Programmable Delco Ignition Module
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:53 am
With the ignition module now being a fair way in to development its about time there is a thread with some info.
What it Does: The factory ignition modules do a great job but are limited to a single type of crank or dizzy trigger, so for conversions it can be a pain to setup. The 3 main types available locally in Oz are Holden V8 hall effect, Camira reluctor and Holden V6 DIS (Distributor-less Ignition System) 18x3x. If you want to get rid of the dizzy there are a few other options in the US - 4cyl can use a D1927A, 6cyl D1928A, 8cyl there are really only 2 options, the difficult to setup northstar dual crank trigger or expensive ZR1 DIS.
All the DIS setups require a specific GM trigger wheel, some are harder to setup than others on conversions (ie Northstar and 18x3x). Rather than trying to adapt a GM trigger and GM module when doing an engine conversion or just wanting to go to a DIS setup the programmable module allows many different trigger types to be compatible with a Delco 4 wire ECU/PCM (VN-VY use this interface). As of now it supports 18x3x, ref+sync mode (such as Toyota 24+1, 24+2), missing tooth (36-1 and 60-2 are common types) and single coil with a distributor. Untested modes are Nissan, Subaru and extra tooth mode.
The module can be setup to drive 1 to 8 coils with built in ignitors (such as LSx), the coil sequencing and pairing is configurable so it can support single coil, wasted spark or full sequential.
The 2 trigger inputs can be either reluctor or hall effect. Reluctor sensor inputs are a zero crossing detector with adjustable (or auto) trigger arming voltage threshold to reduce false triggers from noise - that is the reluctor voltage must pass a set voltage before the module determines it to likely be a valid pulse and then it also must pass through 0 volts and head to a negative voltage to be valid.
There is also a spark cut rev limit with 2-step function. This a pseudo random spark cut measuring RPM on every trigger so operates much faster and smoother than the factory fuel cut.
A tacho output is also generated by the module and is adjustable, this allows for a dash that was for say a 4cyl but the vehicle now has a 6cyl engine.
How it Works: During cranking the module handles spark on its own using physical triggers just like a factory module, this also retains the limp home mode function and allows for accurate timing even on high comp engines. It reads the trigger pulses from the crank/cam/dizzy and gets sync so for a DIS configuration it knows which coil needs to fired at each pulse (if there are more trigger pulses than cyl these can be skipped). It sends a single reference pulse per cyl to the ECU like a factory module after decoding the trigger pattern and gaining sync. Once the ECU requests control it sends a single EST (Electronic Spark Timing) output to the module which determines dwell and spark advance. The module knowing which cyl is to be fired routes the EST pulse to the correct coil in sequence.
How it is setup: All setup of the module is over USB and calibrations are edited in TunerPro using an XDF just like when editing a ECU cal file. Logging in TunerPro is also available..
Any questions ask away
- Top_sm.jpg (136.65 KiB) Viewed 26383 times
What it Does: The factory ignition modules do a great job but are limited to a single type of crank or dizzy trigger, so for conversions it can be a pain to setup. The 3 main types available locally in Oz are Holden V8 hall effect, Camira reluctor and Holden V6 DIS (Distributor-less Ignition System) 18x3x. If you want to get rid of the dizzy there are a few other options in the US - 4cyl can use a D1927A, 6cyl D1928A, 8cyl there are really only 2 options, the difficult to setup northstar dual crank trigger or expensive ZR1 DIS.
All the DIS setups require a specific GM trigger wheel, some are harder to setup than others on conversions (ie Northstar and 18x3x). Rather than trying to adapt a GM trigger and GM module when doing an engine conversion or just wanting to go to a DIS setup the programmable module allows many different trigger types to be compatible with a Delco 4 wire ECU/PCM (VN-VY use this interface). As of now it supports 18x3x, ref+sync mode (such as Toyota 24+1, 24+2), missing tooth (36-1 and 60-2 are common types) and single coil with a distributor. Untested modes are Nissan, Subaru and extra tooth mode.
The module can be setup to drive 1 to 8 coils with built in ignitors (such as LSx), the coil sequencing and pairing is configurable so it can support single coil, wasted spark or full sequential.
The 2 trigger inputs can be either reluctor or hall effect. Reluctor sensor inputs are a zero crossing detector with adjustable (or auto) trigger arming voltage threshold to reduce false triggers from noise - that is the reluctor voltage must pass a set voltage before the module determines it to likely be a valid pulse and then it also must pass through 0 volts and head to a negative voltage to be valid.
- Reluctor.jpg (40.25 KiB) Viewed 26383 times
There is also a spark cut rev limit with 2-step function. This a pseudo random spark cut measuring RPM on every trigger so operates much faster and smoother than the factory fuel cut.
A tacho output is also generated by the module and is adjustable, this allows for a dash that was for say a 4cyl but the vehicle now has a 6cyl engine.
How it Works: During cranking the module handles spark on its own using physical triggers just like a factory module, this also retains the limp home mode function and allows for accurate timing even on high comp engines. It reads the trigger pulses from the crank/cam/dizzy and gets sync so for a DIS configuration it knows which coil needs to fired at each pulse (if there are more trigger pulses than cyl these can be skipped). It sends a single reference pulse per cyl to the ECU like a factory module after decoding the trigger pattern and gaining sync. Once the ECU requests control it sends a single EST (Electronic Spark Timing) output to the module which determines dwell and spark advance. The module knowing which cyl is to be fired routes the EST pulse to the correct coil in sequence.
How it is setup: All setup of the module is over USB and calibrations are edited in TunerPro using an XDF just like when editing a ECU cal file. Logging in TunerPro is also available..
- Logging.jpg (98.43 KiB) Viewed 26383 times
Any questions ask away
808 FTW 