While kind of the same, the Daytona ignition has quite a few more features. The crane marine box, did not have ability to build a custom 2d, or 3d timing map, did not have idle stablization, data logging, start retard, etc.

Even with a basic 2d map, you can run say 36 degrees of timing at idle, and pull it back right off idle, bring it back in later, etc. Theres alot you can do with it. It's even better with boost. You can be cruising at 3500rpm in a no boost situation, and have 35 degrees of timing, and as soon as you mash the throttles, boost goes to max , timing gets pulled back via the map sensor signal, and can be ramped in any way you want. Its way more capable than the old crane marine box, even though, the crane marine box was a nice piece, you were basically no better than a merc ignition, with an adjustable rev limiter, feature wise that is.

Like it said- Basically. The Merc box also didn't multi spark ignition, which the crane did. While the new box certainly has some new programing features, it's core is the Crane HI-6M.

Endeavour - they also offer for sale an indexed Merc tbolt rotor, so you no longer have to do this if one doesn't want. Crane never did this. I think is way cool too.

You couldn't do this with a crane ignition box.

Imo, even besides the custom timing maps and slew of other features, the "start retard" feature, and "idle stabilization" feature alone, are alone a big bonus over the old crane boxes.

I agree- I always hated drilling the rotor. For $25.00 it's a no brainer.

Yes- you just need to replace the rotor with the indexed rotor that Daytona sells. You can drill your's but it's a pain and for $25.00 its money well spent!

I converted a Merc Voyager / Delco EST to use the Crane Box instead...I really didn't want to deal with the rotor either. LOL.

So what exactly is idle stabilization? I'm assuming it's a multi-spark discharge, other than that what does it do differently?

Its entirely different than Multi spark. Idle stablization, will advance ignition timing as needed, to maintain a set rpm at idle.

IN otherwords, say you have a healthy cam, that likes additional timing when shifted into gear, to not stall out. The ignition box, will add timing, when the rpm drops, say when you put it in gear, to help keep it from stalling.

When watching the idle stabilization feature with a timing light, you will see the timing jumping all over the place, as the idle stabilization, is doing its job.

Yup, I think that is a huge plus of that system too. Unless you want a more rumpity rump tough to dock idle than you otherwise would. LOL.

Merc's tbolt V maintained idle speed the same way....thru adjusting real time base timing.