MSD and RAD??

[ColdFusion]

Hey All,

OK...I have a 2000 SJ with MSD Enhancer (among other mods....check link in sig for full list) and I want to install a 61X RAD lightened wheel and a 61X stator to match it.

Everyone I ask says go ahead...toss it on with stock timing and away you go.

EXCEPT one guy in the UK (a marine engineer) who runs Loki Customs (www.lokicustoms.co.uk).


He says the last setup like that he saw resulting in timing that was too advanced and the fronts of the pistons blew off!!

I don't get how a flywheel can effect timing?? I could see if the stator was installed with the timing mark clockwise from the flywheel mark thus advancing the timing....but if the timing marks line-up it should still be stock timing. The only advancing I would see happening is at lower RPMs by the MSD enhancer.

Am I wrong? Anybody else running MSD with a RAD wheel? Any problems?

TIA

Cheers

 

[QJS]

All aftermarket flywheels (that I have tested) have an effect on your ignition in one way or another; this is because the magnets have to be smaller to significantly reduce the weight. To make up for the lack of mass, the strength of the magnet needs to be increased to compensate. If you look at the resulting waveform on an oscilloscope you will find it is different from the one produced by the OEM flywheel. This effects the ignition in a variety of ways, I have seen some alter the timing, some override the rev limiter, some require the rev limiter disconnecting and others do not charge the battery as well.
All that said your set up will work fine if you either check your timing with a timing light and set it accordingly or you don’t have access to one retard your static timing by 4 to 5 degrees.
All of these flywheels work great as long as they are set up correctly and that who ever sets them up know what they are doing.
Chris

 

[ColdFusion]

All aftermarket flywheels (that I have tested) have an effect on your ignition in one way or another; this is because the magnets have to be smaller to significantly reduce the weight. To make up for the lack of mass, the strength of the magnet needs to be increased to compensate. If you look at the resulting waveform on an oscilloscope you will find it is different from the one produced by the OEM flywheel. This effects the ignition in a variety of ways, I have seen some alter the timing, some override the rev limiter, some require the rev limiter disconnecting and others do not charge the battery as well.
All that said your set up will work fine if you either check your timing with a timing light and set it accordingly or you don’t have access to one retard your static timing by 4 to 5 degrees.
All of these flywheels work great as long as they are set up correctly and that who ever sets them up know what they are doing.
Chris

Hey Chris,

hehe...well I guess you know Sprocket ;-)

That's some truly useful and thorough advice...thanks ALOT!! That filled in some big blanks for me!

I don't have a timing light and wouldn't know what to do with it....but a neighbour does....so I can go that route if needed.

So to retard by 4-5 degrees....how can I tell I've done it right? I assume it's literally 4-5 degrees....turn the stator counter clockwise 4-5 degrees from stock?

TIA

Cheers

 

[SUPERJET-113]

Before I went to TL, I ran a RAD 61X alum charging flywheel and a MSD Enhancer. I just set the stator at stock settings and was fine on 91 pump gas and 175-180 lb. compression. I suppose you could advance if you want and dont go WFO for more than a block and you'd be fine, but I didnt and had no problems whatsoever.

 

[ColdFusion]

Before I went to TL, I ran a RAD 61X alum charging flywheel and a MSD Enhancer. I just set the stator at stock settings and was fine on 91 pump gas and 175-180 lb. compression. I suppose you could advance if you want and dont go WFO for more than a block and you'd be fine, but I didnt and had no problems whatsoever.

Good to know Super....thanks!

That's what most folks have told me.

I think I'll try retarding it a bit as Chris says....can easily change that later if I want.

BTW...my comp is in the same range as well...so good to know we've got ver similar specs ;-)

Cheers

 

[SUPERJET-113]

I wouldnt retard it IMO.. You'll just loose bottom end hit. I would just line it up on the marks even and leave it and just run 91 pump or whatever you get up there that is close.

 

[ColdFusion]

I wouldnt retard it IMO.. You'll kust loose hit. I would just line it up on the marks even and leave it and just run 91 pump or whatever you get up there that is close.

Arrrgghhhhhhh...opinion overload ;-)

I've got this same post on a few boards....so loads of info coming in.

Yep...I've considered the hit lose...certainly not desirable.

I've got 87 octane in the tank right now (should be 91...keep forgetting when I fill the gas can). So I'll probably retard a bit for now...run out the low octane gas...then advance back to stock and run 91.

Hopefully I won't be back asking how to deal with blown pistons ;-)

Cheers

 

[yigaljet]

enhancer+rad charging

running this set up for 7 years on several ski's
retard 5 milimiters counter clockwise and you will be fine
the rad flywheel should be new ,after 5 years the 4 inch aluminum washer on the back will crack
yigal

 

[Matt_E]

My input....here's my setup:

61X bigbore, 85mm Wiseco round tops, freestyle ported
ADA Head, 84mm domes 38cc, cranking compression 165-170psi.
RAD Flywheel, stock CDI with rev limiter removed.
I Had the stator set at about 3 degrees advanced over stock.
This destroyed two spark plugs in short order (within one tank each). The center electrode body would separate from the outer metal shell.
One plug also loosened.
I retarded the timing back to stock, and the plug problems went away.

 

[ColdFusion]

Thanks Guys,

My Bendix threw a tooth on Friday, so the install =had to go ahead ;-) I picked up a couple of used Bendix (Bendi spl?) from a local rider and he has my setup....high comp head....MSD Enhancer....RAD wheel.....no problems.

So I set mine to stock timing and man does she pull now....suddenly tricks are much easier!! ;-)

It's a tad tough to start right now....think the Bendix is having trouble engaging the wheel....I can hear it spin, but after 4-5 attempts it enganges and she fires up fast.

At low RPM it really rumbles like an old muscle car....more than before the wheel...so I bet it has advanced a bit from where it was.

Time will tell

Cheers