DIM Electronic Advance Ignition

Bill,

About the ion ignition. I did my own development @ 1998, and later found that it was already used on Saab engines. I started by using a CDI unit that I designed and built 1971 for a high school science project. I got an A-. Years later took it off, when I sold my first car, a 1966 Dodge Cornet with a \6. I used it with capacitors local to the plugs, charge resistors and HV diodes for blocking for normal ignition strike. I specially fabricated the units, using bakelite VW Bosch plug terminal ends. My intent was a high energy ignition, it was that. The plugs shot white balls of fire with a pop louder than the old style cap guns, used as a kid. I monitored the capacitor current with a current transformer, and found the flame envelope signature. I used it on my 1963 VW Beetle, with a switch to turn on the HV supply. It made a difference in cold weather when the choke was on, the idle was much improved. I then got sidetracked with job change, and sold the bug. After research, there is a simpler way to inject the current, and at a lower voltage. The 300V was way too much, 80V is more typical and will not erode the plugs.

TrailBeast,
If I am not mistaken the 8-pin GM HEI may work in the limp home mode (analog dwell control as in 4-pin), without computer with a mechanical advance distributor. If a computer controls the spark, a locked rotor distributor with correct rotor phasing is required.