Must read Ignitech TCIP 4, Ca-Cycleworks exact-fit coils, Spark plug info

[koko64]

Oops, let me rephrase that, j v.
Incompatible coils can cause a melt down of coils and/or ignition components ala Chris Kelley's experience on his tech site. I have seen it on a few bikes when the incorrect coils were fitted.

greenmonster, sounds like we are in the clear.

By my reckoning there would be an original plug that would be non resistor with resisitor plug caps/leads or a retrofit resistor plug that is now the standard OEM (Champion RA6HC).

[Düb Lüv]

Well the ignitech better be good. I bought chris's last one and bought both harnesses incase I want to upgrade to 1000/1100 in the future :-)

[junior varsity]

Hmm.  I have plenty of time to wait before needing something for the project monster 900, so I may wait to see if they reappear for sale by US vendor, or weigh alternatives if needing to order abroad anyhow.

Wonder if Rick's Motorsport Electrics would be interested in making such a product.

[Langanobob]

Hmm.  I have plenty of time to wait before needing something for the project monster 900, so I may wait to see if they reappear for sale by US vendor, or weigh alternatives if needing to order abroad anyhow.

I think Norm on TOB was selling them at one time, maybe it was just informally and I don't know if he ever set up a dealership, or whether he still has it if he did.   

Bob

[koko64]

Well the ignitech better be good. I bought chris's last one and bought both harnesses incase I want to upgrade to 1000/1100 in the future :-)

The Igniteck is versatile.

As your engine mods grow the ignition can be tuned without the compromises of retarding the pickups with the 'set in stone' Kokusan map. Custom advance curves can be made to fit different engine configurations.
The advance curve can be adjusted for easy starting and smooth low speed operation. I had underestimated how much the Kokusan's rudimentary advance curve (and I use the word 'curve' loosely) contributes to rough and snatchy low rev operation. Engine response also has more snap in roll ons.
One can chase easy horsepower by fine tuning when on a dyno or allowing for fuel availability or a change in compression.
Actually having a rev limiter now is great and the unit will interface with a shift light which I have and use regularly.
Another thing I really like is the laptop monitoring of the operation of the pickups, revs, rate of advance, etc in real time.
I have not really explored the potential of the system, but I intend to.

As you can tell, I'm a big fan of the unit.
As long as the thing don't go 'pop'.

[Düb Lüv]

sorry for the thread jack, but has anybody had this problem before with the Ignitech?

i had to get a serial to usb adpator. when i have everything hooked up with the ignition on i cannot get the TCIP to communicate with the computer.

a prompt will say
"com opening error"

then software will open stating the PC is not connected.


i checked the wiring and the TCIP is getting power. i think i downloaded every driver, uninstalled and reinstalled all the software new and older versions. my only thoughts is to get a more generic serial to usb adaptor(i'm on my second one that has a mini processor inline) or try a different computer. hopefully i can find one with a 9 pin serial port.



*PROBLEM SOLVED*

the reason why i was getting the "COM OPENING ERROR" was i didn't sync the com port for the adapter to the TCIP4 tuning software.

when having the software open click on the COM file at the top left.

under Com there will be Com 1- Com 30 and Com Auto(which is a com scan).

i selected Com Auto and found the i was running on Com 3, then selected Com 3. you could probably just keep it on Auto if you wanted.


*SOFTWARE SUPPORT HEADSUP*
after i got the Com problem fixed, i was connected to the computer. but i was getting a software incompatible message saying the PC and Ignition module weren't running the same software.

i remember seeing on my module that there's a sticker reading "2CH v80 Ducati Kokusan". i was using the software that chris included which i guess was an older incompatible version. i remember seeing a version of TCIP software with v80 at the end. after tracking it down on the Ignitech website hidden under the TCIP4 module product information, downloaded the correct one and now my system i fully functional.

[koko64]

 
Went through the same thing. Downloaded the V80 software and all was cool.

[Düb Lüv]

This is for the original post.

I running 3ohm dyna coils with the tcip4 and all seems well.

[krista]

Wow, what a thread this has become.

