034 EFI, controlling ignition with Haltech IG5?

[Ameer Antar]

I have heard that Audi ignitions are some of the best, and most OE systems
can produce enough spark energy for more than double the stock power.
However, I've heard from listers and others, timing is very critical, and in
most cases that go above and beyond mild upgrades, the pre dual-sensor
sensor systems aren't good enough. What do you say about this argument? Is
it really dual vs. single, or is it a better system? I have seen most
systems, even race types [such as Electromotive], use only one sensor.

Would you recommend switching to an ECU w/o knock sensing at all? What about
on the higher compression engines, like the KH or modified MC? How much
power do you think may be gained by pushing the timing past the norm for a
turbo and letting a knock sensor retard to a safe level? What do you think
the real purpose of the knock system was designed to be?

About ignition only ECU's, the J&S seems to be the most advanced in terms of
knock control. It's compat. w/ 5-cylinders and can use various input
sensors, such as MAP, crank, or dist., etc.Also this brings you to Bosch's
modern day level w/ individual cylinder knock sensing. Here's the link:
http://www.safeguard.20m.com/index.html

-ameer

----- Original Message -----
> Message: 3
> From: JShadzi at aol.com
> Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 16:46:13 EST
> Subject: Re: 034 EFI, controlling ignition with Haltech IG5?
> To: <mswanson at mswanson.com>, <auditude at neta.com>, <quattro at audifans.com>
>
> I have dealt with this unit quite extensively, and even conisdered it
occas=
> ionally, here is the deal:
>
> -It allows full programmability of the ignition side only, allowing boost
a=
> nd RPM advance and retard.
> -it is, to this point, DOS based, and thus not very user friendly
> -It does NOT house knock sensing capability, you would forfiet that.
>
> The thing is, it is not necessary, or necessarily any better than the
NG/NF=
>  system, which is much cheaper, and about the same amount of work.
>
> Ken, you seem very concerned about the ignition side of things, let me put
=
> it this way...unless you are planning on exceeding 300hp, I know from
thous=
> ands of hours of personal experience that any of the stock Audi ignition
sy=
> stems will be sufficient.  I am also banking on the fact that they will be
=
> fine to 400hp and beyond also.  If you think that the igniton system will
b=
> e a big problem, or that you need to spend $400+ - I want to let you know
y=
> ou don't.  Even the stock 4kq ignition system will get you into the high
20=
> 0 range without knock sensing.
>
> You can always upgrade the ignition in the future, *if its needed*, but I
w=
> ant to assure you it's not.
>
> I like to build projects and upgrades on a "as needed" level, assuming it
d=
> oes not undermine or create more work for future projects.  I want  to
enco=
> urage you to utilize a very excellent, and affordable stock ingition
system=
>  before moving forward with something unnecessary.
>
> HTH,
> Javad
> 80tq.com
>