I see CHRfab makes intake manifolds forth the Northstar to mount a carb, My 383 sbc runs EZEFI throttle body fuel injection which is self learning. If I mounted this on a Northstar how could I control the ignition? If I used a manual trans I would need nothing for it. Could the stock computer control ignition only and ignore the fuel injection portion? I ask this as I already have the EZ EFI and it works well. When I read the posts regarding the tuning of the various Northstar computers I am overwhelmed and it seems no one has all the answers.
Any aftermarket ECM capable of controlling timing via an electronic distributor should be able to work with the coil pack on the '93-'99 Northstar engines.
Correct. The EZ EFI does not control ignition. I already have the system and it is a $2500 investment. It works well, hence my question. I was hoping to use a later model Northstar with low enough mileage so that I do not have to rebuild. MSD offers distributorless ignition systems for 24 and 58 tooth trigger wheels. Could this not be used with the Northstar coil pack. If I use a manual transmission is that not all I need?
EXPECT that for a '04 or older Northstar engine to be a long term runner, you'll need to pull the heads and timesert the head bolt threads. Otherwise it's a ticking time bomb.
The Northstar trigger wheel is unique, as is the dual crank sensor configuration. *ANY* aftermarket ignition or EFI computer that can handle a distributor *should* be able to operate the '93-'99 Northstar coil pack.
Are you going to take the EZ EFI off your 383?
If you go with an '05 or later engine, it should already have the 58x wheel (and coil per cylinder ignition). However, you'll need to verify that you can run both your ignition and EZ EFI from the one crank sensor (IE, call the systems manufacturers and tell them what you want to do).
The '00 - '04 engines are orphan children for engine management. Big Stuff 3 can run them, but I don't know about much else.
Yes, I want to use the EFI from the 383. Because it is a throttle body system it does not use a crank sensor. I believe it uses rpm and throttle position primarily. It is also self learning and works very well. I think I will talk to MSD and CHRfab and see what they say. I was looking at a later engine from a Northstar.
Do later models have variable valve timing or anything else the computer is needed to control?
Originally posted by Will: The '00 - '04 engines are orphan children for engine management. Big Stuff 3 can run them, but I don't know about much else.
My buddy is running a '01 on a megasquirt in his Esprit, although not with the original northstar sensors. We just bolted a Ford reluctor ring to the front of the damper and are using the Ford EDIS-8 with the megasquirt.
[This message has been edited by Zac88GT (edited 02-06-2014).]
I have been doing a lot of reading tonight. It seems there are several ways to adapt a stand alone DIS to handle the ignition and my throttle body injection to a Northstar with a manual trans.
Yes, I want to use the EFI from the 383. Because it is a throttle body system it does not use a crank sensor. I believe it uses rpm and throttle position primarily. It is also self learning and works very well. I think I will talk to MSD and CHRfab and see what they say. I was looking at a later engine from a Northstar.
Do later models have variable valve timing or anything else the computer is needed to control?
Does it just get hooked up to the tach signal from the coil? Most OE distributor EFI systems take trigger pulses from the distributor's pickup coil.
The RWD Northstars had variable valve timing. The FWD ones did not.
quote
Originally posted by garage monster:
I have been doing a lot of reading tonight. It seems there are several ways to adapt a stand alone DIS to handle the ignition and my throttle body injection to a Northstar with a manual trans.
There are a lot of ways people think it can be done... The number of ways it's been successfully done is smaller.
My buddy is running a '01 on a megasquirt in his Esprit, although not with the original northstar sensors. We just bolted a Ford reluctor ring to the front of the damper and are using the Ford EDIS-8 with the megasquirt.
