Programable ignitions?

I know that electronic ignition upgrades are OK in P/S, but how about programable ignitions? Like the ignition systems that provide for timed retards to assist traction? How about traction control systems?
If they are not legal, how do you tech for them?
Thanks, Joel

 

I have to strongly disagree with these systems being used as traction control, in this equation of the hobby...

the terminology *traction control* has to be associated with measured slippage between the tire/driveshaft rotation vs. vehicle movement, for instance the MSD Digital 7 MUST use a driveshaft or rear gear sensor to measure this correlation or deviation. This makes it extremely easy to tech. Just bolting in a Digital 7 to run the spark, ISN'T, in and of itself, traction control. You can slow the advance rate at a slippery track by changing springs and weights in a distributor for those conditions, so does that make a stock point driven sparkomatic a traction device too?? ou:

 

Jim, the term "traction Control" is perhaps a poor choice of words on my part. What I am talking about are the programable igntions, such as the digital MSD's that will provide different stages of retard for each gear, X amount of retard for X.X seconds after launch, etc. The kind of stuff you could never acheive by tuning your distributor weights and springs.

 

I see your original question was clearly about P/S.... so I will bow out cordially at this point.

JH

 

OK, I'll pick up JH's argument:

Maybe A Pure Stocker couldn't successfully limit the torque at launch using springs and weights in the distributor, but he might have some success limiting the torque by slowing down the opening of the seconday air valve on his QuadraJet or vacuum Holley. He could do this with stock or stock-appearing parts. So is a programmable timing retard all that different?

For the record, I'm against the electronics -- I just wanted to make the argument.

Of course, those who row 4-speeds might claim that automatics are a traction-control device.....p

 

this question is a joke,right?

 

Nope.The rules as printed say ignition boxes are Ok as long as they are hidden. Are we to assume that that means ANY ignition box?

 

Joel,

I would suggest that you ask Dan directly. Mucho better than one of us speculating on the intent of the rules, etc.

Shoot ..... and all this time when I heard folks talk about "timing retard", I thought that they were referring to me and my ability to handle a timing light ..... o No:

 

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ou:

For once, Casey is right. Dan is the man to contact. I was under the impression that 2 steps were not allowed. If you have programmable, most definately that would be beyond a two step. MSD 7 boxes are the only ones with this capacity, no? I would suggest to the powers that be that they limit the MSD (and factory boxes) to the MSD 6 (or equal).

BG,
Unless you are planning on bringing your iron out this year, I suggest that you zip it for rules interpretation. The rules always have allowed for tuning (spring wrap and distributor springs), this is a different matter.

 

You could always just switch to a small block with no low end torque and gobs of hp on the top end. Last thing in the world I want is to not spin and lose the RPM's. Glad the Polyglas tires still pull hard when they do break loose and let you drive it out of the hole with a little throttle massaging. That combined with a healthy gear :laugh: helps get these big tanks rolling. The small block keeps you from running out of engine at the top end.

 

Dave,
Like an R-2? or L79, or a blown Y Block or a Ram Rod?:shock:

 

Thanks for the replies.
The reason I am asking is that someone asked me the question regarding the F/S class that we run at the F.A.S.T. events. At F.A.S.T. events, we use the same rules as the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race so that the racers have a consisent set of rules from one event to the other. It may seem silly, but I will ask Dan for a clarification so that I will know what we allow at our race.
The rules as written seem to have no restriction on what your "ignition box" can do.
There are plenty of programable systems that work with the MSD 6AL to give it every capability that the digital 7 has.

Personally, I don't see why a Pure Stock or Factory Stock car would be allowed ANY aftermarket ignition box, except maybe a rev limiter for missed shift protection.:Smarty:

 

The purists (I count myself among them) agree.

 

In 2003 Dan told me anything that controlled the rate of advance would not be allowed. I am going to guess the answer will be the same today. I did send Dan an e-mail asking for an update to the question.

 

I have a Crane box just for the rev limiter feature...... the car starts a little easier, but does not perform any better

 

There's a word for that... and it rhymes with "Cheetah" and "Peter" :grin:

 

Petah ??


aren't they the animal rights group ??

 

Another timing retard

Personally I don't think ignition curve programable boxes should be allowed......just like pusher pumps.

But what do I know......I run points.:laugh:

 

Re: Another timing retard

All this tech talk is confusing me... what's a pusher pump? Is it those guys that were pushing cars ahead in the pit lanes? Some clarification here please, Benoit?