observations of new CDI Unit
#1
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After having my car, 83SC, towed twice for ignition failure, once the original and the second time for the Permatune, I read here about a new CDI that was available for our cars. I asked my shop to get one and fit it. Its a direct replacement too. Here's what I found.
My car starts easier and better. The engine sounds different(better). My mechanic told me he had to readjust the fueling to suit. Made everything better. I get more mpg and I pull more RPM's up the toll road. By my house I have a steep hill and I now used a higher gear. I don't know how much more HP but it sure feels like more. If I'm pulling more RPM's I expect I've got more power. With the price of gas now, I expect the savings in gas will pay for this unit very soon.
Awesome piece! Thanks M42racer for the tip. Priced good to. Part is available from Link Engine Management USA. Not sure tel # but they are on the webb.
Paul
My car starts easier and better. The engine sounds different(better). My mechanic told me he had to readjust the fueling to suit. Made everything better. I get more mpg and I pull more RPM's up the toll road. By my house I have a steep hill and I now used a higher gear. I don't know how much more HP but it sure feels like more. If I'm pulling more RPM's I expect I've got more power. With the price of gas now, I expect the savings in gas will pay for this unit very soon.
Awesome piece! Thanks M42racer for the tip. Priced good to. Part is available from Link Engine Management USA. Not sure tel # but they are on the webb.
Paul
#2
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I did a web search for Link Engine Management and came up with this: <a href="http://www.link-electro-usa.com/v2/home.html" target="_blank">http://www.link-electro-usa.com/v2/home.html</a>
Is this the same people? I don't see anything like what you are describing on their page.
Is it a direct plug-in replacement for the Bosch like a permatune, or is there more to it? How much did it cost?
Tom
Is this the same people? I don't see anything like what you are describing on their page.
Is it a direct plug-in replacement for the Bosch like a permatune, or is there more to it? How much did it cost?
Tom
#3
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emcon5,
The unit was $ 544.00. Less than Bosch but a little more than Permatune. My tow bill off the freeway was more than the difference.
The unit comes with a very small adapter harness, about 4 inches long from what I can see. The stock wiring plugs right in. My mechanic did no wiring. It looks like the original holes are use in the plate on the side, but I can see what looks like 2 new ones too. My invoice did not reflect any extra work to fit.
This thing is fantastic. The difference is huge and amazing. I'm sure if you contact them they will tell you what they have. When my mechanic first installed the Permatune he warned me about the failure rate that he had, but what was our choice. Very limited unless you want to get into a big wiring job. After he test drove my car he told me he was going to use them on all of his customer cars. He told me that one of the owners of Andial has one on his car. That was why he chose it. I can now see why.
Paul
The unit was $ 544.00. Less than Bosch but a little more than Permatune. My tow bill off the freeway was more than the difference.
The unit comes with a very small adapter harness, about 4 inches long from what I can see. The stock wiring plugs right in. My mechanic did no wiring. It looks like the original holes are use in the plate on the side, but I can see what looks like 2 new ones too. My invoice did not reflect any extra work to fit.
This thing is fantastic. The difference is huge and amazing. I'm sure if you contact them they will tell you what they have. When my mechanic first installed the Permatune he warned me about the failure rate that he had, but what was our choice. Very limited unless you want to get into a big wiring job. After he test drove my car he told me he was going to use them on all of his customer cars. He told me that one of the owners of Andial has one on his car. That was why he chose it. I can now see why.
Paul
#4
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Paul,
Cool piece. Glad you like it. It's a secret weapon not many know about. I know some who use it in PCA and POC and get extra allowable HP. When I first got my 930 (posted on 911 Turbo pages under what a find) I got one of their units to run the twin plugs. Only needed one CD box to drive the 2 coils. I posted before about this CDI unit and sent the expert here(Steve Weiner) info about it. I know what you mean. I've had one. The're awesome.
