ignition box

[PUNKN8R]

So I am thinking of changing my ignition box and was wondering if anyone is using a rev n ator. I have read an article in mopar muscle but would rather hear first hand about your true feelings based on your experience. I also like the idea of the built in rev limiter . I am running an orange box now. Any info will be appreciated. Thanx.

 

[rsd859]

If I could afford one I would be running it! Seems to be the real deal.

 

[Kern Dog]

I had one in the Charger. If you have read the thread here.."Living with 10.8 compression on the street" you'll know that I have been dealing with an ongoing detonation problem with the car. The REV-N-Nator box only added to it. The co-owner of the company told me that these ECUs take a different approach to their function and that the user may need to reduce their timing to eliminate detonation. I backed mine off by 3-4 degrees and while it ran fine at full throttle, it was lazy off idle because my initial timing of 17 degrees was now around 13-14. I'd need to dig into the distributor to close up the spread in mechanical advance to take advantage of this ECU. I thought about returning mine for a refund, but I'm going to keep it and see if I can make it work.
In an engine that it less likely to detonate, this may be a decent unit.

 

[Budnicks]

Bad fuel & compression with too much timing lead... If you choose to Use the Rev-N-Nator @ www.thertgarage.com {or to properly attack/set up your distributor, for performance on any applications} you will need to slow the mechanical advance down & limit the vacuum advance too or you will have detonation issues running above 12* BTDC initial timing {pretty much stock cam} or timing advance 34-36* BTDC of total advance {were it should be} with the vacuum advance in & mechanical advance in all the way in @ 3000 rpm {with out running race fuels or octane additives} or you can completely disconnect the vacuum advance & cap the vacuum port... The fix is supposedly a Lighter set of centrifugal advance weights {supposedly you can drill you originals to lighten them or get new ones from MP, Mr. Gasket or Moroso, "I think" it is that sells them} &/or use with heavier pull springs added & then turn the Allen head adjustment all the way in, on the vacuum pod, if you have an adjustable vacuum advance MP CEI distributor & plan to still use vacuum advance... That will supposedly work, with aftermarket most camshafts & more compression or smaller combustion chamber heads with 91-93 octane fuel on the street... I haven't tried the Rev-N-Nator yet, they are a cool concept, but the MP CEI Chrome box is pretty much hassle free, will surfise for 90% of the application out there & great for the street/strip performance, w/20* of dwell, good to 8500rpm, but you should still tune your distributor for your specific engine needs anyway... Good luck

 

[rsd859]

Im really happy with my orange box, even tho there are mixed reviews. Its been on for a month now and i could tell the difference instantly. I also thought about going with the summit multi spark ign box too, but I wanted mopar parts under the hood for now.

 

[PUNKN8R]

Gregory I had read a thread on another forum that addressing the same kinda problem the manufacturer said to eliminate the ballast resistor and give the rev box a full 12volts and that cured problem I am running a higher comp. Ratio with. 110 octane race fuel an d have a mild stall-stutter upon hard acceleration .

 

[PUNKN8R]

I guess the rev n ator is not just plug n play after all...... so if I understand this correctly I will have better luck with the chrome box rather than my orange box? So in your opinion Bud how should I tune dist. with orange box installed this might be my problem. As I have a (stall-stutter) flat spot from dead start hard acceleration then she'll roast the tires and take off like I stole her. I run with my dist. at full vac. advance the guy I purchased my Satellite from said he had a lot of money put into motor believe it has 12:1 comp not sure about cam size it has a edelbrock 850 carb. and she runs on 110 octane race fuel. (a bit pricey for the street I know! ) But She's a blast to drive though! LOL!

 

[Budnicks]

There site even say under FAQ on the Rev-N-Nator product page, down near the middle... "you can bypass/run with out a ballast resister for Race Only application, with short term use", like at the track, but for regular street driving they also say "it's highly recommend", to use a ballast resister for everyday street use...

 

[Budnicks]

I guess the rev n ator is not just plug n play after all...... so if I understand this correctly I will have better luck with the chrome box rather than my orange box? So in your opinion Bud how should I tune dist. with orange box installed this might be my problem. As I have a (stall-stutter) flat spot from dead start hard acceleration then she'll roast the tires and take off like I stole her. I run with my dist. at full vac. advance the guy I purchased my Satellite from said he had a lot of money put into motor believe it has 12:1 comp not sure about cam size it has a edelbrock 850 carb. and she runs on 110 octane race fuel. (a bit pricey for the street I know! ) But She's a blast to drive though! LOL!

IMHFO Your stumble is no doubt "a not properly tuned Edelbrock 850 Carburetor", I'm not a big fan of there carbs...... someone else can help you with that issue..... With 12:1 compression your pretty much stuck using "at least a blend of both 105-116 octane Racing gas & 91-93 octane fuels", or you will have detonation issues..... You could go to Ethanol Blends with grain alcohol to boost your octane & help with detonation, if tuned you are properly tuned for that blend of fuel & have no rubber lines or rubber O-rings or un-anodized raw aluminum or bare untreated steel etc. in the fuel system or tank.... If your occasionally racing & regular street driving mostly, IMHFO the MP Chrome CEI Box is the way to go.... The only boxes, I've ever had any issues with or that have failed me, were the old Direct Connection or new Mopar Performance Orange Boxes {not sure why either, I use my orange box as an emergency spare}, or any of the knock off Blue Boxes or regular parts store cheapo knock offs, don't seem to last either... I use a MP Chrome CEI Box for all around street/strip driving... in my personal experiences anyway...

 

[PUNKN8R]

Thanx Bud appreciate the info I'll try a tune up and tune the carb as well just seems to be an experimental experience I almost have the kink worked out but its still rears its ugly head from time to time. seems like it almost intermittent.. Think I'll also check into getting me one of those there chrome boxes as well, are these chrome boxes plug and play by chance ?? I already am using a msd blaster 2 coil. As the stock coil crapped out....

 

[Budnicks]

Thanx Bud appreciate the info I'll try a tune up and tune the carb as well just seems to be an experimental experience I almost have the kink worked out but its still rears its ugly head from time to time. seems like it almost intermittent.. Think I'll also check into getting me one of those there chrome boxes as well, are these chrome boxes plug and play by chance ?? I already am using a msd blaster 2 coil. As the stock coil crapped out....

yes if you already have a CEI ignition box it will be plug & play bolt-on

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check your air gap in the distributor too, but make sure to use a nonmagnetic brass/bronze feeler gauge & it should be set @ 0.008" air gap...

 

[PUNKN8R]

Thanks again !!!