Optical Ignition videos

[C5Performance]

I had several requests to show our C5 Performance Ignitions operating. On this thread I will post various videos of the ignitions and vehicles on the dyno. My goal is to use the video for teaching purposes, not to argue the pro/con of the technology. I encourage questions!

Today we fired up a 1976 Moto Guzzi 850T. We just introduced this kit and I was fitting the coil and verifying everything was working.

Notice the red flickering light. This is indicating TDC as the encoder disc rotates.


[video]https://youtu.be/uB2SCE81l8g[/video]

 

[wilcoy02]

way cool

 

[C5Performance]

This is a video of a Honda CB750.
"Westy" as we call him, is a friend of my kids. He crashed his cycle so hard the points lobe shaft was destroyed.
What better time to upgrade ignitions, right? After installing this, his dad commented that the bike "never started that nice".

When installing the kit, you simply rotate the engine so #1 cylinder is at TDC (top dead center). Carefully rotate the encoder until the LED light comes on, then secure the disc with the screw or bolt. Thats all you have to do. After you start it, the LED light is still visible as a flicker. The only moving part is the stainless steel encoder. There are no mechanical advancer or magnets.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNjoTzd5IqE[/video]

 

[C5Performance]

I know, it's a cage (car). But at least it is owned by our local Honda dealer.
This is a 1975? Corvette with a 350 cubic inch engine. Mild cam, slightly richer jets, and side pipes (the real ones).

We ran the stock HEI ignition, and continued to advance the timing until power started to go down, the we installed our prototype ignition.
With no adjustments, running a Honda CB750 ignition curve, which is almost identical to what Chevy used, we gained 18 horsepower at the rear wheel. That was a 20% increase in rear wheel hp.

The car was close to stock, which is why it made for a good test car. The choke does not work, and so in cold weather it still is difficult to start, but the engine was running very rich before the installation. One thing a multiple spark ignition really improves is the efficiency.

This car had an amazing transformation. On stock runs it ran so rich the black smoke was sneaking past the exhaust fans and filling the shop. It was a freezing cold day outside and we had to run the car with the shop doors cracked open.

Notice the front of the car lifts as we made the run. With the stock ignition that does not happen. Sorry i don't have video of the encoder on this, we kept the cover on because there was debris blowing around in the engine bay and i wanted to keep it protected.

This video is hosted on my Contour site, so i have a link to follow:


https://contour.com/videos/watch/c5-perf ... e-dyno-run

 

[C5Performance]

Some of you might remember a post I made a few weeks ago. We had a GL1000 that wasn't running smooth, and the customer claimed #4 cyl was not running correctly. We decided to install the ignition BEFORE we pulled the carbs. This video shows it starting and idling smoothly.

We started with no choke, and this was actually the longest try. Most of the time the bike started with a quick stab of the button. We did notice it still did not run 100% smooth, so we checked manifold temps. Sure enough, the #4 cyl was running about 60-80 degrees cooler.

I want to share this to prove that with carb issues, you can improve starting and running but you CANNOT fix the original problem.
If you pursue ignition upgrades hoping to solve carburetor issues you will be disappointed.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZBHlxLDXKU[/video]

 

[Ansimp]

Great videos and product. Keep those moving pictures coming :good:

 

[KYWinger]

:good: Thanks, Paul!

 

[skiri251]

Well, I need to replace the dead stator so this is a golden opportunity to install C5.
I was impressed by joedrum's remarks. "It's a whole new bike."

I think my '82 GL1100A has okay ignition (and general health of the engine). I have never had starting difficulties other than the drained battery due to the dead stator.

If I install C5, can I expect an improvement in engine performance I can really feel?
Any dyno data on GL available?

 

[joedrum]

you will feel a huge difference I think ...hooch I rode both ways ...theres no doubt in my mind of the huge c5 difference .....I think the difference will hold true for stock 1100s too big time and yes I think they do have dyno stuff they have done at c5 ... beleave me skirri big difference

 

[skiri251]

joedrum » Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:04 pm[/url]":3dqepyw7]
you will feel a huge difference I think ...hooch I rode both ways ...theres no doubt in my mind of the huge c5 difference .....I think the difference will hold true for stock 1100s too big time and yes I think they do have dyno stuff they have done at c5 ... beleave me skirri big difference

Okay, I believe you, Joe!
I will order one.

It's nice to get rid of that dirty vacuum advance unit too!

 

[dan filipi]

Give me tomorrow, I should have mine running on a c5 with a video.

 

[mcgovern61]

dan filipi » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:22 pm[/url]":1nu9bs2s]
Give me tomorrow, I should have mine running on a c5 with a video.

:whip: opcorn: :wave: :fishin:

 

[C5Performance]

Stock GL1000.

Here is a 6 dyno run string I put together for those of you who never watched a motorcycle on the dyno. The transition between runs is almost impossible to see because I was using a tripod. The first 4 runs were stock, the last 2 were after we swapped ignitions.

The cycle lost one horsepower after the C5 was installed but the temperature was 45 degrees warmer, plus pressure and humidity was much worse the day of our "after" runs. The corrected horsepower was 4 hp higher at the rear wheel which is a 7% net gain.

Starting and idle was much improved, and the bike pulls harder on the dyno, although it can be difficult to see on the video (watch for the bike rising onto the roller). Trust me, if you are sitting on the bike or standing next to it, you can hear and feel the difference! Joe knows what i mean.

This bike was in excellent condition but the owner (who bought it NEW from this dealership) wanted to upgrade to avoid problems in the future.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9ZXlPFvVQM[/video]

 

[skiri251]

Nice shiny GL! I wish mine was that shiny.
Anyway, I ordered one yesterday.

 

[mcgovern61]

Paul, it sounds like you are up as high as 7500 RPM? Is that correct? What gear is that in?

 

[dan filipi]

She runs!

Very interesting the feel in the throttle and frame when accelerating.

We had some delays getting the swingarm out so the install took longer than expected and Steve and I are starving. Will post later some pics and video!

 

[joedrum]

yep the classic cali wrenchers have installed the c5 ....great !!!!

 

[Omega Man]

W00h00! Gratz! Can't wait to read all about it.

 

[skiri251]

I put the new stator in today, waiting for C5 to arrive now..

 

[C5Performance]

We ran it to 8,000 rpm during a few runs but mostly 6,500 ish. We ran in 4th i think, to get a one to one gear ratio. The little CB175 we ran in third, cant recall why the dyno guy at that shop wanted it that way.