I think the perfect ignition system is going to take the input of several designers with different approaches that reach a compromise that fits all criteria and engine builds, but in the end is mediocre for what it can't do. Wait, that is why we have more than one design out there! Jonny's design really needs a low inductance coil to work properly while mine(really Lloyd Winterburn's) needs a higher inductance coil to make the extra sparks. Those two CDI designs will never mesh. Timing adjustments can be tailored to either type which your designs could do. Make it CDI and you will have a winner. Fred
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Originally Posted by John at J&S
And then there are ignitions that do individual cylinder knock retard. Like mine.
Anyone here running it? Remember, when you adjust timing for "no knock" you are adjusting it to keep the worst cylinder quiet, robbing power from the rest. Yes, you can say my system doesn't make power but it allows you to safely extract more power from the engine.
Then there is the question of how are you determining there is no knock when you are setting it? By human ear alone? A good knock detection system is trying to detect knock that you CAN'T hear, while ignoring engine noise that you CAN hear.
Some tuners use knock headphones, some use a purpose built knock detector like the Phormula or the Gizmo K-Mon, but they are almost as much as my system and they do nothing but provide a warning if for some reason the engine starts knocking. Also, these systems are typically removed by the tuner after adjusting timing, leaving the engine at risk.
Sorry for going off topic, but modern aircooled engines have this feature, why not add it to the older ones. Because it doesn't say Bosch on the box?
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