Tickford Turbo Capri new ECU MSD 6A-2 L programable

[John Spain]

Hi New member. I have a Tickford Turbo Capri 1985. The base engine is a Capri 2.8i After 36 years of owning the car the existing ECU is defunct this is a AFT unit developed with Ford and Tickford and is also used in the Escort 1600i with different mapping. So I am looking for an new system to map and control the ignition. Additional fuel as required is controlled by a separate control unit ( one XJS injector mounted in the inlet manifold) . I am looking at an MSD programable 6AL-2 with the MSD map sensor to monitor boost. Some Details 2.8i with Bosch K-Jetronic., Compression 9:1 IHI Turbo, Garret intercooler. Sensors speed from a magnetic sensor on the the flywheel (not required with a new system) , vacuum and temperature from sensors on the inlet manifold. Has anyone have any experience of the MSD units, and the mapping. I have full details of the existing mapping as done by Tickford originally. Any thoughts please.

[therealpinto]

I have not used the newer programmable version (this one I take it https://www.holley.com/products/igni...ip/parts/65303) but have used some of the older boxes.

Looking at the specs and the manual I do think you could get that one to work pretty well. It is better than the old BTM in the sense that you can actually make a boost retard curve that is not linear, that is really nice. I don't see an option to also map the ignition advance against vacuum though, something that is really useful.

If it was my car I would look into using a 3D mappable standalone ignition system, using a 2.8 dizzy with no advance weights or mechanism at all, to make a truly mapped ignition. Usually it does wonders for driveability in a boosted engine. With the price of the MSD using you would not be far oss actually using something like a MaxxECU Mini just to control timing...and then the step to full EFI would not be too hard. But that might be scope creep here.

Gustaf

[John Spain]

Thank you That is the way I started to think. I am going to have a look at the MaxxECU to start with. I was not sure how easy it would be to run this type of ECU with out using all the facilities injectors etc. certainly price wise it would be about equal. My aim is not to go backwards having kept the car original for 36 years anything I change has to be a necesite and an improvement. There is a vacuum feed for the MSD unit but it requires to add a boost monitor that will put the price equal or more than something like the Maxx ECU. Regarding the dizzy is it just a case of locking it to zero ? The car is running at the moment just on the original ford duraspark box and very well, but I am staying of of the boost. Thanks again good to have some good advice I have been around the houses a bit the last few weeks.

John

[therealpinto]

The MaxxEcu will work fine with no injectors (although you might need to set it up in a way that it thinks it is running them). It's a great system with good support, I run one (MaxxEcu Sport) on my Pinto turbo.

I would use a 2.8 EFI dizzy if possible, it is locked and has a Hall effect sensor already. Failing that, check if you can swap the drive gear on a 2.9 EFI dizzy?

Regards

Gustaf

[John Spain]

That's good I have contacted MaxxECU and explained what i am looking for.

regards

John