Programmable ignition for carbureted Supersports

[jhord]

I've been doing some tinkering and have come up with a programmable ignition that replaces both of the OEM ignition modules. Although still in "beta" form currently, it seems to be working quite well. Not only can the timing be changed via laptop, but it also has quickshift and shift light functions built in. It can even accept TPS input if you want to create a "3D" ignition map. Anyway, the test mule is my 1993 795SS. I put up a quick little chart of an hour's worth of dyno testing late today. The basic idea is to make it easier to find all the power the engine is capable of making. So far, so good.

Click here for chart

[bruntr]

Wow thats impressive results for just playing around with the ignition advance.... I'll be following progress.....

[redtop]

Very interesting, and an impressive work!

This Czech company has some similar products:
http://www.ignitech.cz/english/aindex.htm

I'm currently pondering about weather to buy the Czech module or just settle with retarding the ignition about 4° on my Bimota DB2 (944cc, high compression kit). However your work could be an interesting alternative. Are you thinking "open source", developing to sell, or just working for fun?

[jhord]

The Czech unit is exactly what I'm using. They don't have one "plug and play" for the Ducati so I have been working on the adapting/programming/etc. (and just getting hold of the unit is an adventure, too) Anyone with a reasonable amount of mechanical/electrical/computer skills could do it themselves, but it did take a bit of fiddling around. (and it was awfully hard on my starter clutch there for a while!!!) I hope to offer something ready to plug in- CDI, new coils and wires, and a baseline map- for a reasonable price, for those who don't have time to mess around. It's mainly about fun and tinkering, however.

I had been moving the base plate around, but what a PITA, it discourages tuning! Now, just a click or two on the computer and changes can be tested quite rapidly- don't even have to shut the engine off.

BTW, what I have found on my bike in particular, it peforms better with an advance curve that is not "flat." Sorry but that won't be open source info.

[redtop]

One friend in the Swedish Ducati Club bought the Czech gizmo last fall. I remember him saying he needed to throw in a couple 500ohm of resistors between the pickups and the box to get the signal levels right.

He started of with ignition curves from DP (see below), and got quite good results. Since you have a Dyno you will get even further no doubt!

If you're interested I can ask what curve he finally used. (Hes got a monster with 944 kit and FCR41, long intakes.)
I also have a pair of FCRs with a TPS so with the Czech thing I would be able to use a proper map rather than a curve, however that means even more parameters to get lost in!

[jhord]

Wow! Thanks for the picture, I have been looking for that! I think my advance curve is going to end up looking like the 3.0, with a bit of a "knee" in the curve. I have lots of testing to do yet, first I have to outfit my dyno with a load cell so that I can get live torque readings, and then it will just be a matter of step-testing to find optimum timing. I agree with you on the TPS- it will be of value but what a lot of work!

FWIW I have not had to use resistors, the CDI seems to like input from the standard pickups just fine.

[redtop]

Here's some more that might be useful:

http://www.visi.com/~moperfserv/ignition.htm