Ignition mod?

[Terran]

I searched for this but i couldn't come up with an answer, i assume that we'd get alot more power out of our engines if we did away with this waste spark style ignition. So my question is, is it possible to rework the ignition to fire only one cylinder at a time?

 

[monkeydude3]

as far as I know there is no quick way of reworking that. You would have to change everything. I've studied the waste spark systems and to the best of my knowledge it doesn't really reduce power. The only thing is there are two spark plugs connected... when they fire, one is on a power stroke and the other is firing on an exhaust stroke. This does nothing to hinder power. I have a 1994 XL 4.0L

You'd be better off changing your intake and exhaust which give noticable gains and you can hear them too. I would bet a solid 10-15 hp when you combine a high flow intake with exhaust.

George

 

[Terran]

Maybe, but common sense seems that even though one is on compression and one is on exaust, if 2 sparks are fireing then each is recieving around 1/2 power. Think of the nature of electricity, it takes the path of least resistance, which would be 1. The closer cylinder to the coil pack, and 2. The one with the least harsh enviroment for the spark.

 

[gijoecam]

At the voltages that the spark occurs at (12,000 or so) there is very little resistance presented by a .040" gap in the spark plugs. It jumps the gap with very very little loss.

The spark isn't what generates the power. The fuel/air charge does. The spark simply needs to ignite it.

If you want to make more power, do away with the spark all together. Go to a high compression direct-injection gas or diesel engine and I can guarantee you can make more power for a given displacement.

-Joe

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

The exhaust stroke spark dosen't take much energy at all, because of the lack of compression. I understand what you're saying, Terran, but the coil energy lost on the second spark is insignificant, and more than made up for by the longer saturation time available to the coils (By only having to discharge once every crank revolution, rather than three times).

There's actually no reason for the wasted spark at all, except for ignition system simplicity.