Hello All,

After exhaustive research and talking to a a lot of people that are having problems with how there turbo cars run, I have come to the conclusion that MSD igntions are not entirely compatable with our cars.

There are a few pretty technical reasons for this that I won't get into here but I am working with MSD to solve the problem.

You might have heard discussions blaming the JWT ECU for part throttle running rich and blubbring stumbles that have plauged even the smartest turbo running people in our comunity?

After weeks of crap, I have determined that all of this is a triggering issue with the MSD box! Although I have sent Ignition parts to MSD for testing, they need a car to experiment with. The trouble is that MSD is in El Paso TX and I am in Californina and cannot get a car down there.

Is there anyone in the area that can go to MSD and let them check a few parameters? I will be a great aid in the advancement of SR20 development. This is a serious issue.

Mike

I think there are a few se-r guys that live in el paso on the TX list, I will post this in the TX forum as well. unfortunately TX is huge and Dallas is about a 10 or so hour drive.

Originally posted by brian
I think there are a few se-r guys that live in el paso on the TX list, I will post this in the TX forum as well. unfortunately TX is huge and Dallas is about a 10 or so hour drive.

Thanks for your help Brian!

Mike

Originally posted by choaderboy2
Hello All,

After exhaustive research and talking to a a lot of people that are having problems with how there turbo cars run, I have come to the conclusion that MSD igntions are not entirely compatable with our cars.

There are a few pretty technical reasons for this that I won't get into here but I am working with MSD to solve the problem.


Mike

Mike

As always thanks for the research. I am running a MSD NA on a VE. Is this an issue for me also? Will the hopefull re-work be able to be retrofitted on to existing MSD cars.

Originally posted by 98sr20ve


Mike

As always thanks for the research. I am running a MSD NA on a VE. Is this an issue for me also? Will the hopefull re-work be able to be retrofitted on to existing MSD cars.

Do you have any rough running issues or misfiring anywhere in your powerband but perhaps mostly noticeable under light load?

Mike

Originally posted by choaderboy2


Do you have any rough running issues or misfiring anywhere in your powerband but perhaps mostly noticeable under light load?

Mike

No, it runs a little smoother with the MSD under 3K. After that it feels normal. No light load issues at all. I did dyno low the other day but I think that was the TPS not reading 4v at WOT. Instead it only generated 3.25 volts.

Mike--

I have a MSD Digital 6 box on my '93 SE-R. No issues like you described above, whatsoever.

I also know of a Houston forum member who might be willing to help.

IM me later on tonight, and we can talk about it. :)

Originally posted by choaderboy2


Do you have any rough running issues or misfiring anywhere in your powerband but perhaps mostly noticeable under light load?

Mike I have these issues with my car that has the stock ignition. I do have C2 cams and ecu along with many other mods. I have been struggling to diagnose this issue.

Same thing with me soupa. My car is cranky under 3k.

dont worry everybody, I will be there this thursday or so !!! lucky for all of us I am moving all my stuff (including my car) back to LA , so El Paso happens to be on the way to CA on the 10 FWY so, I hope everything works out well, I am very excited about this because I always thought that low rpm stuttering was something wrong with my engine, I always wondered if there was a way to upgrade that damn transistor or what ever hopefully we can find out soon!! One more step towards SR20 supremacy!!!:cool: Good thing Mike K. figured this out.....who knows if the mysterty would have ever been solved...

Originally posted by NX$paniard
Good thing Mike K. figured this out.....who knows if the mysterty would have ever been solved...

Even though mine runs great with the MSD it's nice to know someone is able to get things done in our community. We owe a great deal to him and others like him.

WORD!!

It would be nice if they could make the box a plug and play for the SR20 coil instead of having to splice wires. That would be appreciated. I know a lot of people who say the JWT is making their DET's run like crap under 3K. Some even use a AFC to compensate.

oddly enough thats when the multiple spark discharge (MSD) occurs is under 3k...so i guess maybe that damn transistor gives the MSD box a slow, weak or erroneous signal...who knows... hopefully we can figure something out on thursday...

