performance ignitions and the results

[wanna ride]

Hopefully this is in the right place.
Ok I've got to ask about programable and preset non stock ignition systems. I've been reading quite a bit on these ignitions and not so much of how or if one system is better than another but I think more about what you can actually achieve installing one of these ignitions in the average Joe's bike that has a descent motor and for now I will ask more of the ignitions that have been installed in the EVO bikes, particularly the FLH models. My buddy has an 87 FXR and I've tried his bike, it has the S&S ignition and hq-24 cam and other than that its stock motor with 30,000 miles. I found it takes off like a jack rabbit after it gets past the semi dead spot of the throttle. Now question is if these are from what I've pulled from info more REV limit adjuster systems how would they work for an average Joe like me for an 89 FLH if I ride the bike like a dresser and not like my 02 Dyna basicly not pushing the rev's high? Like is there an advantage that you've found if you've installed one of these ignitions on an EVO ( note EVO and not TC ) bike ? Haveyou's found this ignition adds to torque at all?
On my dresser I go through the gears not really even shifting higher than 3-4000 rpm because motor sounds like its screaming at me, other than that I may drop agear on the hiway to pass, that is if I'm going slow enough not to have the motor screaming.
thanks

[BIGBOPPA]

Originally Posted by wanna ride

Hopefully this is in the right place.
Ok I've got to ask about programable and preset non stock ignition systems. I've been reading quite a bit on these ignitions and not so much of how or if one system is better than another but I think more about what you can actually achieve installing one of these ignitions in the average Joe's bike that has a descent motor and for now I will ask more of the ignitions that have been installed in the EVO bikes, particularly the FLH models. My buddy has an 87 FXR and I've tried his bike, it has the S&S ignition and hq-24 cam and other than that its stock motor with 30,000 miles. I found it takes off like a jack rabbit after it gets past the semi dead spot of the throttle. Now question is if these are from what I've pulled from info more REV limit adjuster systems how would they work for an average Joe like me for an 89 FLH if I ride the bike like a dresser and not like my 02 Dyna basicly not pushing the rev's high? Like is there an advantage that you've found if you've installed one of these ignitions on an EVO ( note EVO and not TC ) bike ? Haveyou's found this ignition adds to torque at all?
On my dresser I go through the gears not really even shifting higher than 3-4000 rpm because motor sounds like its screaming at me, other than that I may drop agear on the hiway to pass, that is if I'm going slow enough not to have the motor screaming.
thanks

Hi Wanna Ride,
I have a fully programmable single fire ignition in my '86 FXR, and I have to say, yes it runs nice, but added not a skerrick of extra power or torque to the engine. If you do a bit more research, you will find that there is not an ounce of evidence that the ignition module (either single fire or dual fire) makes any difference whatsover to the power or torque of an engine over a stock dual fire system, this has been proven on Dyno's many times. A lot of people will tell you, that they changed out their ignition for a performance one and the bike now runs better and is a bit faster etc, but this is usually due to the fact that they change it because the old one craps itself, and most electronic ignitions dont just suddenly go without having deteriorated slowly over a long period, and the rider gets used to it as it gets progressively worse and worse . Then suddenly a brand new ignition goes in and BINGO!!! the bike suddenly starts running as it should again, and this is mistakenly interpreted as the ignition being more powerful than a stock one, where in reality, you would probably have just as big a difference putting in a brand new stock ignition. I hope this makes sense to you. But I am not saying dont buy one, as they are better in the sense that you have the choice of changing rev limits and stuff, so they are superior in some senses, just not in the power or torque areas (the manufacturers will tell you different, but can show no independent evidence to back up their claims, if they have evidence, you can bet it is by someone commissioned by them, and not independent). Hope this helps.

[Hillside]

............and in certain cases, the OEM unit can make MORE, coming up through.
When an adjustable ignition comes into play, is when your building more cylinder pressure, and need to control the rate of full advance, as well as the overall timing. Most also have an adjustable rev limit, and some even have multiple-spark capabilities.
But as already said, abritrarily installing a hot-rod ignition, will not do a damn thing.
Scott

[dog155]

Originally Posted by Hillside

............and in certain cases, the OEM unit can make MORE, coming up through.
When an adjustable ignition comes into play, is when your building more cylinder pressure, and need to control the rate of full advance, as well as the overall timing. Most also have an adjustable rev limit, and some even have multiple-spark capabilities.
But as already said, abritrarily installing a hot-rod ignition, will not do a damn thing.
Scott

Some of us went the dual plug per cylinder route.It looked cool.

[FXDRYDR]

Originally Posted by dog155

Some of us went the dual plug per cylinder route.It looked cool.

LOL. The old "if one is good, two is better" line of thinking.

[93 FXR]

"But as already said, abritrarily installing a hot-rod ignition, will not do a damn thing.
Scott"

Here's what Nightrider has to say about the topic.......

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/h...ionmodules.htm

[rel3rd]

I must be the minority or something because I replaced mine (with an adjustable ignition curve Screamin Eagle unit with 4 preset curves) solely due to getting it for a very good price, and also to raise the factory rev limiter since 5200 seemed too darn low...the bike ran very well before, even though stock "P" module seemed to be rev limiting as soon as it seemed to really want to pull (in the upper rpm's)

Using the most aggressive timing curve, my bike is noticeably crisper on the throttle response, definitely revs quicker, and seems to love taking advantage of the few hundred added rpm capability, so to read that it does "nothing", yet experiencing quite the exact opposite, I'd have to wholeheartedly disagree 100%...So far it's easily been my best mod.

[hoglar]

An as likely culprit to rel3rd's improved performance would be the paint job. It looks fast.

I did the single fire conversion years ago. Worst money spent on my '96 Fatboy. It does, however, rev to 6k now. Problem is, I never get there.

[rcsoftail]

The key is getting the right curve for your engine configuration. Adjustable modules help you acheive that. That said, an adjustable module set to the same curve as a non-adjustable module will yeild the same results. Most people find the factory curve conservative and not optimal for their setup, which is why many replace it with an adjustable one and go to a more agressive curve, which is why most see more power.

As far as dual fire vs single fire or multi-spark goes, if you get a good burn on the first spark, there is nothing left to burn for any additional sparks.

I am sure coil saturation may be better in single fire, but I doubt many of us ride at an rpm or compression high enough to see that benefit.

[berserker]

I carry my stock with me. I had a problem couple years ago. Would start with stock but would not with aftermarket. I don't know if a sensor was going bad, and it was sensitve to that, or my battery had low voltage or what. Replace 2 sensors and battery and it went away. They 46k miles, and were about $43/sensor, so I felt like good thing to do. Battery was 6 years old too. Its in my lawn tractor now.

[rel3rd]

Originally Posted by hoglar

An as likely culprit to rel3rd's improved performance would be the paint job. It looks fast.

Oh crap...I thought for sure it was my new floorboards cutting through the wind. lol

Originally Posted by rcsoftail

The key is getting the right curve for your engine configuration. Adjustable modules help you acheive that. That said, an adjustable module set to the same curve as a non-adjustable module will yeild the same results. Most people find the factory curve conservative and not optimal for their setup, which is why many replace it with an adjustable one and go to a more agressive curve, which is why most see more power.

That was my point exactly. Some make a general statement that it's a waste of money, especially on a stock engine with slip-ons and an air cleaner, but I bought the module and an (unused, so far on my bike) single fire coil for $100. Before I got this one, I'd be hesitant to spend 300 bucks or whatever for a new one, but after knowing how well it worked in my particular case, if I would have bought it new, I'd still be happy.