Bradenton Test Session:

Top Fuel Test. MSD 8971 Digital Multi Retard and 7570 Graphical LCD Programmer.

Testing was conducted on the Peter Lehman / Clay Millican 104 Octane Boost Top Fuel dragster. The test was coordinated through Crew Chief Mike Kloeber and Lance Larson at the Desoto Motorsports Park in Bradenton, FL December 19, 2003

The Install

The installation was done Thursday night December 18, 2003 by Clay Millican and Lance Larson.

The MSD 8971 was mounted on the Target in place of the old system behind the driver's compartment. The actual wiring was quite simple as both "Gray" cables from the old system were reused as well as the Power leads. Only 4 additional wires were required:

2 wires = Blue and Red for a "Reset" switch as momentary "ON" providing + 12 for a Reset function. I believe this was connected to a clutch via an air switch.

2 wires = White/Blue and Red for a WOT switch; this switch must remain "Closed" during the run. If this switch "Opens" during the run it can enable the "Pedal" feature. This feature can be programmed to Retard Timing and Ramp Timing back in by time as desired.

During the installation Mike asked us: (Steve Masters, Doug Waites and I, Joe Pando) if there was a way to disable the "Pedal" feature for a certain amount of time. We were lucky to have Steve Masters, Chief Digital Engineer and Doug Waits, Software Engineer to rewrite the code and add the features Mike Kloeber wanted. We call it a "Pedal Inhibit". Now one can "Inhibit" the pedal feature by time, as in Mike's case. He wants his driver to be able to pedal his car within the first couple seconds of the run. After that Mike would like to have control of these actions as the pedal feature.

Once the installation was complete we tested the "Reset" and "WOT" switches. This can be done by observing the LEDs mounted on the 8971 Digital Multi Retard control box. If the Reset switch is engaged both Red LEDs should light. This informs us that the unit is "Ready" and now waiting for the WOT switch to start the timing map. Once the WOT switch is activated the Green LEDs will blink. This will start the Timing Maps as preprogrammed.

The Program

In our test session Mike Kloeber programmed his known existing timing profile from his old retard unit which used twin Six Shooters.

The Timing Map is programmed via the 7570 Graphical LCD Touch Screen. The touch screen can be preprogrammed with up to 6 different timing maps. Each timing map can have from 30 points to as few as 2 points.

The Real Test

The next morning Friday Dec 19, 2003 Mike Kloeber's crew was ready to "start up" their Top Fuel Dragster. Several functions were tested during the first "start up". "Timing, Reset Functions, WOT and Timing Map" were among the usual routine that this World Championship team does during every engine start up. The first "start up" on alcohol was successful. Everything was to Mike's liking. Next would come the Nitro. Before the Nitro start up the crew told us all the functions were correct. That "start up" was also successful.

The car made a successful pass running a 4.81 @ 239 MPH, despite a loose fuel line and a dropped cylinder. There was so much shouting and fist pumping you would have thought they had won the world championship again.

After gathering the car and returning to the pits, Mike explained the control box did everything it was asked to do. This was based on the RacePak computer printout. As a matter of fact Mike said the data never looked better.

Here are several key observations Mike Kloeber and Lance Larson made:

1. A smoother idle.
2. Unusually smoother timing.
   Mike said the engine showed very little timing scatter. Much smoother than they normally experienced.
3. Very smooth burn out.
4. Smooth run.
   The launch in particular was not as shaky.

Most of the above is largely due the use of a 40 MHz digital microprocessor, and its ability to handle multi-functions rapidly with the highest accuracy.

Another key feature is the unit's ability to interpolate between points. Meaning that between 0º to 30º the unit will change timing gradually in 1/10th degree steps which make for smoother transitions. Rather than our current analog design, 0º to 30º is just that 0º to 30º with nothing in-between, resulting in instant changes. Not smooth at all.

Note, due to the way timing is handled in this control box there will be a 4º offset installing this product resulting in a 4º retard. Readjusting the timing will be required by advancing the pickups by 4 more degrees. Example if normal timing was 50 º installing the will require 54º and the timing light will read 50º

We at MSD would like to extend our thanks to Peter Lehaman, Clay Millican, Mike Kloeber, Lance Larson and the crew for having confidence to test our newest products. It is these types of tests that keep us at the cutting edge of the ignition industry.

Again hats off to the Peter Lehman Racing Team.

Big Brother

TCD Patented Traction Control Detector.

On board TCD. Patent Pending Traction Control Detector. This product is loaded with a NEW TCD circuit capable of detecting an ignition related Traction Control system. If the TDC detects such a system it will flash a Fault code via the RED LEDs flashing a 2 blink pause 2 blink. It will also store vital information that only the Tech Officials will have access to via a special tool that will connect to the box. This tool will also reset the fault codes, MSD will not have access to these tools.

Alcohol

We have had numerous e-mails regarding the acceptance of this product in the Alcohol classes. According to Mr. Ray Alley of NHRA use is still pending and decisions will be made by the New Year.

Availability

Our target is to have at least 150 units on the shelf before we accept the first order, there will be a 2 unit maximum per car. Availability will be determined by the outcome of the next test session. Also, availability will be posted on this site and orders will be based on a first come, first served basis.

Next Big Test

Our next test session will be on the Miller Top Fuel Dragster in the near future, so stay tuned!