Precision Turbo and Engine BigStuff3 GEN3 Powertrain Controller Ignition Setup Tutorial - Manual (Page 3)

2
Type 1 - Stand-alone Distributor (no cam sync signal or crank trigger used)
Stand Alone Distributor Overview
A stand-alone IPU distributor can be used with the GEN3 Pro SEFI system for sequential fuel and
spark control. “Individual Cylinder” fuel control can be implemented (using the Individual Cylinder
Fuel correction table in the BigComm software), but a standalone IPU distributor is not setup to supply
a camshaft synchronization (sync) signal to the ECU. Without the cam sync signal (every 360
o
of cam
rotation) there will be no way to take advantage of “fuel-phasing”, controlling the point BTDC, when
the fuel is injected into the cylinder, or individual cylinder timing control. However, the injectors will
fire sequentially (once per induction cycle), allowing the pulse width to be doubled compared to a
Bank-to-Bank (B2B) system, which fires the injector twice (per cylinder) per induction cycle (2 revs).
The bigger idle pulse width (roughly double the B2B) accomplishes better stroke to stroke repeatability
of the injector resulting in better idle quality, with high flow injectors.
Quick Setup Guide
• Lock out the centrifugal advance. See
Locking_Out_the_Cent_Advance on page 3
• Find TDC, cylinder number one (1), compression stroke. See
Find_TDC on page 20
• Roll the engine back to 50 o
BTDC number 1 compression.
Measuring_Distances_on_the_Dampener on page 20.
• Install the distributor. Make sure it is fully seated by “bumping” the starter until it engages the
oil pump drive while applying a light downward pressure.
• Line one of the reluctors up with the pole piece inside the distributor.
• Tighten down the distributor.
• Roll the engine back to the position BTDC (cylinder 1) equal to the ignition timing the engine
will see at maximum power.
• Phase the rotor and/or reluctor. See
Rotor_Phasing & Reluctor_Repositioning on page 23.
• Connect the red BigStuff3 wire to the purple/black striped MSD distributor wire. Connect
other Distributor wire to BigStuff3 black wire. See Electrical_Connections on page 3
• Connect the BigStuff3 points wire (white) to the MSD ignition box points input.
• In the BigComm Software (Operating Configuration), set the crank reference setting to 50. See
Setting_The_Crank_Reference on page 25.
• Start the engine.
• Using a timing light, verify that the BigStuff3 “Dash” timing advance value is the timing value
at the crank. Change the crank reference value (up or down) until the “Dash” value and the
crank value are the same. See
Dash_Window on page 29.
• Dynamically check the rotor phase. See
Dynamically_Checking_Rotor_Phasing on page 30.
When using an IPU distributor, the centrifugal advance needs to be “Locked Out” (see below). The
BigStuff3 ECU will control the timing advance via the spark map configured in the ECU.