Megajolt worth considering?

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Brit01
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Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Brit01 »

I have been looking at the multispark ignition modules and then began thinking about the megajolt systems.

Appear to be a very efficient alternative to the carbs running on a distributor.
Bit pricey around 300 quid for the kits but in comparison to the multispark modules I think you get a lot more bang for your money. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Does the coil pack produce it's own spark? I'm aware it works on a wasted spark principle but where does the voltage increase come from? Primary/Secondary within the coil pack?

Air Temp sensor near the intake of the carbs right?
trigger wheel on the pulley.
map sensor from the vacuum ports on the manifolds that the Alfa has.

Very tempting piece of kit.
Walezy
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Walezy »

I was using Megasquirt for quite long time to run fuel and ignition but it was no problem at all to run just ignition. If you want to keep the distributor then you can use v2.2 board but if you want to use coils on plug(I have tested Audi coild as it fits Fiat TC 16v head). I got much better throttle response compared to standard Fiat 132 distributor. You can go down with cost by assembling the MS by yourself but then get a good set best directly from DIY Autotune and get it will ALL electronic parts as sometimes you can not get some parts localy or you can get replacement parts(substitute but not the same) and this can make you a lot of problems later in case the item is not 100% replacement to original part.
Book#378
Brit01
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Brit01 »

Looking at this costs with some used parts. Minus the trigger wheel and sensor comes to 200 quid.
How much power do the coilpacks have in comparison with a standard coil or even a multispark module?



EDIS-4 kit (£55.99)
+ Used coilpack
+ Used coilpack connector
+ Used EDIS module
£55.99


Megajolt ECU (£129.99)
+ MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor) (£12.00)
Brit01
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Brit01 »

Bit cheaper in USA. 160 bucks. That's around 100 quid for the ECU.
coil pack 45 USD.
pastaroni34
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by pastaroni34 »

MegaJolt is a fantastic system. I routinely argue that it is better than almost any standalone ignition system on the market. Reason being is that your ignition advance is based on more than just RPM. Typical mapping is RPMxLoad (MAP or TPS) with additional adjustments for IAT.

Most other systems focus on a hotter spark, which is a good thing but you only need a spark hot enough for ignition. MegaJolt focuses on better timing rather than hotter spark. If you want, you can also increase the spark power by using a hotter coil or an MSD box to better control dwell etc.

What engine setup are you trying to put this on?

I make complete kits for Fiats, all you have to do is make a wiring harness.
-Jason Miller
Miller's Mule Machine and Design Inc.
Houston, Texas - USA
Brit01
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Brit01 »

I'm hearing great things about the megajolt but also that I need to set it up on a rolling road which will work out too costly for me and also more importantly no one here will be trained to set up this system on a dyno.

Now I'm not sure. I know the multispark systems are just plug and play basically.

This will be for my Alfa boxer 8v with DRLA carbs (32 chokes). 1.7 engine.
Standard cams and compression.
Bosch electronic distributor with new Bosch coil (non-ballast).
Magnecor 8.5mm cables.

Jason:

I'll have colleagues travelling down from Southlake Texas next month so they can bring a kit or a ignition module whichever one I choose.

I see your website now and you have all the pieces for the megajolt systems.
But can these really be set up without a rolling road/dyno?


If not maybe you have some advice about the multispark systems. Mallory maybe or Crane?
fingers99
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by fingers99 »

I'd advise set up on a rolling road. Any competent RR will be able to do it.

AFAIK, neither of the other kits have any real inherent adjustability, very much last decade (or two).
GC_06
Brit01
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Brit01 »

fingers99,

Finding a competent RR here is the problem especially with a car on carbs and megajolt. None of them will have ever seen a megajolt before most likely.

Perry with his Fiat 131 noticed a significant improvement with the running of his engine after installing the simple MSD module.

I'd have to research the RR specialists here first before deciding on any system.

Regards

Chris
nabihelosta
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by nabihelosta »

Chris

Have a glance at the MSD ignition official website, and check the new MSD 6 AL-2 Programmable. It's worth checking.
One of my costumers here in Lebanon just ordered the unit for his BMW M5. I installed lately a 6 AL-2 on it, now we're looking for to the programmable unit.
For as little as 350$, you get a 45000V 135mJ spark, a series of 20 crank degrees multiple sparks, a soft touch rev limiter, a 2-step rev limiter (launch control, activated by a switch), a MAP sensor, a software compatible with all Windows versions, and a fully programmable ignition map by 100 RPM increments. Also you benefit from a programmable boost retard feature (for turbocharged cars) activated by the MAP, and a 5 degree retard map for N2O shots (nitrous oxyde).
As a matter of fact, you fix the bob weights in you distributor, so no mechanical advance anymore. The dist is just used as a trigger sensor, and a cap and rotor.
Also, you can make a switchable second map activated by a switch, and you benefit from a theft deterrent button hidden somewhere in the car, that won't let the engine start if activated.