Originally posted by choaderboy2
Do you have any rough running issues or misfiring anywhere in your powerband but perhaps mostly noticeable under light load?

This is what I'm experiencing but with a stock VE ignition and a JWT ECU. Actually it doesn't run rough or backfire but rather stumbles or surges slightly under light to medium load. Do you think I'd benefit from using a soon to be revised MSD ignition?

Originally posted by Shoes59

This is what I'm experiencing but with a stock VE ignition and a JWT ECU. Actually it doesn't run rough or backfire but rather stumbles or surges slightly under light to medium load. Do you think I'd benefit from using a soon to be revised MSD ignition?

Jim. Is it Backfire or Afterfire. I have some really cool afterfire coming out my exhaust now that I have the 2.5 inch. I never had that with the other exhaust. I always defined backfire as going thru the intake and afterfire as coming out the exhaust. Afterfire can be caused by some of the no burned fuel hitting the hot exhaust and then igniting. That is exactly what I get when I shut the throttle down at 4000rpm in first and second gear. Makes a couple pops. I love it. Sounds really cool. Doesn't happen often.

Well guys it looks like it isnt ignition related....

MSD ran their tests on my car thursday for about 3 hours and said that even when the car was misfiring/sputtering whatever that transistor continued to provide an accurate trigger signal, they are guessing it is something fuel related...but then again I am still running stock fuel system,.......I think there is a whole nother can of worms to be opened.......Mike K should have all the detail.....The MSD guys were pretty nice though they gave me a new coil and a new set of wires!! :D

Originally posted by NX$paniard
Well guys it looks like it isnt ignition related....

MSD ran their tests on my car thursday for about 3 hours and said that even when the car was misfiring/sputtering whatever that transistor continued to provide an accurate trigger signal, they are guessing it is something fuel related...but then again I am still running stock fuel system,.......I think there is a whole nother can of worms to be opened.......Mike K should have all the detail.....The MSD guys were pretty nice though they gave me a new coil and a new set of wires!! :D

Sorry to hear that. I didn't think they made wires for our cars. I want some.

Sounds like me and my 1991 240SX. Dealer replaced damn near everything and still couldn't get the intermittent sputter/misfire to stop. They even sent some "diagnostic genius" guy from Nissan HQ to come take a look to no avail. Consult doesn't show a thing even while it is happening during the drive.

I'm pretty sure it is harness and ignition related. Once in a blue moon I can wiggle the harness near the TPS and the engine will stumble and die. No error codes are set. Checking harness continuity from end to end with a fast meter that can catch momentary opens doesn't show anything is wrong. I've even unwrapped some of the loom to check for shielding problems, pinched wires, etc and can't find anything wrong. It isn't the TPS either - I've held the harness stationary near the TPS and wiggle the harness further away and it'll happen.

What does seem to help is having all the ignition parts in tip top shape. If it starts acting up, if I pull the plugs, clean and reinstall them everything is wonderful again. Even though the plugs have less than 10K miles on them, have no buildup and look great. Weird.





Originally posted by NX$paniard
Well guys it looks like it isnt ignition related....

MSD ran their tests on my car thursday for about 3 hours and said that even when the car was misfiring/sputtering whatever that transistor continued to provide an accurate trigger signal, they are guessing it is something fuel related...but then again I am still running stock fuel system,.......I think there is a whole nother can of worms to be opened.......Mike K should have all the detail.....The MSD guys were pretty nice though they gave me a new coil and a new set of wires!! :D

Originally posted by Probedude
Sounds like me and my 1991 240SX. Dealer replaced damn near everything and still couldn't get the intermittent sputter/misfire to stop. They even sent some "diagnostic genius" guy from Nissan HQ to come take a look to no avail. Consult doesn't show a thing even while it is happening during the drive.
Weird.

Same here. My 91 NX2000 has done this since new, and just about every electrical component has been replaced under warr., except the ECU.
The only way I could get it to not sputter/misfire is to unplug the O2 sensor. Then she runs fine.
I still believe it's something in the ECU maps.:confused: