Crank Trigger

[js72mav]

Wondering what the pros and cons are of using a crank trigger over a billet distributor? Does one make your car faster than the other, or is one just better for the valve timing, etc.

Thanks!

[Mike Taylor 3601]

The crank trigger should give you more stable timing than dist.. I have dynoed w/both I never have seen real power difference,however if you have mechanical advance in dist. and timing is not stable,can see timing marks moving around bouncing,not staying steady when advanced it will hurt power,and can be fixed usaully by locking advance,take dist gear off ,shaft out,under where weights are there is nut that takes 11/32 wrench remove it w/bushing and rotate 180 degrees where there is hole that stud will fit through and reinstall nut and reassemble dist.
One advantage I see w/crank trigger is when using alot of retard,like with nitrous is that you can phase rotor when timing is retarded.
There maybe some power in crank trigger,but have seen alot change and not go any faster.
Crank trigger or dist. won't have any effect on valve timing,they will only effect ignition timing.
Mike Taylor 3601

[js72mav]

Thanks Mike!

[201250]

I am no expert on this subject, but I can give you feedback when I changed to one. Mike is right when it comes to the stable nature of the crank trigger. The marks were very stable, which allowed for small adjustments to be made. The other change I made at the same time was installing a Jessel Belt drive. You cannot believe how stable the entire valve train was. Quieted the noise and vibration completely. No numbers to back it up but the engine was making more power. This was a big block Mopar.

Terry

[1320racer]

All I can tell you is claims of more stable timing aside, my 950HP engine, turning 8000 in the lights in my nearly 3200 lb. ride that makes 250+ passes a season, prints time slips WITHOUT a crank trigger and no belt drive either.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

All I can tell you is claims of more stable timing aside, my 950HP engine, turning 8000 in the lights in my nearly 3200 lb. ride that makes 250+ passes a season, prints time slips WITHOUT a crank trigger and no belt drive either.

Nope, crank triggers are no good the OE manufacturers spent millions of dollars putting crank trigger initiated ignition systems on their engines for no reason. There is no doubt you can run a dist. ignition system on a race engine, ran mine to 10,000 + rpm using one. I now use a coil near plug system with a 60 tooth crank trigger to REALLY know where the timing is. When you are taxing an engine a lot you need the very best control over your timing. Put a timing light on an engine using a dist. then put it on a crank triggered engine and tell us what you see. I already know but try it. My .02 And BTW it's not a "claim" it's FACT

[SStockDart]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

All I can tell you is claims of more stable timing aside, my 950HP engine, turning 8000 in the lights in my nearly 3200 lb. ride that makes 250+ passes a season, prints time slips WITHOUT a crank trigger and no belt drive either.

disregard....not worth my effort

[Pedigo Perf]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

All I can tell you is claims of more stable timing aside, my 950HP engine, turning 8000 in the lights in my nearly 3200 lb. ride that makes 250+ passes a season, prints time slips WITHOUT a crank trigger and no belt drive either.

Where can I get a time slip printer for my car?

[1320racer]

For those that took the short bus to school, the op speciafically asked...

Originally Posted by js72mav

using a crank trigger over a billet distributor? Does one make your car faster than the other

and that question has been answer honestly and accurately by myself and others...

Originally Posted by 1320racer

All I can tell you is claims of more stable timing aside, my 950HP engine, turning 8000 in the lights in my nearly 3200 lb. ride that makes 250+ passes a season, prints time slips WITHOUT a crank trigger and no belt drive either.

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor 3601

I have dynoed w/both I never have seen real power difference, There maybe some power in crank trigger,but have seen alot change and not go any faster.

More stable timing on these engines at the RPM they turn and the power they make does NOT result in quicker ETs that can be seen on a time slip and deteremined to be the result of a swap from a locked out billet distributor to a crank trigger.

Now what the op or anyone else decides to run/spend their coin is of no concern to me, I'll continue to spend my coin on parts that I KNOW produces quicker ETs on the time slip, NOT the trick of the week and parts whose reputation is founded in myth, rumor, hearsay and marketing!

It's for this reason why my cars always run quicker ETs as well quicker 60 foots than similar cars at similar weight despite them having more cubes and bigger everything!

The truth and the facts are just that.

To the op, my apologies for the nonsense and stupidity that some feel necessary to post, rather than reply to your question.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Originally Posted by js72mav

Wondering what the pros and cons are of using a crank trigger over a billet distributor? Does one make your car faster than the other, or is one just better for the valve timing, etc.

Thanks!

Way to edit the question Ed...read it again. Pros and cans...is one better. Damn you'd think being an engineer would require being able to understand english unless of course it's not your native language. As usual you've misrepresented even the question to suit you. For your info a crank trigger is NOT "the trick of the week" been around a few days, what rock have you been under? Definately couldn't have a bigger EGO than you. Since you don't run one how can you state there is no gain? again simply your opinion, having absolute control over what the engine is getting for spark and fuel is how one MAKES POWER prolly why you make around 1.5 percube. Yes the OP's question has been answered....there are no cons using a crank trigger (unless your rules don't allow it) given the choice go with what provides the most stable triggering events...directly off the crank.