Now that's what they published and claimed about it. I had an awesome experience with the 6AL-2, with the precious help of member Perry, and looking forward to work on the new unit, as programming is my thing, my piece of cake, what I often enjoy doing.

More feedback as soon as the unit goes into the car.

Nabih
HORSEPOWERunlimited
Brit01
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Brit01 »

Hi Nabih,

Thanks for the information.

Sounds as if the 6AL programmable unit works the same as the megajolt.
You fix the distributor so the 6al is controlling the timing from a crank sensor and MAP sensor?

Can you explain this part a bit more? I have an electronic distributor so no weights.
Also it sounds like you'll need a Rolling road to set this up like the megajolt.


Regards

Chris
nabihelosta
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by nabihelosta »

Electronic distributor? What is your car? What is the distributor's brand and serial number?
HORSEPOWERunlimited
pastaroni34
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by pastaroni34 »

The MSD 6AL-2 Programmable ignition is similar to the MegaJolt but not exactly the same. I have outlined the differences as I understand them below:

MegaJolt - 10x10 table/map, essentially 100 data points.
MSD - You can build an ignition advance curve but I do not know how many points you can put on that curve? I have not seen anything more complicated than 8 points.

MegaJolt - True crankshaft triggering, wasted spark coil
MSD - Built on systems with a electronic distributor, though it can accept a 4 tooth crank trigger setup.

MegaJolt - Wasted spark coil direct to each plug
MSD - Single coil through a distributor

MegaJolt - Load sensing by MAP or TPS
MSD - Load sensing by MAP only

Both - Switchable maps, rev limiter(s), programmable, multi-spark (MJ at least at <2000rpm)

MegaJolt only - Optional inputs like IAT, optional outputs (say a shift light, blow off valve, extra injector),

For tuning, as with everything, a dyno is preferred. Same goes for a distributor, or carbs, or anything else on the car that you're trying to tweak more power out of. You can get 85% of the way there and the dyno will show you were to improve to get that last little bit. For familiarity with tuning/programming, I think the MegaJolt interface is more common. MegaJolt has an ignition table just like Electromotive, Haltech, MegaSquirt, Autronic etc. The MSD one looks relatively foreign to me as you build a 2d curve instead of a 3d map. Any decent dyno tech should be able to figure either out.

I formerly had a Crane Cams box on my Fiat and ditched it for the MegaJolt. I didn't see any improvement with the Crane system, and I even had to make a custom shutter wheel because the supplied one(s) ate themselves. I have no experience with Mallory.


All of the above being said, if you don't feel comfortable playing with the programmable systems, don't bother. It can be a confusing task to tackle. Your money (say $500) will be better spent paying a tech who knows webers to tune yours on a dyno. No ignition system will cure improper fueling. Furthermore, of the non-programmable boxes, I have only seen marginal improvement over a working-as-intended stock ignition system. If its not programmable, I wouldn't get one at all.
-Jason Miller
Miller's Mule Machine and Design Inc.
Houston, Texas - USA
Brit01
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Brit01 »

All of the above being said, if you don't feel comfortable playing with the programmable systems, don't bother.
Thanks Jason for the comparison notes. very helpful.

I love to play with systems like this. (I work as a systems analyst!).
But the main issue is finding the time. For now I don't think I will find enough time.
Electronic distributor? What is your car? What is the distributor's brand and serial number?
Yep trigger sensor distributor, no weights/springs.
Alfa romeo 1.7 QV 1988 Series 2.

Coil: Bosch 0221 122 317 (new)
distributor not sure yet. Standard Bosch (orange cap and rotor - new also).
Guy Croft
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by Guy Croft »

Could someone please publish some non-copyright photos of this Megajolt thing?

I keep hearing about but have no idea what it is.

I could search on the net but if it's displayed here others will see it too.

G
pastaroni34
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Re: Megajolt worth considering?

Post by pastaroni34 »

Guy, what kind of photos are you looking for? I own/created a number of pictures regarding MegaJolt, I'm happy to distribute on your site. Furthermore, I work directly with AutoSportLabs (creators of MegaJolt) and can get an agreement from them to publish their photos if you'd like.

The picture below is a little banner I put together. You can see the MegaJolt electronics box in the bottom left. The remainder of the picture shows what a very simple (2d RPMvsAdvance) curve looks like. The white/blue chart is from excel, an advance curve you might see coming from a typical spring and weight distributor. The brightly colored table is what this 2d curve looks like as a map. Finally in the upper left is the 3d representation of the advance curve.

Keep in mind this is a very simple example, the advance does not change for differing load values, which is where MegaJolt starts to really shine.
Attachments
Example 2d ignition advance mapping with MegaJolt
Example 2d ignition advance mapping with MegaJolt
Modes_Banner-1024x680.jpg (127.02 KiB) Viewed 11753 times
-Jason Miller
Miller's Mule Machine and Design Inc.
Houston, Texas - USA
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