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AznDrgn · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject: megasquirt: GM vs Ford DIS

For those of your running megasquirt with spark which DIS ignition system are you running and what are the advantages and disadvantages of your setup?? I need help deciding which setup I will use.

From what I've read they both are triggered by a notched wheel attached to the crank. Checking around the junk yards nearby nobody really wants to part with just the ignition system and those who will want about 2/3's the cost of what I can get all the parts new for. The GM parts also seem to be easier to come by since there are quite a few GM motors that run he same DIS system where as the Fords are unique to the 1.9L Escort motors.
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-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

endwrench · Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 1631 Location: Victor, Montana

First, take a look here for Ford EDIS parts:

http://home.earthlink.net/~beanbooger/boost_engineering/

These are not as cheap as a "pull your own" yard but reasonable.

I may be biased but I would go with the EDIS over the GM stuff. The Ford stuff is pretty bullet proof and includes a "limp-in mode" if anything goes sour on the MS end of things. I run a small repair shop and I have never had to replace an EDIS module or coil. I have replaced hundreds of GM's stuff. I think this speaks for itself!

I haven't really looked into the MS+GM-DIS thing but I would assume you would still need a crank mounted trigger wheel and the easiest route for this is going to be a Ford EDIS wheel. If not you will need a custom unit machined for you. More money. Might as well go Ford.

Todd
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'79 924NA. Rebuilt 9.5:1, MSDS header, Mega Squirt Injection, MJLJ-EDIS Ignition, 1.6L Whipple Charger and Intercooler, 10lbs Boost, 944 Trans, Custom HD Clutch.
"simsport" said....superchargers are better than turbos its official!....

AznDrgn · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:40 pm Post subject:

Todd I think I looked at that site in the past and like I said those prices are about 2/3's of what I can have a brand new part with a warranty for. As far as Ford or GM being better I don't think there is a heck of a lot of difference. You've probably seen a lot more replacement GM coils and modules just due to there being more out there since the Ford EDIS is almost completely exclusive to the 1.9L Escort. Both setups use a crank sensor and toothed wheel that can be had from their prospective donor motors and are setup in a similar fashion.
_________________
-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

endwrench · Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 1631 Location: Victor, Montana

Most of the GM products I am familiar with use the actual crank itself as the trigger unit. It is machined directly into the crank. The Buick V6 uses a dual trigger wheel on the harmonic but it is built into it and would be very difficult to tranplant to another vehical.

I work on a $hitload of fords. I am quite thankful for fords or I might not have a succesful business

Ford EDIS was used on way more than Escorts. It is on all the 4.0L Rangers, Aerostars and Explorers plus all the cars with either V6 or V8. Infact I think only the trucks continued to use a distributor thru the 90's. You can go ahead and use that GM crap if you want to. Even the Chrysler and Jeep system are better!

Todd