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Thread: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

  1. #1

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    2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    I've gone through 5 distributors on this car, and I'm getting tired of crappy, inconsistent timing on my engine, bouncing tachometers, and poor gas mileage (22mpg at last fill). I can't find an actual new distributor for the car, just a bunch of garbage rebuilds. So far 2 of them just plain didn't work out of the box, one of them fell apart in the store, one had a bearing go bad in it and was squealing horribly, and now the one I have is giving me the bouncy tach. It works, the car drives, but you can feel the car hesitating in lower gears as you cruise and decelerate.

    I decided to remedy this problem by just totally dumping the distributor completely. How do you do this, you might ask? With the MegaJolt Lite Jr computer and a Ford EDIS ignition system. Yes, Ford parts on a Honda, and the Ford parts making the car better... The blasphemy is glorious!

    So I've been researching, and totally inspired by Cygnus' project threads, and decided that this wasn't much more money than buying a new distributor. I thought I'd give it a whirl and get my car running without that silly, spinny mechanical thing.

    Went to the wreckers on Saturday to scrounge up the ignition parts necessary. There were about 20 Ford Escorts at the yard to pilfer and plunder. And turned out none of them had any parts on them. The engines were pulled out of most of them and the rest already had the ignition parts missing.

    But, alas, I bought this just tonight on eBay:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT
    $71.94


    Everything I need to get started with the MegaJolt Lite Jr in one, already pulled, convenient kit!




    Also just picked up these:

    http://www.autosportlabs.com/product_info.php?products_id=41{10}23{11}25{8}19{9 }21
    The Megajolt Lite Jr computer.
    $175.85

    http://www.autosportlabs.com/sequent...ster-p-38.html
    The OMG sequential shift light for mad tyte 80hp power shifts!
    $13.95

    http://www.autosportlabs.com/hard-li...dule-p-36.html
    And the hard rev limiter module. I decided to buy the kit that comes with a PCB and all the little bits to solder onto the board, since this looked like a simple, and easy solder job for someone with minimal soldering experience. And if I screw it up, it doesn't screw everything else up with it...
    $15.95

    After shipping and sales tax (WTF Washington State) $227.77

    My total tonight came to $299.71. Seems like a good price for a standalone, crank fired ignition system.

    My goal for the weekend is to get my crank pulley machined down so that I can fit the trigger wheel on it. Basically, I'll be taking it, or a spare if I can find one, down to a machine shop and have them machine off the power steering and A/C pulleys, since the car has none of that anyways.

    So that's all for now. Will be updating more soon!
    Last edited by 2ndGenGuy; 11-10-2009 at 12:01 AM.



  2. #2
    3Geez Veteran Civic Accord Honda's Avatar
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Omfg! Epic winrar you is be teh!!!!!!!!!

    1988 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe 123k miles.

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    Nafs Asdf's Avatar
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    yay!

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    My next B20 carbed mod will be this, unless I find a deal on the crower cams first. I have been putting this off since way before the swap. An awesome <2ndGG write up and photo doc. will be a nice xmas hint hint

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    2.0Si User Hazwan's Avatar
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Holy crap that is nice! This is interesting! More PICSSSSSSS!!!!!

    1986 Honda Prelude build thread
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Well I went to the wrecking yard looking for a spare pulley to mount the trigger wheel on (whenever it finally comes in...) and found a cute little 1976 Accord sitting in the yard. And what is cool is that it had a factory lightened pulley with no A/C or Power Steering pulleys on it.



    $5 what a steal.

    I thought I was going to have to send mine out to get the other pullies removed off of it, but this will do nicely. Of course, this all depends on the crank snout being the same size when the Accord moved up to the EK1. We will find out tonight.

  7. #7
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Awesome mod! What distributor did your car have, the tec or hitachi?

  8. #8

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    My distributor is toast. Stumbling and wacky needle to about 2800 RPM. My B20A is gonna get this eventually.
    ICHIBAN!
    "Now, even more better!"

  9. #9

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Quote Originally Posted by SZfiftyfour View Post
    Awesome mod! What distributor did your car have, the tec or hitachi?
    There is only 1 distributor for the 1gee. It wasn't until 82 that they got the two different manufacturers.

