The b3 engine uses a wasted spark ignition

[lancerevo]

The b3 engine uses a wasted spark ignition. I had found out. That's why when I try to adjust the ignition timing to 10degrees btdc it always be out of power. The thing was that because it uses a wasted spark system it fires twice for every complete cycle, so the timing light will read always half the timing it's really is. So if I set the light to 10deg btdc, in reality it is 5deg btdc. Anyway, I adjusted to 20deg btdc on the timing light and it is 10deg btdc. Now my question is, can the timing be advanced a little bit more from stock to make more power?

Thank you very much.

[ejp2fast]

huh? wasted spark? so it is sparking between the power and exhaust stroke? that can't be....

[hot4dl8ly]

I run mine @12-13 and no concerns so far. It cannot be wasted spark type as the rotor button only rotates at camshaft speed(half crankshaft speed).

[dlaske]

Sounds like its time for a new Rotor & Cap! Or you've really got an odd issue with your ignition system. (Poor-man's MSD?)

There appears to be a "wasted" pulse of the injectors. This occurs in Festivas, but not Aspires. If you have a real good look @ the wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual you'll see the difference: 2 circuits instead of 4 individual on the Aspire. I've asked many engineers and a few old race hounds about this; it looks like a real economy and emissions disaster at first glance. It turns out to "supposedly" not make that much of a difference in fuel delivery timing, it stays on the intake side and gets a chance to atomize, and doesn't just pump out the exhaust. My common-sense still thinks its odd.
I have no experience with Aspires, so perhaps someone can tell if their injectors have a higher flow rate and that is why they were able to change things.

[grey]

The b3 engine uses a wasted spark ignition.
Thank you very much.

Can you tell me what numbers, names you see on the distributor itself?
Is it a Mitsubishi distributor?

I noticed a difference in the B6 and B3 distributor. My first thouht was that the mitsubishi (b3) fired twice as many. I dont have them both here to look, but I will get back

[Biff]

If it has a distributor I would say it is not wasted spark. The Wasted Spark system that I know of is on a Miata B6, it has a timing unit off the cam and runs two ignition coils.

[FB71]

It is not wasted spark. It CANNOT be wasted spark with a distributor. Wasted spark requires a transformer type coil to fire two cylinders simultaneously.

What I suspect happened was that you did not disconnect the vacuum advance before you tried to set base timing.

[lancerevo]

I found this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasted_spark

The Mazda B engines are listed.

[grey]

The two distributers I am looking at differ in that the mazda one has 2 magnets on the pickup coil and the mitsubishi has just one magnet.

Now, i dont know what difference this makes.

[FB71]

I found this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasted_spark

The Mazda B engines are listed.

yes, but if the engine is equipped with a distributor, it is NOT wasted spark. Later B engines are wasted spark, but not those in our cars.

[grey]

The two distributers I am looking at differ in that the mazda one has 2 magnets on the pickup coil and the mitsubishi has just one magnet.

Now, i dont know what difference this makes.

And I am curious to find out the difference because I will need to find the ECM to go with this Mitsu dizzy. It came on an unidentified engine. It is a B3, that is all I know...oh it came out of a 1990 mazda 323. However, that is not usual for a car in the states.

[Fordverde]

Should be nice to have a B series with twin spark, like the system used in the Alfa Romeo's

[ejp2fast]

good info, my brain is now bigger!

[lancerevo]

I had made some testing for the wasted spark for the b3 but I was wrong. It does not have a wasted spark ignition. I tested how many times the no.1 spark plug fires for every crankshaft turns. It fires once every 2 crankshaft turns = 1 spark for 1 complete cycle. The think that I can't understand is my ignition timing. When I set it to 10deg btdc the engine feels down on power and backfiring many times while decelerating. What can be my cause?

[FestYboy]

your fuel cut is not working properly, and your cylinders are loading up with fuel?