It was a very frustrating day at the Supersprints on Saturday, with a serious lack of power in No.8 Beetle.

There were a few suggestions as to what was causing the miss-firing, and I think Rene F. may have nailed it. Rene thought the higher compression of the 'new' 2276 engine may have been too much for the coil [which worked fine on the 'old' engine. He suggested using a Crane HI 6 set-up.

Anyone out there have any ideas on this? Any help welcome.

Cheers, Greg

Rene swears by that crane set up and he should know considering he has done a lot of dyno time with it and other systems...

Fabo

I got a crane HI6 'fireball' system with a whole heap of other perfomance stuff for the race bug but never ended up using the crane as I ended up using a different system with the injection. I know there are a few circuit guys with escorts using this system on their BDA's. That's were mine come from. Its just sitting in the shed if your interested.

PM sent, bat.

twin spark?

But I've spoken to Rene about his setup and he absolutely swears by it; it also is a much easier install

The Crane systems rock!!!!

Start by closing the plug gap a little, say to .018", then you can tell if it is a lack of ignition.

I have run 10:1 and 42psi boost with a stock early WBX ignition and it worked fine with close gaps,
although I will be the first to admit that a better ignition would have made more power.

I would be chasing a 'fault' rather than an upgrade,
since most ignition problems are fuel problems.

What heat range plug did you use?, higher comp likes a cooler plug.

Cheers Col

The plugs were NGK B7ES. Comp. is 11.5 : 1. Fuel - BP 98.

Had some input today from an old friend, who has years of experience with race engines. Alf thinks the problem started when I first started the engine in the morning, when the temp. was about 2 degrees. He believes the plugs 'cold fouled', and did not fire properly after that. Makes sense to me.

Will be doing some looking at the fuel system, float levels, etc, etc. as well.

Dave, I agree about finding the 'fault' first. As this was the first time I have run the 'new' engine, it will be a case of 'sorting it out'.

Thanks for the input...it all helps.

"I have run 10:1 and 42psi boost with a stock early WBX ignition and it worked fine with close gaps"
You wouldnt even need plugs when it was running on boost would ya

Been running a Crane Hi6 for years on my 2.4ltr Porsche engine in my T34 Ghia. Really happy with it and no troubles at all.

Have you rolling roaded the engine to make sure you have correct AFR across the rev range and engine loads?

Got an AFR set up in your exhaust. Great way to self tune the jetting.

I'm assuming the Hi8 is an older version of the current Hi6 CDI multi spark ignition system? So similar to the MSD AL6?

Will certainly make sure that if the spark is being 'blown out' by the compression ratio the CDI should cure that.

Sooty plugs is a very real possibility too.

Still least you have a few avenues to go down to try and eliminate the issue

now you have a better ignition you can use a colder plug as well!

Dave, hopefully the NGK 7s will be OK. Interestingly Crane recommend .045" gaps, for the HI 6. I'm saying well away from any wires when the engine is running.

Psim, the AFR looks good on the dyno sheets that Ben gave me, however I will be re-checking it. I intend to fit smaller venturis, so it will need to be re-done.

Are those AFR gauges any good? It would be handy to have an ACCURATE reading , although it's another bloody gauge to look at.

Well they work off the same sensor as an ECU Lambda sensor as far as I'm aware.

As for accuracy the electronics are pretty simple but as always a more expensive brand will likely be more accurate and reliable than a cheaper brand.

Saw loads of the turbo boys in the UK using them to make sure they didn't cook the engine at full boost.