Std v’s 123 Ignition v’s Megasquirt in general, but as it relates to a V8 too…

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Loafer61

Loafer61

Active Member
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Near Timau, Northern Kenya
Discussion here on a Series 3: https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/electronic-ignition-123-vs-britpart.355918/#post-4945249

And a good (old) discussion here: https://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?6,30614,page=1

However after messing about with the standard ignition on my 3.9EFi, I wondered the collective thoughts on a megasquirt against a 123. I’d love to hear people’s own experiences and recommendations (to fit or to not fit) on either of the aftermarket setups, or even a different (better?) one.

Cheers!
 
I’ve done a bit of research on this of recent. I was going to go megasquirt but am now leaning towards either Holley sniper 2 or fitech for my build. I don’t want to be messing about with maps etc. I just want something that self learns and had it’s own intelligence. Have a look at those mate and see what you think
 
Loafer61 said:
They seem to use hyperspark as their ignition. Love the look of the sniper 2 as a fuel injection replacement.

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You’ll know far more than I - I’ve still got lots of research to do. Last car I had with a dizzy was a good 10 years ago and that was jap and very reliable.
I’m putting a v8 into a 300tdi disco. I do have a v8 loom but I wanted something easy and updated.
The yanks seem to love the sniper on their builds. I haven’t spoken to a Holley rep yet, just discussed fitech with the builder.
I’m not keen that the fitech essentially has its ecu in a very hot location.
Interested in what ideas and moves you make with yours as I’ve never had an RV8 and am forking out a lot of cash to have a special engine for mine as I’ve spent years building my restoration
 
@Loafer61
For what you do with yours do you want to stray away from "easily" available std parts?
The system as fitted is pretty good if kept in good nick.

My 630R runs an OMEX system ( I believe) so maybe look at them. Although its a Chevy engine.
Whatever you do it wont be cheap or easy.

Just going for an electronic distrubutor maybe all you need. I dont know about the 3.9 EFI as to if it self learns fuel trims like the later GEMS/THOR do.

Putting in fuel/igniton maps can have a very expensive outcome if you get it wrong, although MS probably have a very good base map. The ability to change these can give expensive out comes too.

J
 
You speak a lot of sense Marjon, simple systems which are fixable ‘in the field’ is indeed the way ahead for me. I’m just a bit frustrated with the misfire at the moment, but thinking the new distributor cap and rotor will sort this. Judging by the state of the one on the engine. Standby for a rethink soon though. ;)

Interesting…


The 123 Ignition seems to offer as easy route to ‘new’ ignition and be able to swap back relatively easily. I’m wondering if the whole distributor needs changing, in which case the 123 would be the obvious swap.
 
marjon said:
@Loafer61

Just going for an electronic distrubutor maybe all you need. I dont know about the 3.9 EFI as to if it self learns fuel trims like the later GEMS/THOR do.

Putting in fuel/igniton maps can have a very expensive outcome if you get it wrong, although MS probably have a very good base map. The ability to change these can give expensive out comes too.

J
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I kinda wonder if the ‘new’ parts available today are decent quality enough though? Something like the 123 gets past that.

The plugs are certainly showing the mixture to be rich at the moment, but perhaps that is unburnt fuel from the misfire. The ignition system ‘learning’ a bit would be helpful. Going full on, with an injection system too is probably a step too far. I just need a std power v8 with lots of low down torque. I don’t really need the top end (I have a 4 speed autobox on it BTW).

Something from pistonheads…

 
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A new cap and rotor from SimonBBS sorted this issue, so all good there. The Disco is running nicely, but I think I’ll flush the rad (ie take it out) and refill with 50% coolant / distilled water. I’ll also take the under guard off to get at the oil filter and change that with an oil change too. Gives me a chance to cut the filter open and just have a look in there.

I was given some excellent advice on the ‘other’ ignition modules, basically saying stick with the standard version.

Ohm your plug wires. A good set for your application will be less than 5000 Ohms for the longest wire, maybe 500-800 Ohms per foot? Any more than that fuels failure.

The 123 is nowhere near as well made as the original Lucas. If you've remote mounted the module, its as bulletproof as any distributor ever used. A rebuild/recurve will pull the performance out o fit that you may be missing, and most of the time that engine runs better without using the vacuum advance.

The factory EFI is more robust than Megasquirt. If you've never built up a Megasquirt system, you're in for a learning curve shaped like a brick wall. Plan on 2-3 years of research to get it running properly for your first setup. Save your cash and energy for the engine mods. If its running rich, that's your centrifugal advance not working as you need it to.
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Very helpful and saves me putting my hand in my pocket…. For now. 😆
 
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