034 EFI, controlling ignition with Haltech IG5?

[Gerard]

> confusing.. the PDF indicates that direct fire is available for 1-4, 6, and 8
> cylinder engines only?  And still no mention of knock sensing.....

Haltech are odd on this matter. Their fully featured engine controllers
indicate knock sensing inputs, but when speaking to them they say they
don't have it. (Similar with Autronic, I think, but Autronic outdo
Haltech on almost every score.) Some Haltechs have a live ignition trim
into which you could always connect a small device that feeds a voltage
signal. That device can hook up to your knock sensor and copy the
factory ECU knock sensing sequence. I looked at this, it'd probably
work.

Folks should keep an eye on eBay. I've seen a few IG5 units selling for
low prices. They're used, but apparently all work.

Also, Haltech mentioned to me that their units can run a 5-cylinder
engine, but won't do sequential injection and/or direct coil ignition
(needs distributor). So I threw out the dream of having a Haltech. Also
because everyone I've spoken to says they're crap to tune.

Get a LinkPlus if you want knock control, sequential fuel injection and
coil-per-plug ignition. That's the route I'm saving up for. Look at
about $800 for the thing, excluding injectors and things like that.
According to Link the system can take up to 2 knock sensors. Also has 8
injector drivers and 8 ignition drivers, as opposed to the other systems
that usually have 4 drivers for each (or injection only) because they
run wasted spark and fire 2 injectors at a time. Link also indicate an
auto-tune facility a bit similar to Autronic.

DTA also offer a system, but when I last spoke to them I was told they
are busy with the 10-cylinder capable system which will support direct
ignition and sequential fueling for the 5-cylinder, but no knock
sensing. It is used by some DTM race teams, notably the Opel teams. DTA
only have a 8-cylinder setup at the moment, which is again the 4 driver
setup. DTA do, however, also offer a launch control facility for those
struggling with launching a front-wheel drive from the line. I guess
quattro guys don't need to apply. :)

You could always get a Motec, but like I've said before to some people,
I'd have to sell the car to afford it. :) Does everything though. Mapped
water injection, mapped NOS injection, per-cylinder ignition and fuel
trims, run different high and low impedance injectors (for the time when
you don't have a direct replacement injector), adjusts fueling/timing
according to exhaust temps per cylinder, turbo anti-lag (otherwise known
as "where'd the manifold go?"). Basically the works, but at a premium.

As I'm not an expert at this, having received all my information on
these things from masters like Javad and Jorgen and Marc and others who
I swear know too much about the 5-cylinder motors than can be considered
healthy. :) I understand though that the knock sensor should just be
used during the initial tuning to find the very limit and then cutting a
little back from there and then using the knock sensor only for those
times when it is really needed (ie. if something does go wrong like junk
fuel or excessively hot intake air).

Anyway, at the moment I'm looking at the LinkPlus as an option for the
system I eventually want. With my currency the way it is, it is becoming
a difficult task to save the cash for any of these systems. :P I just
thought I'd mention it as an option for those interested, and also to
see if anyone has anything bad to say about it as I've only started
paying attention to it recently.

Hope I didn't waste bandwidth with this message, but it did make me look
busy here at my desk. If only they knew what I was reading...

G.