Digital Ignition Control Box!!!
 

Anyone using a digital ignition box w/rev limiter and 12 sparks/shots per plug VS a anolog ignition box ???? I have had 2 brand new Max Volt MV-D6 blue boxes and both are no good...I hear that MSD's version of the digital box is also no good!!???? I purchased mine from KE Performance and they were I guess built by Hardin Marine !!!! Anyone having good luck///bad luck??????????????? Mike-----Tampa Bay!!!!

I am running a basic digital 6 box from MSD so far so good..also using their matching coil...

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Daytona Sensors. Very nice! Digital, RPM LIMITERS, Ignition curves matching Merc, 3 D ignition curves custom with Interface cable and software. It also comes with ignition coil. Underwriters Certification for Marine. If I can help with any more, let me know.

I'm running the MSD 6M-2 with their separate rev limiter box, HVC coil and distributor. I'm running 10:1 with a pretty big cam and the timing locked at 34 degrees. It runs perfect, I can idle down the river for hours without loading up the plugs and I have hit the 6k limiter several times and it doesn't pop or cut out hard. I just checked the plugs before I winterized the boat and they look amazing and this is on a carbureted boat. I've heard a lot of negative on the MSD stuff, but you couldn't prove it by me. I've thought about getting a more sophisticated setup so I could alter timing based on MAP input but it runs so good now and if it pulled any harder my Bravo would get blown to bits.

Thanks to all your input guys---KE Performance finally answered me today, after 3 weeks----they tested my Blue Max-Volt--MV-D6 box and said it was no good---I have a brand new engine and this box only had 12 hours on same---as my new engine----Awaiting for them to test same-I also bought a new one--same results----no goood---SOOoooo they are going to send me a MSD Analog box-to get me on the water---I guess some day the digital will be better ?????? The Blue Max box also had a system where it would retard the timing on starting--and I think that is the problem--but I don't know-----trying to start same-huge backfires out the exhaust only-not the carb---Maybe the basic digital box would be better---more hotter spark BUT I just want to get on the water---The rain has stopped here in Florida!!!! I guess in the uture I should check out the Daytona series stuff-------------Thanks-Mike -- Tampa Bay

I have the Crane Digital Fireball Boxes. Built in limiters, no issues. Im happy with them. Had the MSD 6M-2 analog boxes, those worked ok, until well, they failed. Twice. Two boxes in 2 seasons. Ditched them for Crane. My next purchase will be Daytona Sensors.

I have a old crane Marine fireball , I use on the dyno. Just so you know; the engineer for Daytona, designed the original one for crane. But as I was told by the one owner of the at time of making me a WD. He tried to get crane to up graded to a full digital, cost was the issue. Now it is with all good parts, remember on the crane you could add the knock retard from Livorsi. Daytona, was going to add it, no one wanted it and the supplier shut their doors.

OK----changed over the ignition system today from the Max Volt to MSD--------SAME F-------THING--backfires out the exhaust---spins like a top-give her a squirt of gas--Booom out the exhaust-----Sooooo It can't be the box???? This is the 3rd brand new box I have put on her???

Are you using a thunderbolt distributor, if so you may have to index the rotor? If the Max Volt is like the Daytona or Crane box, I can guarantee, you rotor is out of phase using the any digital box. Please clarify, control box and rotor.

Mark

I just looked at the installation instructions; nothing about phasing rotor, so I do not know.
Is this a new build, rebuild, or something that was running great and the change over has caused this? If you have a new cam, did you double check firing order, 7 4 swap. Sounds stupid; but I have to ask. What is your timing doing up to the point of miss- fire? Just try to keep it simple, and go check everything, it kind of sounds like the timing is retarding it self from your base timing once rpm increases. I do not want to mislead your troubleshooting, sending you all over the place.
See what your timing is doing first, before anything else.

Mark

ok lets go back to the basics..what dist you using? what your describing is that your dist is out 180* or if using the merc dist its not compatible with nothing but the Daytona sensors or crane box..

Yep. Sounds to me like the distributor was installed 180 off, or extremely retarded.

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This a diagram, showing phase correction of rotor.( This may not even apply to this problem)


As far back as I can remember, if you are 180 out. I do not even think the engine will run, just continue to pop through the intake and exhaust. If the rotor phasing is not correct in reference to using a crane or daytona box you will misfire.

I wonder if maybe the engine has a mechanical problem,did you do a compression check?

I am wondering the same thing.

OK---as far as the dist off 180 deg--unless it broke at the bottom--the engine ran perfect for the 1st twelve hours---like a top--no misfire-no skips-real smooth...she ran perfect flushing out the motor at home-to-a day or 2 later , backfiring out the exhaust!!!!????? Knowing everything installed on the motor-and the whole motor is brand spanking new, I can't believe it is mechanical problem, rather than a fire/ignition problem....HOWEVER, i'm not that smart....The engine tech told me not to touch it, until he gets a chance sometime next week-end...Thanks so much for all the input, as I guess right now it could be any of the reasons you guys brought up !!!! Thanks-Mike
PS-the dist being used came as a whole ignition kit----box-wires-magnetic pick up-coil--again all brand new-nothing was used over from the last engine--Thanks!!!

OK--finally today , checked timing ---dist was retarded alot--pulled dist-found a broken snap ring inside attached to the magnetic pick-up------when turning it by hand the ring would sometimes move and lock the gear-----lower gear on the cam was fine--keyway was fine--there are no snap rings in a dist----so it was believed it was picked up at the factory , by accident, when they were building the dist ,--re-installed dist--re-timed same---AGAIN-Thank goodness--Runs like a top---Thanks for all the idea's and input......Mike-Tampa Bay !!!!