FAB

iTrader: (4)

Two things - You could very well have the old module, I don't recall ever having seen this issue with an MS3 car. As stated in my email, send me a quick photo of the module and I can shoot an updated replacement out.

The only reason sequential is beneficial for our kit is related to the module being to be hyper sensitive to the trigger input and when run in wasted spark with a couple of specific ECU's. We're splitting the signal between two drivers in the module. I was able to support just around 400whp on sequential with AEM using the same kit we ship each day. I've since swapped to a true CDI ignition box. That being said, we don't advertise it will support 400whp, in any configuration - it was intended to be a great PNP replacement system for those using the factory ECU (no dwell issues) or someone running 18/19psi. Regardless I'll do whatever we can to help you out on this, thanks for reaching out Andrew.

-Bryan

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

aceswerling

Thanks, Bryan. My car is in the shop right now so I'll ask those guys to take a picture.

For the record, my car is running around 240hp and (I recall) around 14 psi. Considering that's a relatively mild configuration compared to others', I expect it's well within the performance envelope of your system.

aceswerling

Here is a picture of the ignition module. Per an offline conversation with Bryan @ Fab9, he says this is the updated version.

Mech5700

Yup

bahurd

iTrader: (8)

FWIW, I have them in my car. 2000 with Rev built MS2E @ 15lb,. 032 gap wasted spark. Upgraded module.

No issues with spark that I recall.

3000 miles or so now.

aceswerling

I asked my shop for more details and they were seeing spark blowout above 10psi, which seems like it should be inside the performance envelope for a CoP system. My shop knocked the gap down to .028 to avoid the problem.

Bryan offered to send me another ignition module. I'm grateful for the support but I suppose the question is whether that's going to help. He suggested that running in full sequential mode, which was the original question in this thread, would help since we're firing 1 plug at a time instead of 2. But Mech5700's similarly unsatisfactory experience running full sequential makes me wonder about the compatibility of this kit with the MS3. Of course, bahurd's experience contradicts that, which is great.

Bryan, any thoughts on this?

bahurd

iTrader: (8)

I have the MS2E not MS3. That said, my plans are to change out to the GM truck coils over the winter. I already have everything but need to finish the harness. I'll end up selling them to someone with a stock setup who wants a low cost replacement for stock coils.

bmxfuel007

iTrader: (21)

how much are those pencil coils? I'm wondering if your blow out is related to an ignition coil and not the actual igniter module. I've had experience with less than stellar performance from ebay coils (toyota cops and LS2 coils) blowing out when above a certain psi. The problem was only fixed after trying another set of higher quality ignition coils.

If you can find another set of coils for cheap, or even a spare known good working coil, you can try swapping out one at a time to see if the problem goes or changes

aceswerling

Thanks for the suggestion, bmxfuel007. The coils in the Fab9 kit are made by Denso, which I believe is the same manufacturer of the Toyota coils everybody likes.

I talked this through with Bryan from Fab9 offline. He said the ignition module could be bad but suggested some settings changes first. I'd appreciate any insights from the community.
• Set 3.5 - 4ms dwell
• Set 1.2 ms duration
• Under Number of Coils, change from Wasted Spark to Wasted COP

For the record, here's snapshot of my current ignition settings:

aceswerling

For the sake of completeness, I wanted to bring everybody up to speed on how this turned out.

Bryan from Fab9 suggested a 3.5-4ms dwell and 1.2ms duration. John, my tuner, didn't feel comfortable with those settings because it increased the temperature of the coils.

The shop went ahead and ran sequential ignition based on my request and the engine runs much better now. They increased the gap to 0.32 and there's no blowout anymore.

It seems to me that the ignition module couldn't keep up firing two coils simultaneously as in batch mode, but it does OK with one at a time in sequential mode.

Many thanks to everybody who contributed to this thread and in finding a solution.

aceswerling

I wanted to give another update on this thread. I'd been troubleshooting random engine stalls since about March. Things got especially dodgy when the engine would stop running on the highway or at stoplights. I looked all over my config and wiring to find the problem and it finally disappeared after removing the Fab9 setup in favor of a Toyota CoP setup.

I don't know what caused the failure in the Fab9 setup. At one point the ignition module failed and I replaced it with a new one sourced directly from Fab9. They sent a generic Chinese replacement, which was interesting, but that made no difference either helping or preventing engine stalls.

Most importantly, I'm glad to have everything running properly so I can trust the car again.