable Ignition Controller

The MegaJolt Lite Jr. is a programmable ignition controller designed to work in conjunction with the Ford EDIS module. The two combined creates a stand-alone, fully programmable, crank-fired and distributor-less ignition system for 4, 6 or 8 cylinder engines.

All cars of the pre ecu era which used distributors,to controll the ignition timing were a bit of a compromise ie type of fuel used octane rating etc. A safe distributor curve will of been used in mass production to allow for this!!
MegaJolt Lite Jr. is a programmable ignition controller that allows you to set the timing for optimum perpormance throuout the rev range. A final rolling road test will let you or the rolling road operator dial it in for near perfect timing/performance. you can use it with carbs as i do, or other standalone fueling systems.

[dave33]

Sounds very interesting....

Any chance of some pictures of the installation?
Any significant issues in installing it?

Many thanks
David F

[33gold]

There are many aftermarket ECU's avaialable but Megajolt is relatively inexpensive if you just need to control just ignition (i.e. have carbs not injection)

You basically weld a crank disk which has 36 sprockets and one missing (thats how it knows rotation degrees) to the crank pully. You get software and program it from a laptop to get precise advance related to rpm plus it takes into account load, either vacuum of TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) so ignition can be set in the optimal postion throughout the rev range (sorry if I repeated Baldy's, had a few glasses of wine over dinner). I'll post a pic of crank and sensor.

[33gold]

You mate this up to an ignition module that senses where the crank is and fires a spark at certain degrees, it uses a wasted spark principle that fires two cylinders at once (one at compression and the other at BDC) this way it only needs to know about TDC and it will always hit a cylinder at TDC on compression; assuming you get the leads the correct way round.
Basically you get 'Fast and the Furious' gadgets for your 1980's Alfa (with lack of turbo tuning of course ) Software is included.

[33gold]

Doh, pic didn't come out, although I can see it fine . Margaret River Wine is great

One type of trigger wheel you can weld onto your crank pulley

[baldy]

Hi, here are a few photos of my instalation.

[dave33]

Hey that's brilliant guys, a very interesting set of tweaks.
Was there a noticeable performance change ?

(I'll also have to see if there is any Margaret River wine in my local wine shop !!!)

Cheers & thanks again !

[baldy]

MY 1.7 16v boxer was a -spin-splutter-splutter kind of starter which would often stall a couple of times before finally running reliably.
It always had a stumbly tickover.
Pick-up from tickover required a sensitive foot if it wasn't to bog.

My reason for fitting MJLJ were reliability, economy, waterproofness and the ability to run separate curves for differant octane premium petrol.

Apart from fitting Carbs/Megajolt/EDIS, I have changed the plugs and leads. That's it.

Post MJLJ:
1. Starting: After turning the engine over TWICE it burst into life.
2. Tickover: Smooth, steady and reliable.
3. Pick-up off idle: Brilliant! then it really picks up fast.
4. Timing: With EDIS in limp-home mode it's rock-solid 10deg advance, with MJLJ plugged in there is a smoooth advance curve.
5. Great fuel economy when cruising

To say that I am pleased is an understatement.

[cameron]

what about if i dont have tps on my carbs and how dose it pick up the vacum(with a hose or is it electronicaly) also WHERE CAN I GET ONE

[Greek]

33gold just create a full guide with pictures on everey steps for the rest to come.....

[mximus]

A guide would be nice, i have a bit of a weak start on mine too so this could be the answer. Was it very difficult/expensive to install and setup? I was reading on the MJLJ site that one would need to get the ford EDIS from a scrapped car, is it hard to get? (the site said something about them being expensive to get new).
cheers

[33gold]

My bits arrived by airmail yesterday, I will post some pics of the components before they are installed. All the parts cost about $400 including airmail charges. ECU, 36-1 wheel and TPS were new, rest is secondhand. there are installation guides etc. at Main Page - Autosport Labs

[33gold]

Here are the bits, will try and drop the engine and mount the sensor plus get the crank pulley off and weld on the 36-1 wheel this weekend. As Baldy's diagram shows pretty easy to install, will install without Megajolt so the limp home 10 degree advance kicks in to see if it works first before programing any advance curves etc. I also need to weld up a fracture in the exhaust and get new engine mounts as last weekends trip led to the exhaust being fractured about 300 degrees round the pipe just where it joins the last 2 sections into one. Must be the increased torque and worn mountings .

[33gold]

Lowered the engine today to get access to the crank pulley. Took off the pulley, welded on the trigger wheel (brown spots are weld heat marks). One thing I forgot was that the crank pulley has no woodruff key etc. so slim possibility that it might spin. So I drilled and put a pin in cam pulley and crank pulley so it can't move (should have taken pic, sorry). Made a sensor bracket out of some nice thick ali works a treat. so snsor and trigger in place now, see how it fits nicely between alternator/water pump belt.