distributor replacement

[pointaudio]

so I have another question before I make a purchase...
Now I know many on here are serious diehard OEM replacement peeps and that is all fine and dandy...but I'm always interested in what else is out there. Especially something that can upgrade a rather old system design.


AEM engine position module


AEM Engine Position Module (EPM) for Honda / Acura B-Series , D-Series, H-Series, F-Series Engines. This EPM replaces the factory distributor, and takes over full engine position locating duties using dual zero-speed optical sensors, offering more accuracy and precision than can be had with factory parts. These zero speed optical sensors offer immediate signal generation regardless of engine speed. This EPM can be used with any aftermarket engine management system that recognizes a 24&1 pattern for crank and cam signals and can be applied to any half-engine speed device like a cam or distributor drive.

This EPM is a complete bolt on replacement for the factory distributor.

What comes in the box:

Engine Position Module
Connector and Pins to wire into existing harness.

[deevergote]

You would need to run a distributorless ignition system to use that thing. All this does is provide a position sensor.

Is it good? Sure. But the factory ignition system is good for over 500hp... so such an upgrade would be overkill on a street car. The primary functions of such an upgrade would be to have something different to show off, and something new to learn (engine management systems can control spark more directly with a distributorless system...)

[RustyBucket]

A distributorless ignition means there should be less maintenance worry since you don't have a distributor cap and rotor to worry about replacing. You could buy a lot of caps and rotors for the price of switching over to distributorless, unless you can put together something cheaply with junkyard parts.

If you install a distributorless ignition system and incorporate a knock sensor, you could run more aggressive timing and have it auto-adjust to avoid knocking, which would give you ideal timing under all driving conditions. There again, the costs more than likely outweight the benefits.

I have toyed with the idea myself, but I figure it's probably not worth the effort.

[pointaudio]

Yeah. I'm just weighing in all options while there are things I can do at the house before having to have my mechanic do it. Looks like I will be polishing my dizzy for something to do.

[deevergote]

There are pre-made systems (that aren't cheap) that should be pretty easy to set up. I haven't looked, but I'm quite sure AEM has such a thing (and paired with their EMS, it'd be quite good.)

There are many cars that use distributorless ignition systems... coil on plug systems, or coil packs that run a bank of spark plugs at once (I believe my old 02 GTP had 2 coil packs, each firing 3 spark plugs.... my Fit has coil on plug, I believe. Each plug has its own coil pack.) The systems used in those cars could probably be adapted to work with some creativity. A custom-tuned ECU would probably be a necessity, though... so the costs start to add up, as does the need for knowledge (or the additional cost of paying someone with the knowledge.)

There are benefits, for sure... but only if you have a specific need for them.


I don't mean to burst your bubble, though. This is still something new to me, and an interesting thread regardless. It's nice to see someone thinking, and not just asking the same tired questions over and over again!

[pointaudio]

I'm learning