What do Ignition Amplifiers actually do??? ( and dont say amplify the ignition )
I see MSD, Crane, HKS etc all sell different types, but in what way do they offer improvements? Do they require different coils, or do they all use the original coils? Do they simply increase the voltage to the coil??

 

I believe they increase the current/voltage pulse to the LT side of the ignition coil. Just an electronic ignition module I think.

 

Wouldnt this make the coil heat up more, shortening its life? They seem pretty expensive for something simply increases the voltage.
Another question to add, is what effect does altering the coil 'on-time' have. Does a shorter or longer dwell, have any benefits to the spark. The maps and info ive seen so far seem to say around 3000microsecs.

 

btt... as Im interested...

Rigolli (sp) seem to use them and the autospeed article I read was on about the crane ones...

David

 

Yea, Rigoli use the MSD DIS-4 I ( 4 being 4 channel ) believe. I have also used a Crane ( single coil + Dizzy ) system on my granada, but it also required the use of a matching coil. Not sure if you could use the amplifier with a normal coil.
Just curious....If it simply raises the voltage to the coil, the surely a single channel would do the same job, applying say for example 24 volts to the +ve side of the coils. Why is it necessary to have 4 dedicated outputs?

 

bttt as i have no clue.. and what is dwell, on time etc

i thought we just needed a bright spark (Yeah Yeah, not me! )

David

 

It's not as simple as volts and amps I'm afraid. The amplifiers tend to be inductive or capacitive discharge types, this changes the phasing and amplitude of the primary coil current and voltage.
The coil used must be rated accordingly.

I used a MSD 6 on the V8 car for the multiple spark at low RPM. This increased low speed response and made the engine 'crisp' even when off cam.

The DIS-4 is designed for use with 8 cylinder engines running 4 coils. They are capacitive discharge and have a programmable high RPM retard facility.

Andy

 

The spark occurs when the coil is turned off. So it is constantly being switched on and off. It has a permanent 12v feed, and uses a 'switch' on the negative side. The on-time or dwell, is the length of time that the coil is turned on druing every engine turn ie. 1 revolution.
Dwell is measured in crank degrees ( although i think its more applicable to points ) or on my ecu, and a couple of others I have seen, they say that 3000 micro seconds is fairly normal.
On my Crane amplifier I was using on my V8, for the capacative discharge system, it said it had to use their own coil.
I had originally used a single high power crane coil, before going for the CD system with HI-6 amplifier.

I also have a photo in Julian Edgars 21st Century performance book, showing 4 bosch coils fitted to a Nissan ( 4 cyl turbo ), and out of picture 4 ignition modules feeding them?? I assume by module he means amplifier of some sort?
It also says that a Direct fire ignition system such as that does give an excellent spark

[Edited by ustolemyname??stevieturbo - 12/29/2002 4:04:52 PM]