Megasquirt 2 - controlling timing from green wire signal?

[K Sykes]

I have a 1980 911 that i have been slowly getting up to snuff on an MS2 EFI project. Lots of non-fuel issues that are now pretty much sorted. My question is that I have a "timing" number that shows up on my default Tunerstudio dashboard and it seems to be moving with RPM as I would expect it too from the vacuum and mechanical advance. If that is the case, can I use the MS2 to control timing from this signal? Not looking for wild HP, just trying to improve drivability. So could i just add timing in Tunerstudtio settings and build a table?

Thanks for any BTDT advice.

Kinsley

[brads911sc]

I think timing wasnt a function that was really sorted until MS 3. Of course anything is possible. If I was going to control spark Id want the latest Firmware. Not sure you can get that on an MS 2 box. Id call the guys at DIY Auto Tune. Top notch guys and know what they are talking about...

[quaz]

Unfortunately there is no way to easily control the stock 911 distributor with megasquirt. This has to do with the way the distributor works. To control timing you need to add a crank position sensor and use some other ignition system. Without going into great detail the simple answer is no you can't. Sorry.

[JohnJL]

Really? I'm fairly sure MS2 will do it, and its not that hard...lock the distributor so you dont get any rpm/vacuum changes. Use the green wire to get your signal, then trigger your CDI or MSD from your MS2.

John

[James Brown]

if you do this, you will have to lock the dissy so it does not advance. but there is a lot of "slop" from the moving parts. best to go with a crank sensor, easy to fit and remove the dissy.

[jpnovak]

MS2 will control timing with no problems. What board do you have? V2.2, V3.0 or V3.57.

Each of these have options on how to control timing. Each method needs a fixed reference. Using a distributor you are using a moving reference as the mechanical advance changes timing as a function of rpm.

The simple way is to lock the distributor. Other methods are include adding a crank toothed wheel and VR sensor, flywheel toothed wheel, cam toothed wheel, hall effect, etc. As I said, many different options and MS will handle all of them.

Yes, there are many gains to be made with timing. You just have to determine the best way to interface your current system to add timing control. Tell us more about your install and we can help. Is this one of Tony's kits? (bitzracing?)

[HawgRyder]

Rember..the dizzy turns at half crank speed...so any error will be amplified.
And...the gear train driving the dizzy is not accurate enough for the job...too much slop.
A sensor attached to the block...with a slot for tuning purposes...and perhaps a multi-tooth crank mounted wheel...with a doubled or missing tooth arrangement to indicate TDC for #1 cyl....and you are in the ball park.
For the timing to run properly...you need to tell the control box exactly where it is in the timing cycle.
This is why most electronic governed engines don't start on the first or second fan blade...they need to orient the control box to the correct timing sequence.
Bob

[K Sykes]

Thanks for all the input. I was thinking there might be a simple way to take advantage of the fact that MS seems to know what my timing is, to simply be able to tweak timing a bit, mainly to improve cold idle.

I am familiar with the crank trigger, EDIS options and will likely do that in a few months once I am sure the fuel only option is really working well.

Thanks.

Kinsley