new race ignition control unit

[grumpyvette]

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/Ign ... _Only.aspx

http://www.bangshift.com/blog/Video-MSD ... -Show.html


OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS
Spark Energy: 200-220 mJ per spark
Primary Voltage: 545-570 Volts
Secondary Voltage: 50,000 Volts
Spark Series Duration: 20 degree Crankshaft Rotation
RPM Range: 15,000 RPM with 14.4 Volts
Voltage Required: 12-18 Volts, Negative Ground
Current Draw: 1.3 Amp per 1,000 RPM
Weight and Size 2.9 lbs., 7.5"L x 5"W x 2.25"H


REQUIRES
indows

* Intel® 1.3GHz or faster processor
* Microsoft® Windows® XP Home, Professional, or Tablet PC Edition with Service Pack 3 (32 bit) or Service Pack 2 (64 bit); Windows Server® 2003 (with Service Pack 2 for 64 bit; Windows Server® 2008 (32 bit and 64 bit); Windows Server 2008 R2 (32 bit and 64 bit); Windows Vista® Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 2 (32 bit and 64 bit); Microsoft Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise (32 bit and 64 bit)
* 256MB of RAM (512MB recommended)
* 260MB of available hard-disk space
* 1024x576 screen resolution
* Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or 8; Mozilla Firefox 3.5 or 3.6
* Video hardware acceleration (optional)


Features

* USB connection for ease of programming
* Timing based on engine rpm and gear value
* Advanced individual cylinder timing based on gear or time
* Five retard stages for nitrous
* Four steps of rpm limits for burnout, spool, launch and overrev
* Output switch set on rpm, pressure or time
* Shift light settings for each gear
* Ignition data acquisition accepts multiple runs

MSD set the standard in programmable ignition systems. In fact, every NHRA Pro Stock championship in the last few years has been with an MSD Programmable 7. Drag radial, twin turbo outlaw cars and 10.5-tire classes all rely on the advanced programming of MSD’s Programmable 7 Ignitions.

Wait until they see the Power Grid.

The Power Grid Ignition System is the next evolution of our Programmable 7-Series Ignition Controls. The Grid incorporates an efficient 32 bit microcontroller and an all new software program, called MSD View, and is USB compatible. The Windows based software is designed with tabs to help racers easily select different programming windows and parameters. Also, the data acquisition files of the ignition are now captured on a micro SD card for ease of storage and reviewing.

The Power Grid Ignition incorporates CAN-Bus technology which reduces the amount of wiring and simplifies the addition of accessory modules. The CAN-Bus is a common harness that accessory controls are connected to and easily brought into the programming library of the View Software. With this technology, racers can connect the Power Grid system directly into their Racepak Data Recorder and other Racepak products.

The Power Grid Controller is the brains behind the entire system and can be used with any MSD Ignition or the Pro Mag to provide advance ignition tuning capabilities. While it is compatible with all MSD boxes, the new Power Grid System Controller has been specially designed to mount to the Power Grid-7 box. Also, this new Ignition packs higher output than the current programmable units!

The Power Grid Controller is supplied with the View Software, wiring harness, micro-SD card and mounting hardware. The ignition, available separately, is supplied with the harness and mounting hardware.

 

[Michael]

This appears to be promising, and makes the "Programmable 6AL-2" obsolete. One does however have to worry about quality and how long it would take MSD to get the new products right. Just taking a look at MSD's user-forum is a sobering experience!

 

[grumpyvette]

It been my experience after listening to dozens of freinds over the years that,you need to follow the manufacturers installation instructions carefully to the letter after reading them carefully several times and not assuming you know how to install anything and that its really a huge gamble buying,
Used electronic ignition controls and many used ignition components are one type of item its usually best to avoid on the used flea market or ebay or swap meet markets because its un-fortunate but theres a significant segment of the population composed of low life scum that thinks theres not a thing wrong with unloading defective electronics on un-suspecting buyers, when they can be reasonably sure that they will never see you again by the time you can test and find out that the crap you bought in good faith, with their full smiling guarantee that "it worked when they removed it", or that they "never installed it", or "they upgraded and don,t need it" was pure B.S. to separate you from your cash, while they were fully aware its a defective component, or theres no way to repair it or theres no parts available, or that components no longer made etc.
now Ive got a few good deals, over the years on vertex magnetos and old corvette distributor cores, but Ive seen and heard of almost unlimited numbers of crap/defective stuff being pawned off on the unsuspecting.