85lebaront2 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Interesting idea, Bill. I did some reading on that module and it looks like several of the Jags used it. But, one listing had it at 165 Pounds Sterling, which has to be over $200. Perhaps that's one specific to a Jag? Maybe there are cheaper ones? Perhaps that's cheaper than shipping a DS-II module over the pond? It was released in 1981 for MG and Jaguar 6 cyl cars, the complete system required a module and distributor replacement as the OPUS system distributor was not able to be converted (FWIW, OPUS stands for Oscillating Pick Up System). The OPUS system used what amounted to a small transformer with three legs, a set of ferrite rods in a plastic ring provided the fourth leg and the A/C voltage of the transformer would spike, triggering the system to fire the coil. The Constant Energy system uses a magnetic pick up coil that looks like a Chrysler electronic one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacktop Posted January 13, 2019 Author Share Posted January 13, 2019 Being in the UK, Lucas Constant Energy modules are the 4 pin HEI in a heat sink case. As a result using the DS-II distributor as a trigger and a Lucas coil could be an excellent fix. Interesting, I’ll look in to it and see how much they are and there availability 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARIAT 85 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Sounds about right Gary. Being in the uk, neither ds2 modules or hei modules are readily available over here. I source my parts mainly from rock auto and ship them over. I will need to source a ds2 distributor and I already have two hei modules ready. But perhaps for simplicity, I might just buy two ds2 modules and have one as a spare. Many thanks for all your help and info😊 Alan I *personally* would not wire in an HEI module into a DSII ignition for the reasons Gary mentioned. I don't understand why someone would want to wire in a GM part in a Ford vehicle (or vice-versa) for little to no gain. Using a complete GM-style HEI ignition system for the one wire hookup is one thing, but to replace the DSII ignition module for a HEI ignition module makes no sense at all. Absolutely nothing will be gained using an HEI module over the stock DSII module. If you keep your vehicle as close to stock as possible, you don't have a have a good memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 I *personally* would not wire in an HEI module into a DSII ignition for the reasons Gary mentioned. I don't understand why someone would want to wire in a GM part in a Ford vehicle (or vice-versa) for little to no gain. Using a complete GM-style HEI ignition system for the one wire hookup is one thing, but to replace the DSII ignition module for a HEI ignition module makes no sense at all. Absolutely nothing will be gained using an HEI module over the stock DSII module. If you keep your vehicle as close to stock as possible, you don't have a have a good memory. You have to remember, he is in the UK and a Lucas packaged HEI module is probably a lot easier to find over there than a DS-II box. I was trying to give him a, hopefully, easier for him option. If I hadn't been around the Lucas Constant Energy ignition systems from the introduction, I would have no idea what they are. It is like trying to find parts for older UK imports here in the "colonies". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 I *personally* would not wire in an HEI module into a DSII ignition for the reasons Gary mentioned. I don't understand why someone would want to wire in a GM part in a Ford vehicle (or vice-versa) for little to no gain. Using a complete GM-style HEI ignition system for the one wire hookup is one thing, but to replace the DSII ignition module for a HEI ignition module makes no sense at all. Absolutely nothing will be gained using an HEI module over the stock DSII module. If you keep your vehicle as close to stock as possible, you don't have a have a good memory. Rick - You may not have seen Ray/NotEnoughTrucks post in the Lost And Cornfused thread, but Daniel Sterns' article about using the HEI module is very informative. Granted it is a comparison of the HEI to a Chrysler ignition, but I believe the DS-II ignition would have essentially the same waveform as the Chrysler. That's because both use a ballast resistor. The skinny wiring and ballast resistor that both Ford and Chrysler used severely limited the current to the coil. And the current multiplied by the time it flows determines the energy stored in the coil. Since the energy you get out is the energy that you put in, minus that for heating, the spark cannot be as strong with a current-limited approach. While I'm not advocating installing an HEI module in place of a DS-II module because of the limited availability of parts when on the road, there is an advantage to doing so - a hotter spark. And if one were to carry a spare of some kind or make the module easily-swapped then I could see doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacktop Posted January 14, 2019 Author Share Posted January 14, 2019 I *personally* would not wire in an HEI module into a DSII ignition for the reasons Gary mentioned. I don't understand why someone would want to wire in a GM part in a Ford vehicle (or vice-versa) for little to no gain. Using a complete GM-style HEI ignition system for the one wire hookup is one thing, but to replace the DSII ignition module for a HEI ignition module makes no sense at all. Absolutely nothing will be gained using an HEI module over the stock DSII module. If you keep your vehicle as close to stock as possible, you don't have a have a good memory. I'm not replacing a DSll module for a hei module. I have a tfi system that wont work once I remove the ecm after swapping from 2 barrel feedback carb to 4 barrel Holley. My choice is wether to retro fit a dsll system or go for the hei system. Not looking on starting any arguments on this forum, just asking for some info from some knowledgeable people here. I think the lucas system is a none starter as even over here they are very expensive. Cheaper to import the parts from the USA. If I can source a harness, I think I will go for the dsll set up and import the parts. Many thanks for all your help guys, Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 I'm not replacing a DSll module for a hei module. I have a tfi system that wont work once I remove the ecm after swapping from 2 barrel feedback carb to 4 barrel Holley. My choice is wether to retro fit a dsll system or go for the hei system. Not looking on starting any arguments on this forum, just asking for some info from some knowledgeable people here. I think the lucas system is a none starter as even over here they are very expensive. Cheaper to import the parts from the USA. If I can source a harness, I think I will go for the dsll set up and import the parts. Many thanks for all your help guys, Alan I'm not sure they are "arguments", but just debates about the merits. Sort of along the line of what's happening in Parliament at the moment? Anyway, I kinda thought the Lucas module was expensive. So a DS-II module is probably cheaper. But, there are lessor and greater DS-II modules. Originally they had a timing retard feature in them triggered by power in the Start circuit. This helps the engine crank by slightly delaying the spark and effectively retarding the timing. But some modules don't have that. When I got Big Blue the engine was struggling to start because it would kick back frequently. I determined that the module that was on it didn't have that feature, so put one on that does, and the engine now starts much easier. I can't tell you for sure which modules have it, but the consensus has been that most true Motorcraft ones do, as do the NAPA Gold ones. But many of the chain store ones don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacktop Posted January 14, 2019 Author Share Posted January 14, 2019 I'm not sure they are "arguments", but just debates about the merits. Sort of along the line of what's happening in Parliament at the moment? Anyway, I kinda thought the Lucas module was expensive. So a DS-II module is probably cheaper. But, there are lessor and greater DS-II modules. Originally they had a timing retard feature in them triggered by power in the Start circuit. This helps the engine crank by slightly delaying the spark and effectively retarding the timing. But some modules don't have that. When I got Big Blue the engine was struggling to start because it would kick back frequently. I determined that the module that was on it didn't have that feature, so put one on that does, and the engine now starts much easier. I can't tell you for sure which modules have it, but the consensus has been that most true Motorcraft ones do, as do the NAPA Gold ones. But many of the chain store ones don't. All good info Gary👍 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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