Best ignition for CIS basic

[rsportvolvo]

I'm not a VW guy, but ya'll are the CIS masters. Anyways I'm running CIS on my Volvo 240 and I would like to know what the hot ignition setups are for the CIS cars. My stock ignition is Bosch breakerless and is a decent system, but I'm currently looking at the MSD 6AL2 with the computer programmable curves. Any other systems I should consider?

[shwah]

I have not found improvements over the stock bosch stuff on any VW applications.

[pfcs]

I expected you were pursuing the B23 larger/higher compression/MAF sensored electronically injected 83-85 motor.
What am I missing?

[loopracing]

I agree with Chris...Bosch system is all you need. Recommend the blue coil, red coil if you can find one (more sparks/minute). Good set of wires and iridium spark plugs. Revs to 6700 without a miss.

[rsportvolvo]

I have not found improvements over the stock bosch stuff on any VW applications.

What systems did you try?


I expected you were pursuing the B23 larger/higher compression/MAF sensored electronically injected 83-85 motor.
What am I missing?

Wrong expectation. Multiple reasons for sticking with the CIS. On the surface you are correct about the B23/230.


I agree with Chris...Bosch system is all you need. Recommend the blue coil, red coil if you can find one (more sparks/minute). Good set of wires and iridium spark plugs. Revs to 6700 without a miss.

Bosch Blue Coil is weaker than the stock coil. No can do. I have a Bosch Red Coil, good wires and Bosch silver plugs. Back in Sweden they run the Bosch Breakerless ignitions to upwards of 7500 rpm on stock engines.

My thought is that if I can get a programable ignition I can fine tune the advance curve to maximize power. It would be really nice to have an ignition with a MAP sensor so you can have a 3D ignition map that includes load (MSD 6AL2 P/N 6530). Probably only worth a few ponies, but that can be a lot in IT.

[Bill Miller]

Count me as another vote in favor of the stock Bosch stuff, at least on a VW.

[shwah]

I agree with Chris...Bosch system is all you need. Recommend the blue coil, red coil if you can find one (more sparks/minute). Good set of wires and iridium spark plugs. Revs to 9000 without a miss.

Updated based on experience with a high compression FP VW.

You can use a programmable ecu to alter the ignition timing with the stock ignition system...

[rsportvolvo]

Updated based on experience with a high compression FP VW.

You can use a programmable ecu to alter the ignition timing with the stock ignition system...

What Bosch ignition system and what ECU? My Volvo has the Bosch TSZ type and there really aren't any adjustments or an ECU per se.

[shwah]

Just control the coil from an aftermarket ecu, like megasquirt. You can retain the bosch ignition module to retain the original dwell values, or program the dwell into the ecu and remove it.

Our CIS-E system originally had a knock sensor control unit (controlled ignition) that communicated with the oxygen sensor control unig (the fuel computer). Initially we just removed the knock sensor control unit and ran fixed timing. Then came back and added programable control to tirgger the stock hardware.