Wasted Spark Install

[marc79euro645]

I assume you're using a vr sensor as trigger. You may need to adjust the pots to get stable vr signal. Did this change with the coil packs?

[ZenitramNaes]

The timing table shouldn't need any changes, as only the spark energy has changed. It seems odd that you would have stumbling. What are you using for drivers and how are you using the LED outputs to drive them? What code are you using? It's been a while since I updated my firmware and am wondering if there are changes that affect waste spark outputs.

I'm using the BIP373s for drivers. I followed your instructions to a T, it is for a diypnp board but I think I got the same concept across. I'm using the newest firmware, 3.3.2. One of the things I was wondering if maybe the .030 is to much of a gap and maybe that could be causing some of the problem? Lots of backfire, especially on deceleration.

I assume you're using a vr sensor as trigger. You may need to adjust the pots to get stable vr signal. Did this change with the coil packs?

Yep, vr sensor with the 60-2 wheel. Before I put in the MSD coil packs it was running of the stock distributor, if that is what you mean.

[ZenitramNaes]

Previously I was using feeler gauges to measure the gap. I went back over them with a spark plug gap tool and they read .036. I dialed them back down to .028ish and all of the backfiring and weird noises are gone. Still have a bit of stumbling though. The thing I don't understand is that my old spark plugs were the same exact size when I was running the stock distributor. I don't under stand how the stock distributor could cross the gap but the MSD coils were having problems.

[marc79euro645]

I had to tune the pots on my ms2 to get a stable pulse. read this
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/vradjust.htm
You should be able to open the plug gaps back, once you get a stable vr pulse. I run .030" on mine with a blaster2 coil.
good luck
marc

[ZenitramNaes]

I had to tune the pots on my ms2 to get a stable pulse. read this
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/vradjust.htm
You should be able to open the plug gaps back, once you get a stable vr pulse. I run .030" on mine with a blaster2 coil.
good luck
marc

Would the 1.5v diypnp board have those? I don't think I remember installing any such thing.

[marc79euro645]

These 2 pots are inside the mega squirt.

[ZenitramNaes]

I've never messed with the pots before. Is it something I'll manually have to adjust inside the megasquirt or a setting within TunerStudio?

[m30b35 turbo]

which pontiac is the coil base from? and where could i get a hold of one?

[ZenitramNaes]

which pontiac is the coil base from? and where could i get a hold of one?

Not sure of the model, any older GM car will have it. Junkyard is cheapest.

[brw71585]

Does anybody have the pics to this post. Looking for reference but can not see the pictures.

[RDAvena]

photobucket extension on chrome works for me.

[iamcreepingdeath]

So for cheapskates like me who don't want to spend $66 for each ignition coil, is there any reason I can't go with just a stock coil replacement from a GM car? They are on the order of $15 each on Rockauto. Any reason that wouldn't be sufficient for a boosted M30? Do I need the "extra power" from an MSD coil?

Also, this needs to be a sticky.

[iamcreepingdeath]

Since nobody answered my question above, I will answer it.

Instead of expensive MSD coils, I used cheap ebay knockoffs, I think for like $67 for the set of 3. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/324537815957)

Obligatory pic.



They seem to be working fine so far, but I started getting another issue, which may or may not be related. I was getting arcing between the aluminum bases of the coil drivers and the heat sink they were bolted to. The arcing was kind of jumping through the mounting hole, past the mica insulator (through the hole), despite using nylon screws.




I fixed it by adding a layer of electrical tape on to the heat sink. I realize this also insulates the heat transfer to the heat sink, but these things don't get all that hot anyway (they are supposed to just be warm to the touch with correct spark settings), so I've been running it like that. Kind of a stupid design for the spark driver to have an aluminum base that is actually electrically hot.