ignition

[manny]

it was suggested to me to add some type of CD box with matching coil to really help in the upper rpm range.

[billf]

Manny,

Be careful when considering ignition systems for a four cylinder engine, as it's different from sixes and eights in one important respect. Your motor probably won't see much over 6,000 RPM, which is the equivalent of 3,000 RPM in a V8 (count the number of sparks being generated per minute). Any ignition will support a V8 at that low an engine speed.

On my BS car of the seventies, I ran single contact points at 9,600 RPM. That would not have worked on a V8 of the period...they needed double-contact point-ignition systems to work above 7,000 RPM. The problem was decreasing dwell time for the coil, as RPM increased with sixes and eights...the spark became weaker.

You should concentrate on having a powerful coil, well insulated wires, and a simple ignition system with proper heat range plugs. Fixed advance (Duraspark, TFI, or even a converted GM HEI will work fine. HEI had a bad reputation for weak spart at high RPM (on V8s...see paragraph above), but they work fine on fours. Parts for the above are cheap, available at ANY parts store, and proven. I've used all three systems on 2.3 Fords.

Ignition should be set at maximum advance for the highest speed the engine will attain, and then fixed solid. Starting procedure changes, if you have any difficulty at all. In the North, we have some difficulty during cold temps (below 45 deg F.) Crank the engine with the ignition OFF, then flip the switch to ON while the engine is cranking. No Problem.

Hope this helps.

Good racing,

Bill

[manny]

Thanks Bill. Next thing for me is to learn about plug temps