    Quote Originally Posted by guyhatesmycar View Post
    My distributor is toast. Stumbling and wacky needle to about 2800 RPM. My B20A is gonna get this eventually.
    Yeah, I'm thinking mine will too. Definitely.

  10. #10

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    So good news. I compared the new pulley from the '76 with the one off of my '81.

    The '76 pulley weighs about 1/3 the weight of the '81. I'm going to pick up a scale tomorrow so I can measure the weight difference, just out of curiosity.



    As you can see here, the main pulley itself is the same size I have the '81 sitting under the '76:


    And the most important part, the snouts are the same size w00t! So this baby will fit right on the crankshaft. I know it's hard to tell from this pic but the other pulley is stil sitting underneath:



    So this should make the perfect pulley to mount the 36-1 wheel on.

    Quick question if anybody knows off the top of their heads, is the keyway in the pulley always pointing up when the #1 cylinder is at TDC? I'd like to think so but I'm not 100% sure... I will double check on my engine this weekend if necessary.

  11. #11
    2.0Si User Hazwan's Avatar
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    That looks win sir

    I had some issues with my distributor last time that it keeps on blowing the igniter or whatever you call that stuff. Replaced with a new one and all works good. Some 3rd party though.

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Ive never used the keyway as a timing guide. I never really thought of it that way. Id assume the timing marks with a needle pionter would be way more efficient per degree in comparison to a vertical hash on a crank shaft. Never played with an old 1st gen accord though either. Now Im curious

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    I'm not using it as a timing guide per-se. More like I need a reference point because I have to mount the trigger wheel on the crank pulley. Without the keyway, there's really no other timing reference, since the trigger wheel has to be mounted with the missing tooth in a certain spot in relation to cylinder 1 TDC.

  14. #14

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    My 3g keyway points up at TDC.

    I am so hugely interested in this mod. I too am watching my dizzie with a sense of resignation, knowing it's getting tired and will eventually give up entirely. You're right about there not being any way to fix them either. Even the Beck Arnley rebuilts use the old crank sensor (what a screwball design to have it in the distributor). When those crank sensors start going out, the 3g dizzies are done and we'll have to figure something else out. This could be it.

    Please post lots of pics and notes so I can learn.
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Hehe no problem, I plan on posting lots of PICS!!! I love PICS!!! I am not sure how this will work out for you guys with A/C and power steering. When you have all 3 belts on the crank pulley, I'm not sure how much room you have between the pulley and the frame-rail to fit the trigger wheel. But I'm sure there's a way!

  16. #16

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Speaking of PICS!!!! Here's some PICS!!!!

    I got the crank trigger wheel I ordered (along with the rest of the EDIS setup). But the MJLJ didn't show up.

    What's sweet is the trigger wheel is the same size as the crank pulley, EXACTLY. So it should make it easy to mount this shit up.




    And I also bought this sweet scale today at Harbor Frieght for weighing my... um... parts... yeah. So I can see how much lighter this set up is. I know it'll make fuckall difference, but I'm curious!!



    The new pulley weighs 582 grams. And the trigger wheel weighs 344g. Which is 2.04lbs. That other pulley has got to weigh around 5 lbs. I'll find out when I get the other one off I guess.
    Last edited by 2ndGenGuy; 11-19-2009 at 09:55 AM.

  17. #17
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    John. You sir are a WinRAR. That is all. Have a nice day now.

    1988 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe 123k miles.

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    2.0Si User Hazwan's Avatar
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    WinRAR indeed

    Speaking of room between the pulleys and the framerail, I've checked mine (lol) and theres bunch of room between them. Not that I'm gonna do this but its good to know :p

    And FFFUUUUUUU I forgot to check my rocker panel drain holes -_-

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  19. #19

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Quote Originally Posted by 2ndGenGuy View Post
    The '76 pulley weighs about 1/3 the weight of the '81. I'm going to pick up a scale tomorrow so I can measure the weight difference, just out of curiosity.
    And to scale out bags of BC bud?

    Quote Originally Posted by 2ndGenGuy View Post
    Quick question if anybody knows off the top of their heads, is the keyway in the pulley always pointing up when the #1 cylinder is at TDC? I'd like to think so but I'm not 100% sure... I will double check on my engine this weekend if necessary.
    Seeing as that key drives the lower timing gear as well, it should have some sort of relation to TDC, I'd imagine.
    ICHIBAN!
    "Now, even more better!"

