engine and drivetrain Ignition upgrade advice

[joh99033]

Fellow 2002 community, I am in the process of installing a new engine into my 02. The engine is equipped with high compression pistons, DCOE 45s, etc.

Can someone please recommend me a strong ignition system. I am looking for something that will last (not burn up), but also something that will put out a strong consistent spark.

Thanks

Christian

[kweebs]

I'm running a similar engine setup and have had good results from the MSD-6A ignition with a Bosch red coil. This came on the car when I bought it. I noticed Top End has a package available.

http://www.racetep.com/02ign.html

At one point I thought my MSD unit was dead so I sent it down to MSD in Texas and they tested for free. So great service on their end.

Otherwise I know the Crane XR700 is a popular choice. I think most run the Bosch Blue coil with this system.

[joh99033]

Thanks, thats great.

[kweebs]

I also noticed this tech blurb on Top End's website. Good read for folks running dual Webers.

http://www.racetep.com/webfuelspark.html#webspark

[tzak12]

I just installed the crane xr3000 and the ps91 (as suggested in the FAQs) in my 73tii this weekend. Idle and starting was much improved. But the limitation in this set-up I guess is that you're limited to 6500 RPM (6000 for the xr700). For my stock engine I believe this isn't a problem since the valve springs can't be reved any higher. So, if your engine is built for above 6500 go with the msd 6a (which i think stops working at like 15,000 or something).

As for the trigger, I got the feeling from searching the board that the crane unit was more consistent at the higher RPMs. But i can't back that up. I also thought I saw someone saying that they had both the crane and the msd6a in their race car. This i think, is the best combo before going distributorless, but i haven't found anything describing how they are used together. (Does the msd6a replace the crane box?)

Anyway, I think that kit in the link is great combo (It seems they offer it with either the crane or the petronix.) I know the crane can be used with the high output ps91 to give you your "strong" spark. consistent spark should be easy with crane but go with the msd if you can.

Oh, and please look on amazon for the stuff, they at least tell you who has the lowest price (which is usually summit racing). I got to go to school good luck with your new engine.

[RandyMolson]

I reseached the offerings last year and as best as I could tell, the Crane XR3000 ignition and PS91 coil offered the closest thing to true electronic ignition, short of the kits that replace the entire distributor. The Crane XR3000 replaces the points with a simple optical sensor, and the eliminates the condenser too.

I did not look into MSD then, so maybe it is comparible, I don't know.

The XR3000 box has a little LED that flashes every cycle. I thought it was silly ricer bling at first, but damn, I use it all the time to comfirm that my ignition is or is not juiced.

In my research, I don't recall ever seeing a report of failure or reliability issues with Crane. It has been a solid upgrade for me. The only possible negative is that mine makes an audible click every cycle (I have mine bolted to the firewall)...kind of like the ignition feedback clicks that occur with old am car radios. It doesn't bother me but I can see how the clicking would bug some people. Maybe mounting it away from the firewall would resolve the clicks.

One last thing, I am pretty sure that Crane tech support specifically recommended their PS91 coil for high compression engines, as opposed to the oil filled coils.

[donfjohnston]

(nt)

[Jack]

I called Crane tech and they were excellent. I'd recommend you do the same. At their recommendation, I have a PS-60 coil with the XR 3000 on a stock lower end, in other words lower comp. For yours I think they will suggest the 700 model but I'm unsure of the coil match. I think it is the 91