Does anyone know the difference between the above plugs and say a D8EA or DR8EA?

(above plugs being the DCPR8EA)  Yes, the D8EA and DR8EA without the projected tip usually won't get closed by high compression pistons hitting them.

What about original Champions, should be resistors, do they work w this setup?

I was told by a Ducati mechanic early on to never use Champion plugs as their threads are "cut" and tend to screw up the heads. They said to always use NGK as they have rolled threads. I don't have access to Cham-peen and have been loving NGK for a couple decades already...

Incompatible coils can cause a melt down of coils and/or ignition components ala Chris Kelley's experience on his tech site. I have seen it on a few bikes when the incorrect coils were fitted.

If the primary on the coils is too low resistance, the coils will melt out the igniters. Early on, my favorite setup was to run nology coils. But you had to have the early ignition modules with the midnight blue epoxy in them. The later all black epoxy modules didn't suffer the nology's at all and would melt out. I eventually stopped talking about it because no matter how big I wrote "We sell dyna coils because they are compatible with all Ducatis" people would call and ask if it worked on their bike and were worried about buying them. 

Interesting, I would never use anything but R plugs on modern bikes.  I've just assumed it was necessary for the EFI system.

I'd never use resistor plugs on bikes. Why give away 1~3hp to heat? Every Ducati I've owned has gotten D8EA plugs... `92 900ss, `96 916, mh900e, 104hp `97 M966, `05 S2R800. A few others I didn't really ride long enough to service, so I didn't list them. Hitting the way back machine, my favorite were the DP8EVX-9. That "felt" the best compared to any plug I tested in my 900ss, even the iridiums.

Like I tell people that call seeking wisdom: "Do what lets you sleep at night".

In the case of Ignitech, it would have been fantastic if they would have treated us as well as even the average guy off the internet buying one of their modules. We've been selling these for years and I find it peculiar that all of a sudden, non resistor plugs are giving fits. And it coincides with a number of out-of-box failures...  Which coincided with a cold shoulder from the Czech republic. 

[junior varsity]

Bummer man. First off Chris, Thanks for your contribution - in my opinion it is invaluable and you've not once led me astray - if anything you've helped right the wrongs of others when I had been led astray and needed a compass reading or map back to the "right side of things."  With that said, do you think you will be investigating alternative modules for sales, such as the silent hektik, Jako-Motorsport, AS Uotani, or an all-new Chris Kelley designed Exact-Fit adjustable ignition device?

[ducatiz]

I'd never use resistor plugs on bikes. Why give away 1~3hp to heat? Every Ducati I've owned has gotten D8EA plugs... `92 900ss, `96 916, mh900e, 104hp `97 M966, `05 S2R800. A few others I didn't really ride long enough to service, so I didn't list them. Hitting the way back machine, my favorite were the DP8EVX-9. That "felt" the best compared to any plug I tested in my 900ss, even the iridiums.

1 hp is equivalent to about 40 BTU/minute.  I'd have to see for myself that much additional heat shedding.

That being said, given the issues with electronics on bikes, its either give up 1-3 hp as you say, or carry additional weight for shielding?

I dunno.  The spec was for R plugs, I used R plugs..  Drop the weight of the bike, skip a few desserts, tune the engine.  1-3 loss at the plug might not seem that much...  :-)

[koko64]

Hey Chris
How about an Exact Fit/Kelley adjustable ignition system?
I'd buy it.

[avizpls]

Will have a few small updates soon regarding functionality between tcip4 and the ca cycle red coils. I got my damaged ign's repaired and they were returned today. So now having a spare, I will try and run the red coils. I'd have them swapped out by now, but I have too full of a gas tank to lift it up. Once i ride some of that gas away I'll out in the red coils and see if she holds together for a full day at the track....so I guess that will be sept 3rd.

[TAftonomos]

I'm looking for a timing solution for my 900ss rebuild...

How is the ignitech holding up?

[junior varsity]

one of mine crapped out, got a replacement from ca-cycleworks, the new one still works but i've been off the bike mostly this year.      I'd like to try silent hektik or as uotani next time.