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Quote Originally Posted by 2ndGenGuy View Post
    Hehe no problem, I plan on posting lots of PICS!!! I love PICS!!! I am not sure how this will work out for you guys with A/C and power steering. When you have all 3 belts on the crank pulley, I'm not sure how much room you have between the pulley and the frame-rail to fit the trigger wheel. But I'm sure there's a way!
    Funny you should mention that. I was in the junkyard just today wondering about it. I think the 3g guys doing the conversion are putting the ring gear over the AC pulley. I'm not willing to give up AC, so I have to figure something else out. I'm considering shaving down the PS pump bracket, moving the pump over a bit and driving it off the AC belt and putting the ring gear over the PS pulley. I can't think of anything that would make that not work. I'll keep thinking about it.
    Dr_Snooz

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    Nafs Asdf's Avatar
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    Funny you should mention that. I was in the junkyard just today wondering about it. I think the 3g guys doing the conversion are putting the ring gear over the AC pulley. I'm not willing to give up AC, so I have to figure something else out. I'm considering shaving down the PS pump bracket, moving the pump over a bit and driving it off the AC belt and putting the ring gear over the PS pulley. I can't think of anything that would make that not work. I'll keep thinking about it.
    Does the PS pulley rotate at the same speed as the crank?

  22. #22
    LXi User 79cord's Avatar
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Great ideas.
    A friend was quoted some absurd figures for his B16A distributor....

    Had to check; my (basic) '79 hatch has the "lightweight" pulley but the '77 with Dealer fitted Air-Con doesn't, (Part of Air-Con kit {& "LX" spec.} & later standardized?).
    & for interest "EL" engined Prelude parts book suggests Hitachi distributor '79-80 (clip-on cap), TEC '81-82 (screw/bolt on cap).
    Last edited by 79cord; 11-15-2009 at 12:09 AM.

  23. #23

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    Quote Originally Posted by Naf's Asdf View Post
    Does the PS pulley rotate at the same speed as the crank?
    I think he meant that people are putting the trigger wheel on the Power Steering rib on the crank pulley. You wouldn't want to put the trigger wheel on any accessories at all, because one little slip and there goes your timing. Not to mention, you'd lose the accuracy of the crank-fired ignition due to belt slop.

    Quote Originally Posted by 79cord View Post
    Great ideas.
    A friend was quoted some absurd figures for his B16A distributor....

    Had to check; my (basic) '79 hatch has the "lightweight" pulley but the '77 with Dealer fitted Air-Con doesn't, (Part of Air-Con kit {& "LX" spec.} & later standardized?).
    & for interest "EL" engined Prelude parts book suggests Hitachi distributor '79-80 (clip-on cap), TEC '81-82 (screw/bolt on cap).
    Hmm that's interesting. You know, I've never been asked which distributor I want or need for my car. So I just assumed there was only one. I guess maybe they don't ask when replacing the whole unit. But now that you mention it, I have seen the screw on type and the clip on type. But I assumed maybe one was from an 82/83 EK1 instead of the 79-81 engines... Maybe the Prelude got the TEC a year early.

  24. #24
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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    can't wait to see it finished. Let me know if you want to go to the junkyard again if you need another pulley.


    Damnit Charlie. . .

  25. #25

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    Re: 2ndGenGuy's '81 Hatchback MegaJolt Lite JR Conversion

    I started making a bracket for the VR sensor tonight, I bought some angle aluminum stock, but by the time I got done the thing was so floppycock that I decided I'm going to make it out of steel instead. That way I can weld it instead of drilling and bolting. And I can actually try doing some real welding. I'd like one of Cygnus' pre-fabbed ones, but I have to mount my sensor on the back of the EK1, and I don't think that it will really fit on my engine.

    The next step after the sensor is mounted, will be to actually mount the trigger wheel on the pulley. I'll need the sensor mounted first so that I can mark where the missing tooth goes, which has to be 90 degrees from the sensor when the engine is at TDC.

    Quote Originally Posted by itzrichie View Post
    can't wait to see it finished. Let me know if you want to go to the junkyard again if you need another pulley.
    Phó sho. Thanks for your help pulling it.

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