Wiring DTA into MSD

Wiring best practices and loom building technique
Boardpaul
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:50 am
ECU Model: S40 Pro
Firmware Version: 60

Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by Boardpaul »

Morning guys,

I want to keep my MSD inline for the back up and additional charge for the spark.
Im struggling to find a wiring diagram that shows the best way to do this.
Im going to be running a DTA S40 and an MSD Digital 6 from a crank fired ignition.

All help appreciated.

Thanks

Paul
stevieturbo
Posts: 3577
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:08 pm
ECU Model: No ECU
Location: Norn Iron

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by stevieturbo »

Just treat the MSD as if it were a normal inductive coil.

Exactly what is your setup ?
Boardpaul
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:50 am
ECU Model: S40 Pro
Firmware Version: 60

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by Boardpaul »

Stevie,

Im going to be running an S40 on a 2276 vw beetle engine running fuel injection and nitrous.
This is my first ever go at anything like this and I have an aful lot to learn.

Coil will be the ford edis type.
stevieturbo
Posts: 3577
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:08 pm
ECU Model: No ECU
Location: Norn Iron

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by stevieturbo »

Everything I can see in the instructions suggests the MSD unit you are listing is intended for single coil/dizzy applications only

ie in no way would it be compatible with an EDIS coil pack.

And not even sure DTA will control an EDIS coilpack either ?

As always, read the manual.

You will either need a suitable 4 tower coil or 4 individual coils ( ideally with internal amplifiers like an LS1 style coil ) to work with the ECU.

There should be little need for MSD or anything like that if you choose the right coils.

If you wish to retain the MSD unit then you will need a suitable single coil and distributor.
Alex DTA
Posts: 1622
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 1:03 pm
ECU Model: S40 Pro
Distributor: DTA
Firmware Version: 79

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by Alex DTA »

If you're using this EDIS coil pack, then the S40 can drive it directly:
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance- ... 5/10002/-1

I have on on my Golf. They are the best wasted spark coil pack on the market.

If so, you can probably leave off the MSD, it's just adding complexity. The S40 can cater for NOS timing retard.
What else would you need the MSD for?
Boardpaul
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:50 am
ECU Model: S40 Pro
Firmware Version: 60

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by Boardpaul »

Alex,

That is the coil that im using. That solves one question then.
I was wanting to have the MSD as a backup as well as the nitrous retard. I was also told, maybe incorrectly, that I would get a better spark running through the MSD?
stevieturbo
Posts: 3577
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:08 pm
ECU Model: No ECU
Location: Norn Iron

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by stevieturbo »

Better than what though ?

All modern coils or coil packs are very powerful.

All that old stuff like MSD are pretty defunct these days
Alex DTA
Posts: 1622
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 1:03 pm
ECU Model: S40 Pro
Distributor: DTA
Firmware Version: 79

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by Alex DTA »

That coil will be fine unless you are planning very large amounts of nitrous.

Mine's been fine up to (an accidental) 1.6 bar of boost. The ECU overboost cut in before the coil gave up.

You can retard in the ECU, and have one less component to fail, and one less thing to set up.
How are you planning on triggering the NOS?
Boardpaul
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:50 am
ECU Model: S40 Pro
Firmware Version: 60

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by Boardpaul »

Thanks guys, I think I will take the MSD out then.

Im planning on using a full throttle switch. I was then going to use the Rev window in DTA and also a nitrous controller to help look after my gearbox.
Boardpaul
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:50 am
ECU Model: S40 Pro
Firmware Version: 60

Re: Wiring DTA into MSD

Post by Boardpaul »

Sorry to drag this back up, I've removed the MSD and was going to use launch control section to set up 2 step. I have just been looking into it and wonder if it will do what I want it to.
I dont want launch control, just 2-step control to limit the revs on the startline.
Can I just set it to run off elapsed time and set this figure low? Therefore when I release the staging brake it very quickly allows the revs to increase?
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