Digital vs Analog launch controllers

joespanova · 08-25-2011, 08:40 AM

Can anyone confirm that the newer digital controllers are "smoother" as a launch controller than the analog 2 steps?

In other words , if I launch at 7000 with a conventional older 2 step it has the characteristic rough sound from dropping cylinders ( which I dont like )....................its my understanding that the newer , say Digital 7 has a smoother RPM control. Apparently the newer digital controls use a different sequence?

All of this stems from me finding evidence of harmonic damage in the engine. In addition to needing to rebuild the ATI damper ( part of the problem ) I am trying to eliminate any other "influence".
I am currently using an old MSD 6AL and a 2 step. ( yeah I know , old ).

Thanks

Keith 944 · 08-25-2011, 03:40 PM

you may be on to something, i had a balancer do that when i ran an msd and 2 step, i now have Mallory and digital rev limit. it is WAY smoother, no pop and bang, and the balancer is happy too. can't say for sure that's why but who knows??

james schaechter · 08-26-2011, 06:06 AM

We have been running a Digital MSD for several years on our Nova and they are smoother. They sound cool too. LOL. I am told by MSD that the reason for this is that an analog one can randomly hit the same cylinder to misfire in a row where the digital will not do this. We did not have any balancer issues before or after.

joespanova · 08-26-2011, 07:49 AM

Thanks

On another post I mentioned having "friction welding" ( balancer ), a loose timing chain and damaged lash caps.........the balancer has been in service for 16 years or so without a freshen up AND I was informed the balancer never had the correct o'rings for my RPM range , to begin with.

So , my first thought was the 2 step , HOWEVER , it appears the balancer , as someone mentioned , probably stopped doing its job a long time ago ( yes I'm a dumb *** ). So , off the balancer goes to ATI and since I THINK the 2 step , by its nature , may have contributed to the problem.
So it comes out as well and will be replaced with a digital setup.

08-25-2011, 08:40 AM	#1
joespanova Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ga. Posts: 521 Likes: 7 Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Digital vs Analog launch controllers Can anyone confirm that the newer digital controllers are "smoother" as a launch controller than the analog 2 steps? In other words , if I launch at 7000 with a conventional older 2 step it has the characteristic rough sound from dropping cylinders ( which I dont like )....................its my understanding that the newer , say Digital 7 has a smoother RPM control. Apparently the newer digital controls use a different sequence? All of this stems from me finding evidence of harmonic damage in the engine. In addition to needing to rebuild the ATI damper ( part of the problem ) I am trying to eliminate any other "influence". I am currently using an old MSD 6AL and a 2 step. ( yeah I know , old ). Thanks

08-25-2011, 03:40 PM	#2
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,193 Likes: 1,160 Liked 1,877 Times in 577 Posts	Re: Digital vs Analog launch controllers you may be on to something, i had a balancer do that when i ran an msd and 2 step, i now have Mallory and digital rev limit. it is WAY smoother, no pop and bang, and the balancer is happy too. can't say for sure that's why but who knows?? __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

08-26-2011, 06:06 AM	#3
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,988 Likes: 1,288 Liked 1,428 Times in 296 Posts	Re: Digital vs Analog launch controllers We have been running a Digital MSD for several years on our Nova and they are smoother. They sound cool too. LOL. I am told by MSD that the reason for this is that an analog one can randomly hit the same cylinder to misfire in a row where the digital will not do this. We did not have any balancer issues before or after. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

08-26-2011, 07:49 AM	#4
joespanova Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ga. Posts: 521 Likes: 7 Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Digital vs Analog launch controllers Thanks On another post I mentioned having "friction welding" ( balancer ), a loose timing chain and damaged lash caps.........the balancer has been in service for 16 years or so without a freshen up AND I was informed the balancer never had the correct o'rings for my RPM range , to begin with. So , my first thought was the 2 step , HOWEVER , it appears the balancer , as someone mentioned , probably stopped doing its job a long time ago ( yes I'm a dumb *** ). So , off the balancer goes to ATI and since I THINK the 2 step , by its nature , may have contributed to the problem. So it comes out as well and will be replaced with a digital setup.