Hey, I'm a little ignorant on the function of ignition components. After reading the Haltech E11 manual, it states you can use a 'dumb' ignitor or a 'smart' ignitor like theirs. I imagine the factory FD ignitor is a 'dumb' one.



Does a CDI ignition box like an MSD replace the ignitor, or do you have to keep it? If I could attach the output of the E11 directly to MSD 6A's I could eliminate another 10 year old component under the hood. Any idea how much the Haltech 'smart' ignitors cost if it's not possible?

my msd's are wired into the factory ignitor and using the stock FD coils with my E6K. you need a whole bunch of MSD components to make it work with none of the factory stuff. how exactly you do that i am not sure lol

the factory fd (and fc) ignitors are dumb you have to tell it the dwell. a smart ignitior can figure that out for itself, thereby making it smarter than us because we dont know wtf dwell is, either



mike

so yo ucould not just replace the stock coile with say a blaster coil and hook up the msd 6al's to them? would you need an extra ignitor or something other than stock...





louis

dwell https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683561.gif You still have points ignition https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub..._DIR#>/sad.png

bump

Damn Im losing this one?! https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683561.gif

I remember reading in the haltech e6k book that you can just hook up direct to the MSD. I'm not sure exactly how but as far as I'm aware you should be able to do it without the ignitor. I think Poweraxle from the other forum is running a crane system direct without an ignitor. Now I donot know how this would work with the E11.

Nick

The E11 book doesn't mention anything, it only uses the word 'ignitor' and refers to the ones that Haltech sells. Whether an MSD is really a sophisticated ignitor I don't know. I guess I should ask MSD and Haltech, shouldn't I? https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub..._DIR#>/dry.png

Dwell: The ignition dwell time is the length of time that the primary circuit is turned on prior to each cylinder firing. The internal module circuit determines the actual time that the primary circuit is closed (dwell time). Primary circuit dwell time is important because the primary current must flow long enough to allow the magnetic field to build up in the coil. The dwell time is not adjustable because the module determines when the circuit is closed.





layman's terms: Dwell is the amount of time(in rotational degrees) the coil has to charge up before it sends the spark

Is the required dwell time set by the coil or the ignitor, CDI, etc. ? In other words, would better coils charge faster, or does the ignition computer limit how fast the coils charge? MSD told me the DIS-4 can't charge the coils fast enough to be used on its own on a rotary.

don't *dwell* on it



sorry couldn't resist https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png

on our cars, it's the ignitor that controls dwell. To build a "real" race ignition, the only stock parts used would be the crank sensors, everything else would be aftermarket components.

What about HKS twin power? Are they any better than the MSD's? https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683561.gif

twinpower is way easier to install just plug in. it works pretty good too. the MSD's can be more powerful though

do you have to regap your spark plugs for the twin power?

have you ever seen a rotary plug. the gap is not adjustable https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...R#>/tongue.png

hmmm........ never paid any attention to that

sure they are, just grind down the four sides with a teeny tiny baby dremel!!! https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683785.gif

so, what do you think is the better buy.. MSD or twin power?

MSD 6al's have ignitor's built into them. You can trigger it with the haltech directly.

You'll have to setup your ignition properly in the haltech software. SO yes you can trigger msd's

without the factory ignitor.