US1, I wasn't their when he tried my Crane box system. I'll have to ask him. I know that when we dyno'd MY engines (the 540's)we could get the idle down to 500rpm with a 70 pound brake load from the dyno. This simulated the engine as if we were idling through the channels, piers and "NO WAKE" zones. With my engine we didn't run it any other way because I already owned the Crane ignition system anyway. I should also note that I run the MSD crank trigger system on my engines with a MSD Billet distributor. That crank trigger doesn't EVER MOVE...the timing is ALWAYS right on whenever we check it! Tom Earhart (dyno owner/operator and marine engine guru) really likes the Crane system. He even uses one on his engine in his snowmobile!
He's in the engineering field and has something to do with designing and testing fuel injection systems for all kinds of crazy stuff...including train diesel locomotives. I hope I'm accurate in remembering this, but Tom was telling us how a locomotive these days has twelve pistons that are about 12-14 inches in diameter which are about 700 cubic inches each...that's EACH PISTON! These train engines make about 4000hp @1100rpm...the torque was the most impressive and for some reason I CANNOT remember what the figure is....dang! It's several thousand for sure....it's way over and above the horsepower figure of 4000 though!

So if I have to keep my idle at 1000 rpm to stay running in gear, (possibly a touch rich), these ignitions will really help because of the hotter, multi spark? Idle quality is what I'm really looking for.

Just put a pair for sale at a good price in the major component section.

Todd H

US1, yes it should really help the idle quality of the engine, especially when you have to manuver around docks, boat traffic, water currents and wind. It's a bad thing when you encounter these things and your engine(s) keeps dying from loading up, etc. With the Crane ignition you'll benefit from the mulitspark it gives at low rpm.

Hi Todd!

How are ya? is the boat coming along?

Good Luck with it!

Todd

"These train engines make about 4000hp @1100rpm"

Wow, that's over 19,000 ft-lbs of torque.

Re: Crane Hi6M ignition
 

Iron Man-
I am also using the Stock Merc HET distributor, removing the Thunderbolt box, and adding the Crane HI-6M.
Is the performance better?
How did th etach hook up?
Did you need the tach adapter?

Re: Crane Hi6M ignition
 

Try carshopinc.com
They have it for $294.95 They've pretty much beat any price I've got anywhere else. I've also called and spoke with Tim (1-800-603-4359), always very helpful.
http://crane.carshopinc.com/product_...6290/6000-6462

Re: Crane Hi6M ignition
 

I've got it on my 454 making 560hp 550lb.
It helps w/ timing and gives a nice rev limiter.

Re: Crane Hi6M ignition
 

This thread certainly goes back a few years! By the way, I still have the same Crane Hi-6M Marine ignition boxes, and PS-92 coils that I originally had and they still work fine. I purchased them about 5 years ago. One was even drenched with high pressure water.