My ignition program

[racydave]

The major obstacle is a good mounting location for the pick-up sensor at the crank pulley. If the old centrifugal oil filter is incoroperated with the crank pulley it might be quite a trick. Modern versions incorperate a block mounted sensor to read the crankshaft.

[ga.spyder]

I thought pre-kernel development had to do with corn
Craig

[ga.spyder]

ooooops
Craig

[spiderrey]

I guess I just took the easy way out. I bought the whole system from Croft, but it only controls the ignition system not the fuel. He had it all pre programmed and it works great but I have no clue as to the settings. On my set up we machined the stock pully to accept the trigger ring. Millers mule makes nice stuff, but when I saw his pickup for the trigger wheel i thought it was kind of bulky. Id really like to learn more about this stuff.

[So Cal Mark]

unless you're using injection, an ignition map will be just a curve. The new ignition system I'm offering will acomplish this easily without all of the pulley swaps

[lanciahf]

Mark I'm sure your system will be nice but the whole point of megajolt/megasquirt is DYI. Anybody can just go out and but a system. Megajolt/Megasquirt creates a proud feeling of accomplishment. Dave I'm envious!

[pastaroni34]

There's a ton more to ignition mapping than just one curve! A good ignition map deals with many curves. The most basic being RPM vs Ignition Advance, and with a simple distributor, this is the only curve you can modify (changing weights/springs). Later distributors added an Engine Load correction curve, typically via a vacuum mechanism. Since electronic systems, manufacturers have added Coolant Temperature correction, Air Temperature correction, Humidity correction, mostly trying to account for charge density changes. To make it even more complicated, curves are modified for emissions, starting conditions, and for fuel economy.

Converting to an electronic distributorless system is really the only way to incorporate all these factors and get proper ignition timing.

And as for bulky.. I agree. Our older parts were not always lean and this was due to us working with standard Ford parts. Now that we have our own sensors and trigger wheels, I think the new generation has cleaned up nicely:

[spiderrey]

That does look nice.

[So Cal Mark]

I agree, but it really needs fuel injection to be effective so the fuel map matches the ignition map.
As for diy, it is a good feeling when you accomplish a task like that, but for many owners it may not be feasible

[rflegal]

I have a megajolt unit I assembled for the spider several years ago and just never go around to fabbing the trigger system for. Looks like you guys are leaps ahead now. Is the EDIS really worth it if I'm carbed or should I go for a Megasquirt install too? I love EFI and think this would be the perfect retrofit. How tough is the install? I'll go do a search.. don't want to hijack the thread. Thanks for posting the ignition map Dave, I'll save it out for future ref.

[racydave]

Im carbd and I think its great. This summer some of our Fiat friends will drive it and debunk the myth...or not. I might also thank Jason Miller for suppling my parts. Seems things have changed a little since I got mine.

[ga.spyder]

Daves car is really impressive in person.I watched the guys from megasquirt do a installation on a RX7 at The Mitty,including the megajoult ignition system.It may be a DIY,but definitely not for everyone.I admire someone like Dave undertaking a project like that!
Craig

[mbouse]

i know dave has been working on this for a long, long time. it takes boo-koo effort just to research the sources of information before you can even begin to ingest the data.

and, i gotta admit, it is all WAY over my head, but i still gotta congratulate dave for what is a huge accomplishment !!

[rflegal]

I purchased the Megajolt kit and assembled it already, have all the ford EDIS components, even trigger wheel and sensor; just never installed it. Was wondering Dave, are there any pitfalls specifically related to the spider? It sounds like you are suitably impressed with Jason's work and his trigger wheel/pulley offering. His web site is quite nice. Is it worth going that way or should I try to mod my existing pulley? I have a metal lathe and and mill, but what about indexing the pickup etc? Also, where did you install you coilpack? Do you have a build thread on your spider? Thanks - Bob

[spiderrey]

Mounted my coilpack here