getting rid of distributor?

[scotts90ranger]

ok, I tried posting this on rangersrevenge.com and got nothing in the last few days, maybe one of you guys can answer...

I'm going to install my turbo engine in a couple weeks and I want to get rid of the distributor and stuff, and go to the DIS, with just the right side plugs. I've heard it's just drilling a couple holes (well, 3 if I heard right) and swapping a few parts over.

does anyone have the template to drill the holes? or should I just make my own... I haven't taken the front part off of my parts engine yet, I need to get the crank pully and front cover thing along with sensor, coil pack and wires and stuff...

I'm down to this and any wiring I can take care of beforehand other than putting my truck down for thanksgiving weekend when I start the swap over...

Thanks!

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

I used the ranger block which already had the crank trigger mounted on it, so I didn't have to tap holes. My truck was already wired for DIS as well, so the only wiring I had to do was cap off a wire or two at the computer because the turbo computers TFI ignitions don't have all the wires the DIS do. One that comes to mind was the "dual plug inhibit" (DPI). I've got a wiring diagram somewhere around here that shows you how to wire the DIS components up to a turbo computer. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a question from the uninformed....

why would you want to ditch the dizzy? seems like timing adjustements are much easier to perform than on a DIS motor (an important thing to have when tuning a turbo motor, yes?).

 

[scotts90ranger]

because it's a stronger spark with the DIS, and I just want to be different I guess... plus I just don't want to deal with the TFI stuff... I've had good luck with the DIS for the last 9 years on my truck.

once you set the base timing, you shouldn't have to touch it again, so it's all about the same, with the DIS it's just setting the timing by the crank sensor, so it's even less trouble...

if you have the wiring stuff, that would be great! Thanks. I can deal with the template once I get the parts off of the parts engine

 

[shadetree]

Wicked is right, you might want to re-think your position on this. If you use the stock computer, you will need a tuner for timing and fuel flow. Much different on a supercharged engine.shady

 

[Davis]

if you have a tuner, DIS is definitely better. you just make any timing changes inside the computer.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'll be using the stock '86 T bird computer. I know the swap has been done, sevensecondsuv just said this is the way he went...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Damn scott i was wondering if you were still around.

Why not just use a hotter coil and keep the dist?

later,
Dustin

 

[therieldeal]

i agree, throw an MSD blaster 2 coil on there or something and you should be fine. ive got one of those on my escort. no spark blow out issues even at 23 pounds, with the stock distributor setup.

 

[Davis]

Everybody over at turbo ford seems to think Motorcraft OEM stuff is just as good if not better than aftermarket.

I'm running an MSD coil though, and have had no issues. I'm sure DIS or COP would be better, but the gains aren't worth the cost to me.

 

[4.6StangRage]

dont mean to barge in on this post but therieldeal your escort is friggin nice!!!

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

The only reason I did it was because I had already spent a great deal of time porting a dual plug head while I was still planning to stay naturally aspirated. The dual plug head requires the dual plug intake, which tries to occupy the same space as a distributor. So I had a choice between keeping the dizzy with a stock turbo head or using DIS with my 220 cfm, large stainless valve, hardened seats, shimmed cam spring head. It wasn't much of a decision.

While the TFI setup is easier to adjust timing on, as was already said, once you're running megasquirt, a twEECer, or moates stuff, the DIS is just as tunable.

The stock DIS timing with an 8UA computer is working great for me. I am running it on only one set of plugs though. If I try to run it on both sets it burns too fast due to the dual plug head's fast-burn combustion chamber shape. This leads to part-throttle detonation.

As was mentioned above, DIS is more reliable than TFI. DIS modules don't have the reputation for crapping out suddenly as you're driving down the road.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i guess "more reliable" is relative....ive never seen a TFI fail with less than 100,000 miles on it. usually closer to 150,000 or more. the TFI on my escort is 230,000 miles old and still going...its even the old style mounted directy to the dizzy (it gets too hot to touch after a few minutes of driving).

 

[dieselboy740]

just megasquirt it. I'm running a edis set up off a escort on my volvo 242 with the ms to do all of my mapping

 

[turbo cat]

+2