1200 ignition upgrade to C5 ideas

[dan filipi]

I'm working the options on this 84 1200 engine for driving the C5 ignition.

84 model is a simple upgrade because the 1100 C5 kit is a bolt on deal using an 1100 rear ignition housing.
I'm sure Paul at C5ignitions could easily adapt the C5 module to fit the stock 84 rear housing as well but I'm looking at options for the newer 1200's which does not use the rear housing, ignition pickups are on the front behind the belt covers at the crankshaft. Coming up with a workable option would mean 1985 to 1987 1200's could run a C5.
The crankshaft mount present's a lot of problems in design because of it's limited space so I'm kicking around other possibly simpler ideas though I think Paul has finished the 1500 kit which does drive off the crankshaft front behind the cover so maybe he will comment also.

1 is to drive it from the left front camshaft center bolt.
This would involve an extension off the center bolt and modding the belt cover front face to hold an ignition housing.
There are issues to overcome like protecting the housing and module from rain and impact but neither are game stoppers.

2nd idea is to drive it from the left cam with a custom made cover to mount to the head similar to the 1000.
Because the fuel injected 86 uses the right cam for a sensor, it is not an option but the same housing used on the right head bolts on to the left head. Availability of this special housing may be very limited.
The left cam however is not threaded so it would need to be drilled and tapped to accept a drive extension.
Not too difficult but it would involve pulling the cam and machinist skills and equipment to drill and tap true so it spins straight and balanced.
The left rear head mount is appealing because it is well protected.

Both of these options are appealing because either one could be done on all 1200 models without pulling the engine.

Throw out your thoughts on this.
I'm ready to move forward with one of these options but I'm being patient and giving this plenty of time to consider every aspect of faults or drawbacks before cutting into anything and possibly you guys might have other options I haven't thought of.

 

[slabghost]

I think it'd be easiest to provide / get drilled and tapped crank bolts. Just screw in a drive stud to operate the C5. Might not even need threaded. Pressed in stud would work too.

 

[Steve83]

Is there room/clearance for a C5 between the center timing covers and the radiator on a 1200? I only have an engine, so I can't check it out.

I really like the idea of rear head mounts also, and the good folks at C5 should be able to machine a simple housing for this area. Unless yours is fuel injected, the housing could be mounted on either side. I'm glad Honda made the front and rear mounting areas the same on 1200 heads.

The 1200 timing belt covers are flat at the center of the cam sprockets, so mounting a 1000 or an 1100 ignition housing would be very easy. The main drawback would be their exposure to the elements, but with secure mounting and good sealing, this shouldn't be an issue.

The '84 1200 is the only year with the rear-mounted pulsers, and the C5 will be a drop-in. Accessibility is the main issue, and with all the carb mods going on now, experimenting with timing curves would be a great advantage. Maybe a circuit board with the USB programming cable permanently attached could be developed for the 1100/'84 1200...Paul?!?!

Lastly, the '85 and later 1200 uses an 8-toothed wheel between the timing belts to trigger the pulse generators. Perhaps this wheel could be replaced by a slotted optical wheel, and the laser pickup mounted in place of one of the pulsers. This would require a re-design of the circuit board...Paul?!?!

 

[Omega Man]

The one thing I think I could offer is this. I remember a video of a C5 unit in a car that they had a garden hose pouring on it while running without affecting the unit at all. Right? So weather wouldn't affect a front mount on the belt covers.

~O~

 

[Steve83]

I was thinking more of corrosion, but that's cool that it keeps running with that much water on it. Centrifugal force throws the water off the wheel, I suppose...

 

[joedrum]

hmmmmm .....I would be hard press not to just stick the c5 in a 84 1200 model ...just like any rear iggy 1100 ... now other years its a different story with no rear iggy