Merak Ignition system - conversion single coil | FerrariChat

Merak Ignition system - conversion single coil

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by ganimeet, Nov 22, 2013.

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  1. ganimeet

    ganimeet Rookie

    Nov 20, 2012
    6
    AUSTRIA St.Pölten
    Full Name:
    Ganinger John
    #1 ganimeet, Nov 22, 2013
    Hello again!

    I modified the original dual coil ignition system of my Merak SS to a contactless electronic ignition system with one single coil. On the one side it is not the original condition, on the other side it works really very well, the performance of the Motor is better, and the cold start characteristic is significant improved. So finally all in all I like it, and I want to keep it.

    But there is a big problem:
    By operating with only one single coil, the rev-counter gets the double amount of signals from the coil and shows twice as much rpm's.

    I found some info in the Internet, and found only 2 possible ways to solve it:
    1. to modify the rev-counter
    2. to add some "electronic module", installed between coil and rev-counter which halves the signals.

    Have anybody experience with that Problem, or know who can offer this
    "electronic module"??

    Any help or comment could help me, and is highly appreciate.

    BR
    John
     
  2. ferrarigöran

    ferrarigöran Rookie

    Jun 1, 2009
    15
    #2 ferrarigöran, Nov 22, 2013
    You should get in touch with Andrew Brodie, citroen sm specialist, he sells "divide by 2" units which make the rev counter read correctly.

    [email protected]

    cheers, Göran
     
  3. Doug R

    Doug R Karting

    Oct 11, 2005
    207
    Yellow Springs Ohio
    #3 Doug R, Nov 22, 2013
    Interesting. My US Spec 80 SS has a Bosch single coil system. Were all the Euro cars a dual set up?
     
  4. Doug R

    Doug R Karting

    Oct 11, 2005
    207
    Yellow Springs Ohio
    #4 Doug R, Nov 22, 2013
    Forgot to ask. What system did you come up with? Boy has this topic been bashed around in the past. Something new?
     
  5. gcmerak

    gcmerak Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2008
    1,657
    Engine Bay, Georgia
    Full Name:
    George C.
    #5 gcmerak, Nov 22, 2013
    Hi Doug,

    To answer your question, sort of. The early Merak SS electrical schematic shows a 2 ignition coil system while the late Merak SS has only one. Check your PDFs, U will see. :)

    Ciao
    George
     
  6. ganimeet

    ganimeet Rookie

    Nov 20, 2012
    6
    AUSTRIA St.Pölten
    Full Name:
    Ganinger John
    #6 ganimeet, Nov 27, 2013
    Hello, the advice to Andrew Brodie was a good one. I contacted him and will send me the required device for a reasonable price. Thanks Göran!
    I implemented a contact less ignition system from a Spanish company.
    Electronica de Coches
    The cold start characteristic is perfect, and it seems the performance of the motor is improved.
    For a long term experience is too early for me to say, the car is still in the restoring phase.

    By the way I learned there are several different ignition systems in the Merak’s .
    With the yellow CDS ignition boxes, with Bosch boxes, dual coil, single coils (only late SS), with vacuum electronic device, without vacuum electronic device……..also the electrical system is various……I have 4 or 5 different wiring diagrams……….but not one fits 100% to my Merak…!

    It seems Maserati was very open for different systems, maybe it was related to Maseratis weak (nearly bankrupt) financial situation at this time, so they changed sub-suppliers very often because of deliver stops caused by some lacks in the payment to them…..but this is just an assumption from my side…

    BR
    Johannes
     
  7. vfinaldi

    vfinaldi Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2015
    578
    Monterey County, California
    #7 vfinaldi, May 11, 2016
    Old thread but new question. 1977 US Spec Merak SS. It has been converted to electronic ignition (Crane Cams Fireball) which works well. But, the tachometer does not work. I did not install the electronic ignition. Did this car originally have 2 coils? Does anyone know what color the tach wire is in the engine compartment? The tach is Veglia Borletti-it has a Bora dash. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Issues: 1) I want the tach to work; 2) If it was 2 coils before, I think I need the electronic device to halve the signals; 3) I don't want to fry the tach in the event the new coil's power is too high...how to know? Thanks! Vince
     
  8. gcmerak

    gcmerak Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2008
    1,657
    Engine Bay, Georgia
    Full Name:
    George C.
    #8 gcmerak, May 13, 2016
    Hi Vince,

    To the best of my recollection, 1978 is when the SS went to the Bosch electronic single coil ignition system. BTW, the Bosch unit was also used in the 928s [Porsche]. Here is a link to the available electronic schematics for the Merak that may be of some help.

    Electrical Diagrams -Schematics

    Ciao,
    George
     
  9. vfinaldi

    vfinaldi Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2015
    578
    Monterey County, California
    #9 vfinaldi, May 16, 2016
    Thanks George!
     

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