High-Performance Ignition Systems: Design, Build & Install

by Todd Ryden

Overview

How to Build High-Performance Ignition Systems-Revised Edition is a completely updated guide to understanding automotive ignition systems, from old-school points and condensers to modern computer-controlled distributorless systems, and from bone-stock systems to highly modified.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613251430
Publisher:	S-A Design
Publication date:	01/15/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Todd Ryden was born in Pontiac, Michigan and brought up in Goodrich. He was always around automotive industry muscle cars and some drag racing thanks to his dad and uncles. His first trip down the drag racing strip was at age 14 in his dad's '70 SS Chevelle. Todd received an associate degree in automotive mechanics and a bachelor's degree in general studies. He has worked as a Chevrolet dealership technician, service manual tech writer, and automotive freelance writer.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1:

Electrical System Overview: Introduction to Automotive Ignition Operation
System Sides
The Coil
Distributor
Trigger Device
Timing
Spark Plug Wires
Spark Plugs
Ignition Controls
Battery and Charging System
The Sum of the Parts

Chapter 2:

Distributor Basics: Triggers, Timing Advance and Delivery
Distributing the Spark
Triggering the Ignition
Mechanical Advance
Vacuum Advance
Caps and Rotors

Chapter 3:

Distributors and Timing: Dialing in Centrifugal Advance

Choosing a Distributor
Timing Changes
Centrifugal Advance
Removal and Installation
Adjusting Ignition Timing
Proper Gears and Mesh

Chapter 4:

Performance Ignition Controls: Choosing an Ignition for Your Engine
Inductive System
Capacitive Discharge System
RPM Limiters
Boost Retard
Magnetos
Programming Performance

Chapter 5:

Coils, Wires and Plugs: Take a Look at the Secondary Side
Coils
Spark Plug Wires
Spark Plugs

Chapter 6:

Electronic Accessories: RPM and Timing Controls
RPM Limiters
RPM Switches
Shift Lights
Timing Control
Boost Retard
Locked-Out Timing
Step Retard
Crank Trigger
Rotor Phasing

Chapter 7:

Advanced Ignition Tuning: Performance from a PC
Mechanical Cylinder Timing
Electronic Cylinder Timing
Programmable Ignitions
Timing Retards
Gear Curves
Gear Maps
Boost Timing Map
Step Retard
RPM Function
Slew Limit

Chapter 8:

Going DIS: Where’s the Distributor?

Technological Advances
Coil Pack Ignition Upgrades
Late-Model Muscle
Retrofit Ignitions

Chapter 9:

Batteries, Charging and Wiring: Fuel for the Fire
Battery
Charger
Charging System
Pulleys
Wiring
Relays

Chapter 10:

Definitions and Diagrams: Useful Info and Wiring Schematics
Troubleshooting Your CD Ignition
Wiring an Ignition Control to an HEI

Source Guide

Editorial Reviews

"A worthwhile update on an already excellent title."

American Car Magazine