Thanks for the reply Brent,
Its not just that the EDIS module is 2nd hand, that was just his primary concern.
2nd is that they are harder to source here in Australia.. none of our Factory cars were fitted with them - most of ours used the EEC-IV controllers. There seem to be plenty available on ebay, but that could change.
3rd is that the EDIS is a Ford (Motorcraft) part. Sam's not a totally one-eyed builder (although I have heard him mutter "Ford Shit" on a few occasions
), but some of his customers are and might balk at Ford Parts on their Holden Motors (some of the Aussie Holden builders are pretty "dyed in the wool" as we say here.
4th is he wants to use the LS-1 COP packs for his engines, since he has proven them on engines making 800+HP and they mount nicely on the rocker covers and are available new. The standard EDIS packs (and leads to suit) arent available here. I mount/adapt the Holden V6 coil packs for the conversions I've done so far (Im making a mount plate for my 265 Hemi at the moment), but hes not confident of those packs ability to provide enough spark energy at high RPMs and power levels.
and he would prefer to use the simple bolt-on LS1 packs for looks, ease of mounting without having to make mount plates and proven peformance., however, they have an electronic ignitor built into the packs, and hence cant be driven by an EDIS/MJ1 combo.
5.th finally, he's concerned about the high RPM capabilities of the EDIS. He regularly builds engines that spin 7500 - 8500 Rpm and there seems to be some question as to whether some EDIS modules will handle that or not.
When he ran a MJ1 on a test engine, they had some popping and kicking problems at about 4000-5000 rpm, so took it off again to continue their other testing (I wasnt there at the time)..
I came down later and saw the problem first hand. it was a like mid-rpm-stutter or mis/back fire. The engine seemed to intermittently "shudder" as if the wrong cylinder was being fired at the wrong time, or the timing was suddenly way out for a split-second.. then it would clear again. It seemed to happen worse under heavier load.throttle settings. I checked the solidity of the VR sensor mount and 'scoped the signal coming from it, (a bit wobbly, so they strengethened it, the signal stabilised but it still did the misfire), checked the power supply and so on. All OK.
I suspect the problem might have been with either 1. the factory EDIS packs/leads they were testing with, We wondered if the factory ford coil packs couldnt put out enough voltage to light up a 500hp engine at high rpm, or the maybe 2nd hand EDIS leads were sus..
or
2. *maybe* that they had the EDIS module mounted a bit close to the coil packs for my liking - it was only a few cm away and the spark leads ran fairly close to it as well.. Maybe some EMI had bothered the EDIS electronics, although they are pretty tough by all reports
3. a faulty EDIS module.
I supplied them with a 2nd EDIS8 module, and we were going to rewire it to use new holden coil packs, but they didnt get around to testing further before pulling the test-mule motor off the dyno to run a customers engine.. Soo all in all, not a great MJ1 expereince, although all the street car conversions I have done are running fine..
And as I said, Sam was more interested in using the LS1 COPs anyway, so he decided to wait for the MJ2, but hes getting impatient now
If you really think the MJ2 is a way off, I can have another go at convincing him to try the MJ1 combo again with a new module and packs, but what about the high rpm limit ?
Finally, another builder who is using them is a bit concerned that the MJ2 is still using waste-spark. He likes building performance LPG fuelled engines and apparently waste-spark LPG fuelled engines are known to back-fire on start with the open-valved waste-cylinder firing. Is there any possibility the final MJ2 can have an additional 2 outputs (for 8 total) -they dont need to be drivers, since the LS1 COP packs have their own inbuilt ignitors) and will run in non-waste spark mode ? The reason I bring this up now, is Sam and I were wondering if the waste-spark might have been the reason for the shudder/misfire when testing the MJ1 on the 'mule engine, even although it was running Petrol.
So, If the MJ2 is still a way off (?), can you tell me how I can convince him to give the MJ1 another go by addressing any of these concerns ?
As far as visiting Aus goes, we're in the middle of winter here right now and its struggling to reach 15'c (60f) during the day, with nightimes down to 0 degrees C (32f), so its cold and wet, not the greatest time to visit Oz, but if you want to arrange a trip down here, we'll be hospitipable for you
You might want to wait another 6 months until its summertime though..
You never know, if you arrive with a MJ2 in hand, Sam might even stump up an airfare for you (dont count on it though, that was just my idea
)
regards
Brett
