The Cal-look Lounge

Hi guys, I want to use my 123-ignition on my 1915cc engine (k8,IDA,cr 10:1). It has 16 different curves of which the manual states 2 are for tuned engines. The curves are from a 009 and 031. I believe 031 was used on a 912? Are these curves any good and which one should I use?

Jesse

I'd avoid any curve that is like the 031. You would have to run next to no initital, and it will total out @ 30 or something like that. In my opinion, hot Vw motors like more initial.... as much as 30 degrees in my own car.
Running 0 initial will result in soft limping idle, sluggish throttle response and poor performance, and maybe even a hot running motor that likes to "diesel" when you shut it off.
Lke I've posted elsewhere, I run no curve, meaning, I run my distributor locked. But this isn't the answer for everyone. You have to be careful. If I dump the throttle wide open at very low rpm in a high load situation, with a warm motor, it WILL ping. So I guess one could argue that my car does not run that well with the curve locked, since I have to make concessions at lower rpm. However, the throttle response, the off idle behavior and overall driveability on the street is vastly better than any Vw running 8 degrees or less initial advance.
My ex boss used to warranty the motors he built dependent on how customer installed and tuned it after they purchased it. For some reason he insisted the motors be set at no more than Zero degrees initial.... never understood why in the world he made customers live by that. You'll know the sound of a motor timed like this.... it just lays down when you rev it, very weak, sounds like it has tight valves or no compression.... god it is awful. Crank another 10-15 degrees in it, and make sure it is fueled correctly and WOW.
I'd experiment with 12-15 initial and 30-32 total. Make sure your accelerator-pump ramps and rollers are like new and have positive action to them or you could get pinging.
Hve fun,

You got me a bit lost here Jim. I'm a real noob on ignitions. What you are saying is I should take the 009 curve on my 123 ignition and run 12-15 degrees initial advance.

The 123 ignition also has a 022 curve, is that any good?

run what your motor likes. I doubt your IDA motor will like the 022 either... another dog curve.... slow like molasses!
I'd start with 009 and set initial @ 10-12 degrees, but mke sure total (when rpm brings full adv) goes to 32... no more to start or you might have some holes get poked in your motor parts on a hot day.

hello jim,

what about 20 initial and a total advance at 32?
that must me be a good thing?
can nobody modiefie a 009 to that configuration?

any ideas?

dirk zeyen