northstar reluctor wheel initial setup
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
northstar reluctor wheel initial setup
I've done a ton of research on the Northstar ignition system as used on the SBC. I've read the european patent on the NS ignition a hundred times and I've also built a bench system with reluctor wheel driven by an A/C motor that works, but I still don't understand how to setup the reluctor wheel as it aligns with TDC and the 2 crank position sensors. I also don't understand what gets changed in the ECM(in my case it's the 1227165) when converting from an 87 HEI distributor to the northstar Distributorless system. Can someone explain?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
From: Osceola WI
this thread may be your best source of info. Good luck
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-p...way-dizzy.html
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-p...way-dizzy.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Northstar crank sensors read reluctor at different angles. There is one in the upper crankcase and one in the lower. It also uses a cam sensor to locate #1. Northstar also uses sfi. The early engine uses waste spark vs single point ignition. The 2 crank sensors allow for quicker starts. Waste spark is simpler to set up be cause it uses 1 coil for 2 cylinders. One cylinder is on overlap when the other is on ignition. It takes less voltage to jump gap of plug on overlap than one on compression. Coils can build ridiculous voltage depending on system voltage. So coil builds 80kv overlap cylinder uses 5kv to jump plug the remaining 75kv goes to cylinder on ignition. Its a matter of creating a signal or buffer ecm and icm can process. The LTCC module would be a buffer. Buick v6 used both MPFI and waste spark. Crank sensor used an air gap sensor and a balancer with 3 windows one at each crankthrow and one for number 1/4. Since it's mpfi all injectors pulse together. The 1/4 coil is energetized for ignition when single window passes through. Since cylinders are 180 apart in firing order engines starts regardless of whether number 1 or 4 is actually is on compression.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Northstar crank sensors read reluctor at different angles. There is one in the upper crankcase and one in the lower. It also uses a cam sensor to locate #1. Northstar also uses sfi. The early engine uses waste spark vs single point ignition. The 2 crank sensors allow for quicker starts. Waste spark is simpler to set up be cause it uses 1 coil for 2 cylinders. One cylinder is on overlap when the other is on ignition. It takes less voltage to jump gap of plug on overlap than one on compression. Coils can build ridiculous voltage depending on system voltage. So coil builds 80kv overlap cylinder uses 5kv to jump plug the remaining 75kv goes to cylinder on ignition. Its a matter of creating a signal or buffer ecm and icm can process. The LTCC module would be a buffer. Buick v6 used both MPFI and waste spark. Crank sensor used an air gap sensor and a balancer with 3 windows one at each crankthrow and one for number 1/4. Since it's mpfi all injectors pulse together. The 1/4 coil is energetized for ignition when single window passes through. Since cylinders are 180 apart in firing order engines starts regardless of whether number 1 or 4 is actually is on compression.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
I doubt your ECM will process DIS. I think you will need newer generation (P6). The crank trigger will have to be a balancer. You could also look at L31 fuel management for ideas. Torque head uses external air gap sensor set for idea. It depends on your goals, it maybe better to go the LS route. Good luck.
