Sourcing MegaSquirt parts, input on coils.

[tannji]

Hey guys.... I am in the middle of firming up a shopping list at DIYAutoTune, and I think I have that end covered, basically going the easy route and spending a few more dollars for new stuff so I don't have to hassle with Ebay. I was going to play with a 4 Cylinder swap.. but due to budget and time constraints, not to mention the desire to get going on my project, I am going to MegaSquirt my existing SBC with stock TPI fuel and ignition. I already bought an EDIS set of parts, but am thinking about using a different coilpack so I can easily obtain spark plug wires. I found this on Ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/Durango-coilpack

Anyone have any idea if these would work, perhaps as a pair using two banks?

Also, while it is certainly not a concern with the current engine, what EDIS module would I be looking for to raise the RPM threshold above 6600? Or, should I be looking at one of the other flavors of DIS for the higher limit? I do intend to get away from the current engine as soon as possible, and I will probably want/need a limit in the 7000 to 8000 RPM range.

 

While I am at it, see any thing in my list you might want to comment on or share advice on, seeing it is for a 1987 Camaro TPI setup?

 

405.00 MS II v3.57

88.00 MS Relay Board

70.00 MS Relay cable

5.50 MS Tune Cable

40.00 MS wiring bundle

6.50 MS TPS connector (GM)

22.00 MS 8-Pin HEI Module Pigtail (GM)

46.00 MS FI connector-Bosch

8.50 MS Shielded 20Gg 10'

289.00 LC-1 and G3 Analog gauge

 

Thanks, tannji

[Matt Cramer]

That auctioneer is really causing a lot of confusion with his generic stock photos. The coil pack in that photo looks nothing like an actual Durango coil. The application he's listed is in fact an engine with a distributor with a single coil.

 

The coil in the picture, however, looks like it's off of a four cylinder Ford Escort, Contour, or Focus, or maybe one of the two coils from an early 4.6 (they used two four banger coils working in tandem). Those would work.

 

Ford's stock EDIS-8 modules don't rev to 8,000 RPM. You'd be better off using direct coil control and eliminating the EDIS module. You can special order the MS-II built for direct coil control on a DIS setup. I take it you're planning for a future engine buildup, as I can't see a smallblock breathing through a stock TPI manifold at 8,000 RPM.

[mobythevan]

You should use the TPI distributor and coil setup for now. That is very easy to do and greatly simplifies the setup instead of doing EDIS. I have set up 3 TPI engines using the stock dizzy/8 pin HEI and they seem to run great. However, we don't rev them much over 5K.

 

I notice in your list you have an 8 pin HEI pigtail. If you doing EDIS then you won't need the 8 pin or TPI distributor at all since you will likely be plugging the dizzy hole with just an oil pump shaft and then using an EDIS trigger wheel and coils.

[tannji]

You both caught important details in my post, lol. I want the ability for higher revs because I do at some point plan on switching to a Toyota four cylinder and turboing it. I suppose that I might just address that when it happens, like using a new Megasquirt with the sequencer and COP, but I wanted to have the ability to do it now... no biggie really. Certainly not an issue with the current intake and heads. I had read somewhere, possibly in one of the Ron Tyler or Braap posts that certain coils were capable of mid to high 7000's... I do in fact plan on initially using the HEI to get it running, but at some point I am getting rid of the 700r4 tranny for some flavor of 5 speed, and when that happens, I want to clean up the engine bay, set up EDIS while the engine is accessible on the engine stand, and rewire the harness in the front clip for cleanliness and maintenance. More to the point, I want to remount the engine about 5 inches closer to the firewall, (goodbye, HEI!) in search of handling that is closer in feel to that of the stock setup... I miss it, and the way it feels now puts me off the whole V8, and on to a nice L4 application.

I am kinda peeved about that coil pack not being accurate, because of all the Dodge coil packs, I liked that one best for mounting and routing wires. I think I already have a V8 coilpack for EDIS, might as well use that then = )

Thanks for the input, both of you, and Matt, I expect to damage my savings on your site soon!

[tannji]

I keep seeing the AC Delco D585 (LS2/truck COP) available for reasonable pricing, especially in sets with brackets and harness. So obviously, this places me in the position of wondering if I can use them in wasted spark with either EDIS or the MSII v3.57. I was going to utilize the existing HEI because it is already there, and the Sequencer isn't..., and then convert to the sequencer at the same time I am re-positioning the motor mounting and deleting the distributor. I have been reading the manuals, updates, and trying to search the MS forums (using "COP" doesn't seem to work in the search there, I have no idea why, but it is frustrating, lol) and I have seen references to using two EDIS coils and one PIP signal, with coils connected to fire paired cylinders in a set-up similar to normal wasted spark. If this is possible, would I have to order the MSII box modified or pre-configured to address this, or is everything specific to doing it external to the ECU? ( based on what I have read, I can see no reason it wouldn't all be external)

I just bought a spare 3-row crank puller setup, and I have a new machine shop customer (who really appreciates us at the moment = ) who can machine the inner pulley to act as my trigger wheel. I already have an EDIS8 module, but apparently no VR sensor. I have seen it suggested that the sensor be matched with the module, should I make certain that this is the case when I source a sensor?

Thanks in advance... I can't wait to get started on this = )