Ignition Systems
Discussion
Have any of you Mini buddies on here any experience of mappable ignition packs for Carb Coopers?
I have been discussing the possibility of using a mapped ignition module on my 1990 car and there is a suggestion that such a module exists and that it's sold by an Aussie company. No other details.
The idea is that you set the car up using a lap top to advance/retard the ignition to give peak power on the rolling road at full throttle every 500 rpm from 3000 up to 6000. Then that data is logged and stored in the ignition chip. With the laptop you can advance in increments of about half a degree right through the entire rev range. This optimises the engine build spec rather than just use a commercial dizzy. It would overcome the difficulty sometimes experienced when you set optimum advance at 6000 rpm, then find the static advance is so high the engine won't turn over when hot at high C.R's.
It is believed that an extra 3 to 4 bhp can be obtained like this.
I have been discussing the possibility of using a mapped ignition module on my 1990 car and there is a suggestion that such a module exists and that it's sold by an Aussie company. No other details.
The idea is that you set the car up using a lap top to advance/retard the ignition to give peak power on the rolling road at full throttle every 500 rpm from 3000 up to 6000. Then that data is logged and stored in the ignition chip. With the laptop you can advance in increments of about half a degree right through the entire rev range. This optimises the engine build spec rather than just use a commercial dizzy. It would overcome the difficulty sometimes experienced when you set optimum advance at 6000 rpm, then find the static advance is so high the engine won't turn over when hot at high C.R's.
It is believed that an extra 3 to 4 bhp can be obtained like this.
Have a look at www.polestarsystems.com/. Not sure if hes the owner but i have hillclimbed with a chap involved with polestar, he had the kit fitted to his mini. Apparently Pete Baldwin used this set up a few years ago. I'm sure there are 1 or 2 others as used by the miglia boys.
Peter
I've got the weber alpha system on mine. It was installed by Mike at MBE, the same web address as before : www.mberaceengines.co.uk. The only problem with this system is you have to have the correct (i.e. weber supplied) equipment to set it all up.
I would look into something like Dave Walker's company Emerald as well, they do a reasonably priced ECU and they supply all the software for free.
Phil.
I've got the weber alpha system on mine. It was installed by Mike at MBE, the same web address as before : www.mberaceengines.co.uk. The only problem with this system is you have to have the correct (i.e. weber supplied) equipment to set it all up.
I would look into something like Dave Walker's company Emerald as well, they do a reasonably priced ECU and they supply all the software for free.
Phil.
jeffriesmullet said:
minispeed do 1
My experience with that lot tells me to keep well clear - 'nuff said there.
Phil, I'll look that up as well.
I emailed a friend in Oz and he's going to search their web sites and ask around.
Thanks for that.
I think it's the way to go to get optimim power, especially as with these Enduro Formula 1400 cars the electrical and ignition systems are free. Maybe I can try for about 85 bhp with that and the other bits we are allowed to do. That would put the power/weight ratio up to about a Rover 1.4ZR. It seems thar Rover are preparing a couple of those, so I guess they'll be a bit tweaked, although there is probably more scope for improvement with a Carb Mini bored to 1330 cc.
haynes said:
<snip>I'm sure there are 1 or 2 others as used by the miglia boys.</snip>
AFAIK most of the Mig's run Weber Alpha as a 2D system. They are not allowed to run a 3D (i.e. load sensing) system.
In a 2D system the input is crank position and speed, and the output is a timing trigger to the coil. The system I have is 3D as I have a throttle position sensor (a throttle pot). This allows ignition timing event to be offset against engine load as well as related to engine speed and crank position. Another engine load sensor is a Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor, or MAP sensor. These are also used in turbo applications to sense when the blower is "on boost". This is not to be confused with the settings programmed into the ECU, known as the map........
>> Edited by phil hill on Thursday 10th June 11:11
>> Edited by phil hill on Thursday 10th June 11:12
The VTEC conversion movement use a DTA engine management thats fully mappable using downloadable software.
Will work on any engine from 2 to 12 cylinders.
Its a great bit of kit.
www.dta-fast.co.uk I think.
Will work on any engine from 2 to 12 cylinders.
Its a great bit of kit.
www.dta-fast.co.uk I think.
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