Ignition system upgrades

[ka-titties]

Originally Posted by prandelia

Well, the Cusco coils are in, heavy duty heat-shield has been applied to key areas (in addition to my dual sided cera-coated headers), and a Beatrush vented underpanel has been employed.

If this don't give me mis-fire free operation, and better coil life, I give up! LOL.

First test will be at NCM in just a few weeks!

See you there

[Jrwilliams]

I thought E85 engines run cooler?

[prandelia]

Originally Posted by Jrwilliams

I thought E85 engines run cooler?

I think it's more of a case of heat soak with the coils being sandwiched between the block and the frame rails, after you stop the car. I def. wasn't allowing for airflow through there after a race/session, which certainly didn't help coils which were probably already on the edge of their ability to keep up with the demand based on my power/tune. I plan to have a fan/generator running to push airflow through the bay after every time I come off track.

If it's still misfiring after these new coils, then it's clearly something else, and I'll start digging into the fueling system and perhaps see if its something internal like a bent valve prior to me buying the car.

After building this car, it's clear the chassis is phenomenal, but it's clear you can't sell a mass produced, inexpensive sports car without cutting some fat. There are a lot of things on this car that are "just good enough". We cracked open an axle this week to rebuild them and pack them with high-temp CV joint grease, and the OE lube looks like water. No clue how it lubricates. No wonder people blow axles all the time.

Only way to find out is get out and run some flyers!

[prandelia]

Needed to do a quick systems check prior to taking it to the track. Also had a newly rebuilt/upgraded tranny, along with a lower 6th gear ratio installed, so wanted to see how that felt.

There are some deserted backroads where I store my trailer, so was able to do a few hard acceleration runs. I didn't have any active (flashing CEL), or stored (CEL staying on) misfires on acceleration runs, and I ran the car to almost the top of 6th gear to 130mph. In the past, the car would misfire on acceleration around the top of 4th, and in 5th or 6th gear. Sometimes you could feel it, other times you couldn't, but the CEL was still flashing, and would stay on after. The good news is that I didn't see any on these acceleration runs, but won't claim victory until a full weekend on-track test is completed without misfires. Car felt super strong though.

One thing I did see though, atleast I think I did, as it happened so fast, was a the CEL flash quickly just a couple times on a massive deceleration/braking phase after a run to 125mph. I was bedding in some rear rotors so gave it a good hard stop and thought I saw the CEL flash.

I'm wondering if this could be due to the massive forces on the crank, and it's sensor readings due to deceleration? I have a Fluidampr harmonic damper, and it's a viscous type, so it's forces may change a bit with crank speed I would imagine. I'm guessing that it's possible and not an ignition related CEL/misfire, since it's in deceleration. I know Subie motors are sensitive to crank position, so I think it might be related to harmonic damper/flywheel. Any thoughts?

My plan is that if I have any non-ignition type misfires or flashing CEL's at the track, then I'll swap the OE harmonic damper back in and see if it makes any difference.

[CSG Mike]

@prandelia do you have a log?

[prandelia]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

@prandelia do you have a log?

I didn't have my Ecutek Bluetooth interface on me to plug-in, so I don't have any stored files on it, unless there are some still stored in the ECU that could be downloaded.

I guess I could just go run the test again with data, since it will be another 3 weeks before I'm on track.

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by prandelia

I just confirmed I'm one of the unlucky early 2015 models with the "old" wiring harness from '13-14. I thought all 2015 models got the new ignition parts, not so much....so first things first, I need to swap that entire harness and coil setup for the new one, then see how things fare.

Hi, how were you able to confirm this? I am looking to buy a used engine and just wanted to make sure of the year model that I am getting and I figure that the coilpacks and wiring was a good inicator that the engine is a 2015/2016.

[Takumi788]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

Hi, how were you able to confirm this?

2013-2014 coils have a flat 3 prong electrical connector. mid-2014+ have a triangular 3 prong connector.

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

2013-2014 coils have a flat 3 prong electrical connector. mid-2014+ have a triangular 3 prong connector.

Thanks Takumi!

[Chriswongbrz]

@prandelia Any updates?

[Goingnowherefast]

Another data-point here, I too am struggling with on-track only misfires at the top of 4th. 2017 BRZ w/ ~48K miles, FBO E85.

Really hoping to hear if the coilpacks solves the issue.

Also, looks like Delicious Tuning has a set as well: https://www.delicioustuning.com/node/959

[jflogerzi]

I wonder who the oem is for DT.

Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Goingnowherefast

Another data-point here, I too am struggling with on-track only misfires at the top of 4th. 2017 BRZ w/ ~48K miles, FBO E85.

Really hoping to hear if the coilpacks solves the issue.

Also, looks like Delicious Tuning has a set as well: https://www.delicioustuning.com/node/959

Did you ever solve this. I picked up a couple of used coils as I got the P3051 this past weekend at the very top of 4th bouncing a bit off rev limiter. CEL only.

[Goingnowherefast]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Did you ever solve this. I picked up a couple of used coils as I got the P3051 this past weekend at the very top of 4th bouncing a bit off rev limiter. CEL only.

Honestly, no I never have. To be honest, I think the fix would be a set of coilpacks like this: https://www.delicioustuning.com/node/959

In my head, coilpacks getting overheated is the issue. Having a ceramic coated or wrapped header may help this issue. (I'm still searching for a JDL 4-2-1). If i have more issues this year, I'm just gonna get those coilpacks and then report back!