500 Bulldog rev limiter
 

Does anyone know if the over speed assembly or rev limiter, can be removed without causing issues with the ignition system on a 500 Bulldog engine. It has a Thunderbolt IV ignition on the engine and the engines are in a 99 Fountain 42 Lightning. Thanks in advance if anyone has any information on this.
Al

It can be removed, but you'll need the wiring harness for a regular TB IV off a Merc black engine.

Thanks Griff, I think I will look at other options to update the whole ignition system.

I'm looking at the same thing- The newest style of the HP 500, the rev limiter is built into the ignition module, it's not a separate box. Is this also able to be bypassed? I'm referring to the set-up with the knock sensor. If not- is it possible to have this re programed for a higher limit.

You may want to look at the Daytona Sensors ignitions. Fully programmable custom timing maps in 2D, or 3D, as well as idle stablization feature, built in rev limit thats adjustable, and preloaded mercruiser timing maps, that can be changed by turning a dial. Compatable with the Mercury Thunderbolt distributor as well.

I have wrote some timing maps on quite a few of these boxes. Even though I drive a truck, have no hands on experience with engines whatsover, specialize in google searches and reading magazines, the results have been good with those ignitions. For the price, considering they come with a good coil, they are are a good deal in my opinion, and very versatile.

The 500 Bulldog is a great candidate for a camshaft upgrade, with some additional rpm.

Thanks Joe, that is the system that I am looking to use. I also have considered using a DUI disributor as an option. Anyone have any thoughts on them? My only issue with the Daytona box is just figuring it out since I am an older person who does not get along good with modern technology. : ) I know some younger people that can figure it out for me if I get stumped. I quit drag racing last year because the class we ran in just got to complicated with all the computers.

They are pretty basic , especially if you want to run a simple pre programmed timing map . Data logging, 3d maps, can get a little more high tech though.

You can basically install it, select from the preprogrammed maps by turning a dial, set the rev limiter by turning a dial, and go. The nice feature is being able to use idle stabilization, which at idle, will bump timing to help maintain a minimum idle rpm, which is nice around the docks.

That is the way I am going to go. I see Barowski has them so that will be my next step. I have already upgraded the cam and everything else on the top ends so this will finish off the build for this year. (Hopefully)

The Daytona is basically the Crane HI-6M that is no longer available. I used that on my last boat and it is a very simple system to set up, and very reliable. When you consider everything that is packed into that box it's a pretty good deal. Most likely that is what I'm going to be using, with my new motors. It's a lot easier to just buy the Daytona box, than trying to hunt down a pair of V8-HP modules and then buy a set of rev limiters. If you do go with that set up, don't forget to buy the matching rotor for your mercury distributor.

Will this ignition work with a distributor from a 96 502 MPI?

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.

You could switch it off if you didn't care for the smoother idle lol

The Thunderbolt V would also adjust timing while underway as well. It was a good system too.

I had some questions but you guys have answered them. Thanks for all the help. I am now anxious to get the boxes and get everything working.

When you get them, feel free to PM me, and we can get in touch via phone or email, and I can try to help you get familiar with the install and programming. Some of it can be kind of confusing at first.

Joe I will do that. It will be a few weeks before I can work on it. The boat is at LOTO and I am in Indy and Northern Wisconsin for the next few weeks. I will get the parts on the way tomorrow.

Sonic, that is the distributor I referenced above.

I was using it in a carbed application. When you do this, the module inside the distributor has it's own advance curve, therefore you have to bypass the module in the dist so the box will have correct timing control .You wire the box to the magnetic pickup in the distributor. It was bunch of years ago, so I don't think I have the pictures, but halfway easy to do.

Thanks SB

ARB38, I run a DUI set up on my black motor. Its a marinized GM HEI and you can run their rev limiter with it as well. I have no complaints after running it for 3 seasons. Its not a mutli-spark unit but it certainly has some juice and lets you run .050"+ plug gaps.

Nowhere near as cool as some of the units the other guys are talking about but its economical plenty of spark for my mild motor.

KevD815, thanks for the input. I have decided to go with the Daytona Sensors ignition. This way if I do more down the road I will be good to go no matter what I do engine wise.