ECM And Ignition Module Availability/ replacement

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by A26B

The DIS (Ignition) Module is no small project. I have been working on a replacement for well over a year now and still actively pursuing the project.

The electronics are imbedded in epoxy, making access & repair of electronic components impractical.

Add to that, the program stored in the ROM chip cannot be read & code is unknown.

The "replacement" will be plug & play into the engine harness, although the electrionic connections may be wire leads from the module to the connector instead of the present one-piece mold for all 4 connectors. It will require utilization of the aluminum mounting plate from the original DIS module.

As for the development cost, I expect it to exceed $35,000.00 to produce beta test samples. Development will include actual engine dyno sessions before releasing the beta modules.

I hadn't planned on releasing this info because ultimate unit costs, delivery schedule, etc. are not known and always have hiccups along the way, but I couldn't ignore the concern for the future of our ZR-1's.

Damn Jerry!!! This is Awesome news and Scary news at the same time. Especially the reverse engineering aspect. I will venture to guess the Epoxy that covers these units is the reason the electronics have survived the heat for so long!!!

[A26B]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

Damn Jerry!!! This is Awesome news and Scary news at the same time

The scary part is, I am sure, is your concern for the ultimate cost per module. For most businesses, there are certain economic parameters, ROI, Payout, Rate of Return, and amortization of capital costs. Jerrys Gaskets is not a typical business. I can allow all of the other products to carry those parameters to keep the retail price in line, i.e. a price that will keep the ZR-1 LT5 alive.

I like to think of it as a joint effort...... All of the support that Jerrys Gaskets has received over the last 8 years, has enabled the development and manufacture of many different parts that became extinct.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Billy Mild

I have been dealing with older FI cars for some time now. What I have noticed is usually Cold Solder joints fail or capacitors/transistors die. Anyone who had an older TV back before they were really cheap may remember the TV repair man. They were good at working on small electronics and replacing these critical electrical components.

What we need to find an old DIS and send it off to an ECM rebuilder to see if it can be re-furbed. Such as redoing all the solder joints and replacing any questionable components. I had old TV repair shops do this for me in the past with great success.

Can anyone tell me exactly what the DIS does? Does the ECM not send any type of signal to the coils?

Billy DIS is an Acronym (Distributerless Ignition System) This is the LT5s electronic Distributer that is pancaked on the underside of the Plenum. If it dies. Your done.

[LGAFF]

Jerry the Mercedes Ignition Transformer is repairable and its in the same Epoxy.....

Originally Posted by A26B

The DIS (Ignition) Module is no small project. I have been working on a replacement for well over a year now and still actively pursuing the project.

The electronics are imbedded in epoxy, making access & repair of electronic components impractical.

Add to that, the program stored in the ROM chip cannot be read & code is unknown.

The "replacement" will be plug & play into the engine harness, although the electrionic connections may be wire leads from the module to the connector instead of the present one-piece mold for all 4 connectors. It will require utilization of the aluminum mounting plate from the original DIS module.

As for the development cost, I expect it to exceed $35,000.00 to produce beta test samples. Development will include actual engine dyno sessions before releasing the beta modules.

I hadn't planned on releasing this info because ultimate unit costs, delivery schedule, etc. are not known and always have hiccups along the way, but I couldn't ignore the concern for the future of our ZR-1's.

[A26B]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Jerry the Mercedes Ignition Transformer is repairable and its in the same Epoxy.....

and then... there is the code issue.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by A26B

and then... there is the code issue.

So only scavenging from a dead unit and transplants are the only way forward for now. My kingdom for lack of a horseshoe mail comes to mind. I wonder why that chip cant be read.

[A26B]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

So only scavenging from a dead unit and transplants are the only way forward for now. My kingdom for lack of a horseshoe mail comes to mind. I wonder why that chip cant be read.

Well, we could make new aluminum bases for each unit, but it just adds bucks to the cost.. The base will be optional as some yet-to-be-determined price.

[Billy Mild]

So there is no other way to drive the ignition?

[XfireZ51]

Jerry,

Giving any consideration to driving individual cylinder coils?

[A26B]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Jerry,

Giving any consideration to driving individual cylinder coils?

Dom,

I am a big fan of the cylinder coils, but my agenda for Jerrys Gaskets is to fill the parts vacuum with direct replacement parts that require no modifications and perform exactly as stock. By far, the bulk of my customers are only interested in keeping the ZR-1 running, in stock condition. You know me though.... personally I am a mod addict. So much so, my ZR-1 isn't really a go for a Sunday afternoon drive..... on public roads anyway

Billy Mild, So there is no other way to drive the ignition?

Sure there is, just requires a different system (aftermarket) that requires modifications and non-stock appearance.