14 replies to this topic

[adammini]

Hi all,


Ive been meaning to write up some of my experiences from changing from a dizzy to megajolt.

First off, here are a few pics of my installation.











I can definitely recommend converting to megajolt for any mini, especially daily drive minis like mine.

It now runs so much better, even though the ignition map is not spot on.


I think in all it cost me between £250 - £300.

For that I got-

- Second hand Ford EDIS Unit, coil pack and wiring plugs.
- Specialist components crank sensor bracket, wheel and sensor.
- Enough shielded cable for the ignition sensor and from the EDIS unit to the Megajolt. (I used microphone cable)
- Megajolt kit ordered from autosport labs in the States. I bought the MAP sensor option which uses vacuum like a dizzy.
- Set of spark plug leads from Halfords (For a 95 Fiesta I think)
- Set of Riv nuts, so you can bolt the EDIS unit and coil to the bulkhead. They are like large rivets with a threaded centre, bloomin brilliant!
- Serial cable to plug on old PC laptop into the Megajolt for tuning
- Dizzy hole blanking plug from MRA Minis

For building up the rest of the electrical loom, I had an old wiring loom which I cannibalised.
I also had around in the garage a piece of vacuum hose which goes from the carb/manifold to the EDIS unit.



The only problem I had was when I was bolting the specialist components timing disk to the end of the crankshaft, the new bolt they supplied was a fraction too long and was hitting the machined end of the crank so it wasn't 100% tight but it felt like it!
This meant that the timing disk slipped and the timing was well out. It took me 3 days to work out it was the bolt! Took everything apart.. hey ho!

I cured this by adding a washer. I also spoke to specialist components about this and the problem was not the bolt but some crank shafts are not machined well and are shallower when machined out.


Apart from that the conversion is fantastic. Highly recommended!


Hope thats some useful.

Adam

Edited by adammini, 09 February 2008 - 03:00 PM.

[The Matt]

Nice installation

Nice write-up too. I have done the same conversion but mounted my EDIS module and coil on the O/S inner wing. Looks good where yours is though

[adammini]

Thanks Matt,


I thought about fitting it there but found that nice clear area on the bulkhead.

By the way, thanks for your write up, it was very useful!

Ad

[The Matt]

Yeah, no probs. IMO it's definitely a worthwhile conversion. Just the way it starts in the morning, even in the damp makes it great!

[adammini]

hell yea!

How did you find mapping it? Ive still got a bit of a hesitation at 3 - 4k.
Its almost gone but in the cold its more pronounced.

[The Matt]

Mine's still on basic map, just with a little extra advance throughout the range. It's getting rolling roaded soon though to sort it all out

[adammini]

Ah I see, I think mines advanced a bit too. Although I really should get it rolling roaded like you are going to do.

[miniboo]

nice install. i have mounted my coil in virtually the same place

[adammini]

Thanks miniboo, must be a good place to mount the coil!

Did yourself or matt mount a heatsink under the EDIS unit? I decided not to, didnt think it was necessary.

[gceclifton]

looks like ill be hunting through the local scrappy for an EDIS4 and the coil pack.... just ordered the DIY kit from autosprt labs and the plug from MRA minis

I really shouldnt be online this late... i tend to just buy things

[sweetser]

this may be a silly question but what are the advantages off changing from a dizzy to megajolt?
cheers luke

[Ethel]

If you haven't been on Autosport Labs lately there's some info on some upcoming upgrades including an engine temperature input.

Megajolt is a diy programmable ignition setup, it means you can fine tune your ignition advance much better than you can with a dizzy.

[Wil_h]

this may be a silly question but what are the advantages off changing from a dizzy to megajolt?
cheers luke

The advantages are that your car starts every morning first turn of the key, even at -10 deg, it runs much smoother (especially noticable if you have a wilder cam) and it returns much better mpg (if you get the crusing advance right).

Finally, and most importantly, it's maintenance free, no more fannying around with points and worn-out clockwork advance systems.

[JetBLICK]

Whilst, we're currently on the subject... I've been doing a bit of research into mapable ignition lark, at the moment its a toss up between megajolt and an omex 200 system. Both are reasonably priced compared to DTA and both are far more useable than weber alpha bronze systems.

Thing that puts me off with megajolt tho is the fact that its built by a guy in a shed... is he a registered company? and do you have any comeback if it all goes tits up? is there aftersales service?

Omex too, is still built in a shed... its just that they have a bigger shed, and they are a registerd company, and i have found them very helpful in the past when using their products.

Secondly, features. Something that i liked about the omex system is it has the input for a water temp sensor (and an air temp if necessary) which means it can retard the ignition when cold, till the engine warms up. The omex also has a rev limmit feature that can be switched between hard and soft cut, a shift light function and a tacho output.

More importantly tho, i read somewhere (i think) amongst all the very complicated techno-babble, that megajolt only works up to 9000rpm? This is my main concern, as my 1071 is already knocking on the door of 9000 if i let it. The reason for putting an ecu is so i can do more to it, so i can squeeze more power from it without making it un-driveable. However, if its already making that sorta power, what if it starts making power that pushes it over that 9000rpm?

Before people start having a go, 9000rpm is not big or clever, it rapidly reduces the life of your motor etc etc etc

Help would be much appriciated, thankyou

Edited by JetBLICK, 25 February 2008 - 11:38 AM.

[Ethel]

There's likely to be an updated version of 'jolt out this year that will do away with the Ford Edis kit - and any of its inherent limitations. A hard cut limiter has just been released for the current version and an upgrade for a temperature sensor is also on the cards. It already has a tacho driver and quite a few shiftlight / programmable switch options.

Megajolt's biggest advantage is that it's open source so you're not reliant on one guy in a shed but a whole network of them

Edited by Ethel, 25 February 2008 - 12:05 PM.