How To Build High-Performance Ignition Systems. Domestic & Import 4, 6, 8-Cylinder Cars

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Item # SA79  ISBN: 9781932494716




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How To Build High-Performance Ignition Systems is the complete guide to understanding automotive ignition systems, from old-school points and condensers to modern computer-controlled distributorless systems, from bone-stock to totally aftermarket. Whether you just want to update the tired ignition on your tow vehicle, help get your drag car consistently into the 9s, or just understand how your ignition system works, this book is for you.

Author Todd Ryden has worked for MSD Ignitions for the past 10 years. In this book, he leads you through the various components, systems, and subsystems, explaining how the parts work with each other to achieve the ultimate goal of efficient combustion. Coils, wires, spark plugs, distributors, magnetos, inductive systems, CD ignitions, multiple-spark systems, computer ignition controls, rev limiters—all are covered for both street and race applications.

This book will help you understand how your car's ignition works, and it will help you choose the right components for your car's performance needs, whether it's a '55 Chevy with a 265 CI small block or a 2003 Cobra with a supercharged 4.6 liter. How To Build High-Performance Ignition Systems can help you understand and upgrade all types of ignition technology, from points and vacuum advance to coil-on-plug distributorless systems.

Table of Contents

• Preface and Acknowledgements

• Chapter 1 — Intro and Overview: A Quick Look at the Entire System
Breaking the Ignition Down | The Coil | Distributor | Trigger Device | Timing | Spark Plug Wires | Spark Plugs | Ignition Controls | Battery and Charging System | The Sum of the Parts

• Chapter 2 — Ignition Controls: An Intro to Performance Ignitions
Inductive and Capacitive Discharge Ignitions | Capacitive Discharge | Inductive Add-Ons | GM's HEI Distributor | And Now for Something Completely Different | Aftermarket Capacitive Discharge Ignitions

• Chapter 3 — CD Ignition Controls: High-Performance Racing Ignitions
Rev Limiters | Boost Retard | The Next Step—the 7-Series | Over-the-Top Ignition Power

• Chapter 4 — Coils, Wires, and Plugs: Take a Look at the Secondary Side
Coils | What's Available? | Spark Plug Wires | Spark Plugs

• Chapter 5 — Distributor Basics: Triggers, Timing Advance, and Delivery
Distributing | Triggering the Ignition | Electronic Triggers | Magnetic and Hall-Effect Pickups | Mechanical Advance | Vacuum Advance | Caps and Rotors

• Chapter 6 — Distributors and Timing: Dialing in Centrifugal Advance
Centrifugal Advance | Checking the Ignition Timing

• Chapter 7 — Electronic Controls: Advanced Timing and Crank Triggers
Locked-Out | Time for a Crank Trigger? | Crank Trigger Distributors

• Chapter 8 — RPM and Timing Controls
Step Retards | Timing Curve Controls | Individual Cylinder Timing | Using RPM to Your Advantage | Controllers that Do it All

• Chapter 9 — Advanced Programming: Programming Through Your Computer
MSD Digital-7 Programmable | MSD Digital-7 Programmable Plus | Mechanical Programming

• Chapter 10 — Going DIS: Where's the Distributor?
Coil Pack Ignition Upgrades | Programmable DIS Ignition Controls | Electromotive | CPC Ignition System

• Chapter 11 — Charging and Wiring: Batteries, Alternators, and Wiring
Batteries | Charging System | Wiring Tips | Trouble Shooting a CD Ignition Control

• Chapter 12 — Definitions and Diagrams: Useful Info and Wiring Schematics

• Appendix — Source Guide

How To Build High-Performance Ignition Systems. Domestic & Import 4, 6, 8-Cylinder Cars