FiTech Ignition Control

[RDMG]

Hi guys,

I'm looking at the FiTech line of retrofit EFI and fuel pump systems, and I'm thinking that's a pretty sweet solution for a v8 conversion.  

I have a Rover 4.6 designed to operate without a distributor, an OEM Bosch 4.0 manual trans flywheel with ignition trigger wheel holes in It (pretty rare piece), OEM crank position sensor, and a Buick 215 4bbl intake.  I'd prefer to have electronic ignition, but I don't think FiTech's higher-priced offerings will work.

My flywheel setup isn't 36-1, so I think Ford's EDIS system would require Megasquirt, Megajolt, or Microsquirt to control it, which makes for a lot of electronic redundancy and complication.  I think the more expensive FiTEch setups that do control ignition require some sort of mods to the distributor, that my set up doesn't have.  

My original plan was to use the stock Rover EFI intake with a cut-down or custom upper plenum, and maybe go to a returnless fuel setup using the Bosch EFI lower intake and fuel rail with a Corvette-spec LS1 returnless style external fuel pump.  THere's lots of trailblazing in that setup with lots of room for mistakes and failure, which is what makes the FiTech setup attractive.  

Anyone have any thoughts on how to best complete this puzzle?

[mgb260]

I think if you use a distributor it has to be Ford TFI or GM 8 pin with the FITECH setup. There is no easy way unless you go with stand alone electronic ignition like Pertronix or Chrysler parts adapted to the points distributor with GM HEI module. You may be able to use the large cap 350 Buick V8 HEI if you grind the intake and use an allen head bolt behind the distributor.

[mgb260]

Dave, I missed the part where you are using the front cover with no distributor. I would just use the EDIS and Megajolt. Not redundant, separate ignition and fuel systems.

[BlownMGB-V8]

You can drill a front pulley for a 36-1 trigger pattern and use it with EDIS but you still need a timing controler than can output a SAW advance signal.

Jim

[RDMG]

I appreciate all the inputs, and I'm now seeing even more issues making a FiTech setup work!

If I put all of these posts together, it sounds like the 215/3.5/3.9 distributors won't work, and that the EDIS/Megajolt option won't work either?

Bummer.

On the bright side, given the glacial pace of my conversion so far, maybe FiTech version 2.0 (with hypothetical EDIS support) will be released before I'm ready to buy it!

[mgb260]

Dave, a lot of guys use the Fitech for fuel only and a separate ignition. You could use the EDIS/Megajolt  with your front cover or older distributor/electronic conversion or 350 Buick HEI distributor with mods noted above with distributor type front cover. Just forget about the Fitech ignition control. You may have to use their inexpensive base unit.

[RDMG]

I reached the same conclusion after typing my last message!

There may be a pathway to FiTech ignition control with an MSD distributor, but that adds a lot of expense for very little gain.

I do hope that FiTech cracks the nut with EDIS control one day.  Googling reveals I'm not the only one wanting it.

The complicating factor is that I am still smitten by the crank-driven oil pump, and is like to not have a remote oil filter.  I posted a new thread on that issue, but I think the bottom line is that if I want a gerotor style pump and FiTech EFI, I'll have to either move my steering rack for the interim style cover or weld two different covers together.