MSD...has it been upstaged?
 

Okay multi spark fans...what do you think of this one? Two sparks throught the RPM range, plus you can tune in when the 2nd spark happens. Ohhhh wow! (I'm still among the disbelievers who think it only takes one spark to make the mix burn...)

http://www.pertronix.com/default.htm

http://www.pertronix.com/ignition_products/second_strike.htm
Interesting. So I wonder if you need a crank postion sensor to use the 2nd spark timing or if it assumes crank postion based on the 1st spark?
Anybody know what it costs?

sounds like a cool idea...a twin-plug by 2 degrees w/o a second distributor....

Wish they had a pdf of the instruction on the sit.

(snake oil remark deleted) I'd really like them to explain how a fresh unburned supply of the proper air/fuel mix appears at the plug after the first spark presumably ignited the normal charge.

Or did I miss the sentence about the 2nd strategically located plug ?

I don't think it fires a second plug... Just fires the first plug twice...

Wanna know more? Pick up a March '04 issue of HOT ROD...soon on a magazine rack near you.

Serves me right for not reading the whole thing....

.....it's a second language thing you see.....


pwd: you tested it for HR??? What's the dealio?

2nd Strike

copy & paste

"Second Strike is the only ignition system to provide a powerful second spark throughout the entire RPM range, unlike other multiple spark discharge systems, which typically drop off to one spark at about 3000 RPM. This micro controller based ignition supplements most inductive type systems (points, GM HEI, Ford TFI and Duraspark, Ignitor® and Ignitor II) with a powerful capacitive discharge second spark resulting in more complete combustion of the fuel/air mixture. Increased burn time at very high RPM levels also reduces misfires resulting in more peak horsepower and torque. No special distributor or coil is required. A simple five-wire hookup to your existing system completes the installation.

Second Strike’s unique crank angle offset (CAO) feature permits you to time the second spark in crank angle degrees to occur after the primary spark with a simple external adjustment dial. A wide range of adjustment (2 to 18°) allows you to experiment with the CAO that works best for your engine’s performance or your driving profile. The CAO feature can be operated while the engine is running to assist experimentation for optimum settings.

A digital rev limiter protects the engine from possible overrev conditions. Using the random spark stealing method, which reduces popping, banging and engine stress, you can easily set limits with a simple external dial. Second Strike comes standard with an output compatible with most modern tachometers requiring no interface adapters."

" what the world needs now is love, sweet love "

Sorry chris, that two-plug remark didn't come out as sarcastic as I meant it :D

Did you select a shock fit solution yet ? you seemed VERY jazzed about some of the suggestions! I gotta get me a welder, some of those custom tower shots got me all worked up :eek:


toys...toys...toys

Charlie,

I'm taking the easy way out.

Souk, as usual, talked me down off my Cloud9 of fabrication dreams and I'm just going to mount them upside down. Ordered the kit today.

Souk? HOT ROD was probably the first car mag I ever subscribed to...I guess some old habits are hard to break. ;)

I was a subscriber to Hot Rod from '68 till Porsche world. I do miss some of it.

Worthless technology.

I grew up on Hot Rod too guys...use to volunteer to work in the High School Library during Study Hall so I could read all the car magazines, current and past issues. I still pick it up at the magstand now and then, but after thumbing through and seeing only small blocks and blowers...I itch for aircooled fins and cooling challenges :D

The MSD makes more than one spark as well but the timing of the second spark is not adjustable. MSD "multiple spark discharge"
Im sure 9 out of 10 guys allready know that. But there it is anyway.

Kurt

I wonder if this would alleviate the need for a second plug for big bore upgrade kits (3.4, 3.6) ?

it's an interesting question [discounding compression ratios], if,
you believe the MSD style system does have something to offer ?

I belive its the spark position that matters rather than how many sparks. I think with both plugs on opposite sides the flame fronts connect giving a more complete burn and more stable as well which helps fight preignition .

Kurt Williams

I fall into the camp which thinks that:

- an MSD is cheaper than a second hand Bosch
- it is new, not second hand
- the multiple sparks below 3000rpm seem to help plug fouling and low speed driveability on cars which run rich at low RPM (this means carbs and MFI)

The Pertronix, if it sparks twice at >3000rpm, doesn't intuitively add much.

As I understand it, it won't, and can't, replace twin plugging, because twin plugging is needed for:

- very high dome and high compression (it ignites the mixture better, apparently)
- wide pistons with high dome (like 98mm and wider)

The twin plugs fire at the same time - one spark, one explosion - lit at both ends.

There is a good explanation on Steve Weiner's site at www.rennsportsystems.com

Specifically, about half way down this page:

http://www.rennsportsystems.com/2a.html

no question that 2 plugs are great; but,
do you think/maybe MSD style has something to offer ?