at what point do you upgrade your ignition system?

X

xplo89gt

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#1

• Aug 29, 2004

• #1

I'm just curious as when it is beneficial to upgrade your ignition system. My setup is in my sig. I've seen many people with ignition boxes, etc in their sigs and im wondering does it really help and at what point does it? or is it basically just another mod you can do.... I assume it really doesn't do much with mild setups.

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

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#2

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• #2

Some say it does and some say it doesn't with mile moded cars. I think it is nessasarry when you have boost or spray.

 

giddyup306

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Oct 22, 2002

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#3

• Aug 30, 2004

• #3

xplo89gt said:

I'm just curious as when it is beneficial to upgrade your ignition system. My setup is in my sig. I've seen many people with ignition boxes, etc in their sigs and im wondering does it really help and at what point does it? or is it basically just another mod you can do.... I assume it really doesn't do much with mild setups.

Click to expand...

Hard telling. I know an electrical geneus that claims it does nothing. FWIW this guy is a WORLD CLASS ASE tech (one of like 45). Very very very smart guy. But I had argued with him for about 10 minutes as to why OEM had gone to multiple spark systems like the MSD setups.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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#4

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• #4

not unless you have a power adder (gas or F/I) as Jason said, or you are churning out some serious numbers. as i recall the stock set up should be good for 300Hp.

i would do it if i was having to close off the plug gap too much or was misfiring (power adder snuffing the spark).

that said, i dont see how it could hurt at all if you feel the desire.

 

Michael Yount

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Apr 10, 2002

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#5

• Aug 30, 2004

• #5

Boost, spray or high rpm operation can all benefit from ignition upgrades; but for naturally aspirated 5.0's that don't see more than the ecu cutoff in revs (6250), the stock ignition is sufficient.

 

X

xplo89gt

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#6

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Thanks for the responses. It was always one of those questions lingering on my mind that I always forgot to ask.

 

Michael Yount

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#7

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Most folks will add a high-po coil -- mine has a Ford Racing unit that the previous owner added. Otherwise it's stock - MSD cap and rotor; FRPP wires.

 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

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#8

• Aug 30, 2004

• #8

It's a good idea of course to keep your ignition system in proper order...fresh spark plugs, wires, rotor, cap, coil, etc...when it comes to the rotor, cap and all I would go with pure motorcraft on them...

Kind of off topic question here...but is there anyway I can tell if I still have my factory rpm rev limiter "engaged" without actually reving it to 6200rpm...? Just for a piece of mind type of thing...

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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#9

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5spd GT said:

Kind of off topic question here...but is there anyway I can tell if I still have my factory rpm rev limiter "engaged" without actually reving it to 6200rpm...? Just for a piece of mind type of thing...

Click to expand...

given the headaches people go through to eliminate the stock limiter, i would bet it is still there. i would not go lookin for it - shutting fuel off to a couple cylinders on a motor at redline is not nice. the stock tachs can be somewhat optimistic, so some see 7K rpm, per the stock tach, before the limiter kicks in.

Michael, on a stockish motor, do you think there is something to be gained from a hi-po coil? ive thought about it, but did not ever bring myself to cough up the 50 bucks for one (i was thinking MSD - though the noise issues sound kinda sucky, or a Crane coil - if i was to run an aftermarket ignition, that would be my choice for features and cost).

 

Michael Yount

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#10

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JT - probably a peace of mind thing more than anything else on a stockish motor. You know the saying - if it ain't broke, spend the money on the motorcycle.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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#11

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Michael Yount said:

JT - probably a peace of mind thing more than anything else on a stockish motor. You know the saying - if it ain't broke, spend the money on the motorcycle.

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thanks Michael! the cars have been going South one by one. so im not doing elective work at all. im trying to figure out troubleshooting on an OBD-II electonic trans. nuff' to make my head swim.

thanks for the info. ill leave well enough alone (esp since i shift at 3K - doubt a coil would make any diff').

 

IndyBlk5.0

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#12

• Aug 30, 2004

• #12

I'm just going to do a standard Crane Hi-6 ignition system with my blower motor. I was concidering a BTM, but they don't seem to do much. They are also not even ignitions....

 

Michael Yount

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#13

• Aug 31, 2004

• #13

GrassRoots Motorsports did a before and after dyno test of a Jacobs High Energy Ignition system on their 5.0L project car. They claimed to pick up 6.0HP and 12 lb-ft at peak, with torque gains all the way across the rev range. The car had P heads/intake/exhaust/cam.

 

D

Daggar

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#14

• Aug 31, 2004

• #14

My question is: What do I need to do to ditch the stock (fuel) Rev limiter? I just finished my SC install and am looking at installing either an MSD or a Crane ignition with electronic rev limiter. I'm gun shy about the stock limiter. I have visions of the thing cutting my fuel under boost and shooting the pistons through the hood.

 

Michael Yount

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#15

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• #15

Chip/tweecer(is it available for SD? probably not)/eec tuner - you have to alter it in the ecu to turn it off, at least in the mass air systems. Don't know it works that way in SD or not.

But looking at your set up, and especially with non-centrifugal blower, I doubt you'd gain anything by twisting it that high. I suspect your power peak will be below the 6250 rpm limit.

 

D

Daggar

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#16

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Michael Yount said:

Chip/tweecer(is it available for SD? probably not)/eec tuner - you have to alter it in the ecu to turn it off, at least in the mass air systems. Don't know it works that way in SD or not.

But looking at your set up, and especially with non-centrifugal blower, I doubt you'd gain anything by twisting it that high. I suspect your power peak will be below the 6250 rpm limit.

Click to expand...

You're absolutely correct. I woulnd't gain anything by exceeding that RPM. My only concern is hitting that fuel wall in the heat of battle (so to speak). I suppose I could isntall the new ignition and set the electronic retard to 6000? What you think?

 

Michael Yount

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#17

• Aug 31, 2004

• #17

"I suppose I could isntall the new ignition and set the electronic retard to 6000? "

Bingo!