Simon
Cool piece. Glad you like it. It's a secret weapon not many know about. I know some who use it in PCA and POC and get extra allowable HP. When I first got my 930 (posted on 911 Turbo pages under what a find) I got one of their units to run the twin plugs. Only needed one CD box to drive the 2 coils. I posted before about this CDI unit and sent the expert here(Steve Weiner) info about it. I know what you mean. I've had one. The're awesome.
Simon
#5
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This is interesting, because I am rebuilding my engine right now, and am on the fence but leaning toward twin plug. I do not want to go with a crank fired system, I was planning on a 964 based distributor with SC guts from Rennsport.
Is the link I posted above the same guys? If so, it looks like they just do engine management systems, no ignition systems are listed.
Tom
Is the link I posted above the same guys? If so, it looks like they just do engine management systems, no ignition systems are listed.
Tom
#6
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Tom,
I had reason to stop at my mechanic this morning,(replace hood shocks) and I asked him about these CDI units. This is what he told me he was told by Link.
Link USA sells 3 different CDI units designed for the Porsche. 3 pin, 6 pin for single coil, and a 6 pin for two coils. If you need two coils for twin plug engines you only need to by 1 of these units. I asked him for the phone number. Its 949 646 7461. Another plus for me is they offer a 12 month warranty. More power and a warranty. I love my car and now its even better.
Paul
I had reason to stop at my mechanic this morning,(replace hood shocks) and I asked him about these CDI units. This is what he told me he was told by Link.
Link USA sells 3 different CDI units designed for the Porsche. 3 pin, 6 pin for single coil, and a 6 pin for two coils. If you need two coils for twin plug engines you only need to by 1 of these units. I asked him for the phone number. Its 949 646 7461. Another plus for me is they offer a 12 month warranty. More power and a warranty. I love my car and now its even better.
Paul
#7
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Paul,
I live in So. Orange County. I would like to learn more about this unit. Always have the fear of an old CDI unit going out. I was even going to go out and buy a used one to keep in the trunk.
Andial has installed this? I will talk to them today. They rebuilt my motor and trans.
Thanks for the tip.
Ray
I live in So. Orange County. I would like to learn more about this unit. Always have the fear of an old CDI unit going out. I was even going to go out and buy a used one to keep in the trunk.
Andial has installed this? I will talk to them today. They rebuilt my motor and trans.
Thanks for the tip.
Ray
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#8
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Ray,
Did yu find out any further imfo on these units? The only area of concern is the reliability. what I have found out is that many are out there an no one has had problems. I'm sure if one of the owners of Andial uses one, they must be good to go. keep us posted on what they said. Now all I have to worry about is the distributor crapping out. My mechanic has told me he is getting in a drop in repalacement for our distributors when they go bad.
Paul
Did yu find out any further imfo on these units? The only area of concern is the reliability. what I have found out is that many are out there an no one has had problems. I'm sure if one of the owners of Andial uses one, they must be good to go. keep us posted on what they said. Now all I have to worry about is the distributor crapping out. My mechanic has told me he is getting in a drop in repalacement for our distributors when they go bad.
Paul
#9
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Simon,
I've read the posts about your 930 on the 930 board. Wow! You have a great car. I can only hope on day I can afford one. Thanks for the tip about the CD box. Seems you know where to go for all the good stuff. Any more tips for us dummies.
Paul
I've read the posts about your 930 on the 930 board. Wow! You have a great car. I can only hope on day I can afford one. Thanks for the tip about the CD box. Seems you know where to go for all the good stuff. Any more tips for us dummies.
Paul
#10
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I called and spoke with someone at Link, and they sent me this. Sorry for the quality, no scanner, so I used a digital camera.
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/emcon5/CDI.jpg" alt=" - " />
Apparently if you buy from them, they fabricate a short harness that plugs into the stock CDI connector into their CDI box. The box has what he called a "standard flat Bosch connector"
He said that Link has been in the engine management business for a long time, and the CDI is an adaptation of an off-the shelf CDI they already sold. He said that they provide CDI units to Motec.
