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Old 04-02-2007, 06:38 PM
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Default Cooked '99 Coils

Those of you '99 Miata users that want to run megasquirt need to make sure you set up spark to be non-inverted. I just got spark working today. That is for about 1.5 minutes. I had a friend turn the key on while i touched the coils all over to see if they were going to get hot. I did this for about 45 seconds and they didn't get warm. I then started the car and it ran fine, minues a little stumble soon as i touched the gas at all. It idled no problem, though the idle valve is still under stock ECU control. Anyway, set it to No under the inverted selection or it will cook your coils or ignitors or both seeing how the ignitors are integrated. My motor now runs on only cylinders 2 and 3 because the other coil is toast.
For the record, i was running inverted spark with a crank dwell of 2.4 and a run dwell of 2.0

Anyone want to hook me up with a cheap coil pack for a '99?
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:00 PM
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I have a PC based O-scope I got for less than $100 that's perfect for auto applications. I used it to compare the spark output of Megasquirt with the ECU output. I'm at work now but I'll post the link tonight if your interested. BTW, MSII defaulted to non-inverted so I never thought of saying anything.

Are you going to go with different coils or just replace the stock ones? GM coils are dirt cheap and supposed to be fairly robust. Others on this board like DSM.
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:12 PM
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Not sure what i'm going to do right now. I have a few options for purchasing more '99 coils. I have some '90 1.6 coils local to me i could get. Or i could do like you said and go the GM/DSM route. We'll see, whatever i get it will have to have integrated ignitors.
MS I defaults to non-inverted as well. I was told by many that the 1.8 coils could need to be inverted. I did what I could to make sure the coils weren't getting hot, then when they didn't i let the car run. Well they got hot after I stopped feeling them.
Oh well.
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:33 PM
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I wouldn't replace them with more fragile 1.8 coils. 1.6 coils would be good, DSM would be better.
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:41 PM
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Like these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Eagle...QQcmdZViewItem
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:42 PM
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I'm ready to throw MS out the damn window.
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:54 PM
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That's normal.

GM coils from the 90's don't have internal ignitors. They used an EDIS type ignition system. They can be run with VB921's.
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:56 PM
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Anyone know if 1.6 coils have the same connector as 1.8 coils?
AUSSIE DRIVER!!!!!!
Pretty sure he is running 1.6 coils and cas on his '99 motor.
If I can use 1.6 coils i might try to get the ones local to me tomorrow.

All of this makes me wonder why I didn't go EMU+Boomslang for quick and easy swap.
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Old 04-02-2007, 09:16 PM
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Yeah, i remember feeling how you do right now. But hey, you're the first person to run NB coils. TANSTAFL!

Just get the 1.6 coils and ignitor, the link you gave didn't look like it included the external ignitor, so you'd need that or need to convert to VB921, which is unnecessary work.

Of course you could always give some more 99 coils a go if you didn't want to deal with mounting the ignitor. You really need to talk to Aussie Driver.
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Old 04-02-2007, 10:12 PM
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...QQcmdZViewItem

not mine, but maybe it will help
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Old 04-02-2007, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Flippy02
Thanks man, I'm already watching them like a hawk. Otherwise they're $100 everywhere else.
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Old 04-03-2007, 12:27 AM
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http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/cla...revaction=show

i ran into this one also
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Old 04-03-2007, 12:36 AM
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Anyone know if the earlier model 1.8 coils will work on my '99? I'd go look right now but it's dark. If not I'll call partsgroup tomorrow to see what they know.
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Old 04-03-2007, 02:02 AM
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Hey dont feel bad, i blew an ignitor the other day and only get spark on cylinders 1 and two with the stock ecu, gonna go with a vb921 setup now since i like to make myself miserable..
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Old 04-03-2007, 02:12 AM
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Yeah I was running on 2-3 when Coil 1 died. Pulled 1-4 and she kept on running crappy as she could. I'm hoping it will have regenerated in the darkness and will magically be ok in the morning.
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Old 04-03-2007, 08:46 AM
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I have spare 99 coils (no bracket)- $30 delivered. PM/email me with your info. -rob
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:48 AM
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ouch chad that sucks.
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Old 04-03-2007, 11:16 PM
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meh, figured out what I did wrong ... i didnt have the mod connected to the LED ground, doh. I managed to get weak spark out of one coil though even though the ignitor is fried (it acts the same with my good spare coilpack. This megasquirt biz is one hell of an adventure. I have had a bumpier road than most, probably due to my ability to screw up directions.
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Old 04-03-2007, 11:19 PM
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Set of '99 coils coming graciously my way from M2Cupcar. Thanks man.
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Old 04-04-2007, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by akaryrye
meh, figured out what I did wrong ... i didnt have the mod connected to the LED ground, doh. I managed to get weak spark out of one coil though even though the ignitor is fried (it acts the same with my good spare coilpack. This megasquirt biz is one hell of an adventure. I have had a bumpier road than most, probably due to my ability to screw up directions.
hmm weak spark that sounds like the problem with our 96 i believe you and chad have solved my ongoing electrical problem sweet. Man i hope this works. Does anyone else have some 1.8 coils for sale?

Last edited by magnamx-5; 04-04-2007 at 08:53 AM.
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