More interesting is the twin plug adaptation. Their twin plug CDI is just a standard unit with higher output, and uses the stock harness. All you need to do is add a second coil and connect the standard 2 wires to both, either by splicing in a splitter, or by making a simple pair of jumper wires between the terminals on the coils.
There was some other nice stuff, like an LED on the box to tell you if it is working, short protection, so if your coil shorts it won't fry the box. He also said it was all digital, and that Permatune and Bosch are Analog.
If someone who knows a lot more about ignition systems could comment on this, I would appreciate the input.
EDIT: to replace image, see post below
Tom
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/emcon5/CDI.jpg" alt=" - " />
Apparently if you buy from them, they fabricate a short harness that plugs into the stock CDI connector into their CDI box. The box has what he called a "standard flat Bosch connector"
He said that Link has been in the engine management business for a long time, and the CDI is an adaptation of an off-the shelf CDI they already sold. He said that they provide CDI units to Motec.
More interesting is the twin plug adaptation. Their twin plug CDI is just a standard unit with higher output, and uses the stock harness. All you need to do is add a second coil and connect the standard 2 wires to both, either by splicing in a splitter, or by making a simple pair of jumper wires between the terminals on the coils.
There was some other nice stuff, like an LED on the box to tell you if it is working, short protection, so if your coil shorts it won't fry the box. He also said it was all digital, and that Permatune and Bosch are Analog.
If someone who knows a lot more about ignition systems could comment on this, I would appreciate the input.
EDIT: to replace image, see post below
Tom
#13
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Tom,
Thats the one. If you are thinking about a new CDI I can recommend this one for sure. This weekend I gave my friend a ride in my car and he thought I had modified the engine. He also has a SC. I told him what I did. Even though he does not need to, he's going to change too.
Paul
Thats the one. If you are thinking about a new CDI I can recommend this one for sure. This weekend I gave my friend a ride in my car and he thought I had modified the engine. He also has a SC. I told him what I did. Even though he does not need to, he's going to change too.
Paul
#14
Former Vendor
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A simple "Y" connection to drive two coils?
That sounds hosey to me. The impedence of those coils won't be identical, so one of the two is going to see more current.
That sounds hosey to me. The impedence of those coils won't be identical, so one of the two is going to see more current.
#15
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ok,
I'm really intrigued by this new CDI unit - I have an 81 SC, and other than SSI's and a sport exhaust, that's all my 'bolt-on' go-fast goodies. At the risk of playing Devil's advocate, I'm curious as to how well you think your car was running overall (other than the original failure and the Permatune). How long had you owned it before the original unit went bad? The reason I ask is because if your engine's performance was being impeded from the 'get-go', and the Permatune obviously wasn't the answer, I'm wondering if the car is simply now running as it should have been.
Simon - do you have any performance data on this unit? Did you dyno your 930 before/after? As a 'mechanically-challenged' SC driver, if I can add some significant HP with another 'bolt on', I'm reaching for my checkbook! *G*
Anyone else - other than anecdotal 'butt-dyno' reports - anyone have any measurable data?
Thanks in advance...
I'm really intrigued by this new CDI unit - I have an 81 SC, and other than SSI's and a sport exhaust, that's all my 'bolt-on' go-fast goodies. At the risk of playing Devil's advocate, I'm curious as to how well you think your car was running overall (other than the original failure and the Permatune). How long had you owned it before the original unit went bad? The reason I ask is because if your engine's performance was being impeded from the 'get-go', and the Permatune obviously wasn't the answer, I'm wondering if the car is simply now running as it should have been.
Simon - do you have any performance data on this unit? Did you dyno your 930 before/after? As a 'mechanically-challenged' SC driver, if I can add some significant HP with another 'bolt on', I'm reaching for my checkbook! *G*
Anyone else - other than anecdotal 'butt-dyno' reports - anyone have any measurable data?
Thanks in advance...