Is the CDI box in a car interchangeable?
The CDI boxes in these systems are not interchangeable. Us: What kind of repercussions could there be if someone uses a CDI box not originally designed for a particular vehicle model?
Why is my CDI box not in Spec?
If they’re close enough to create a spark but not in-spec, the spark may be weak or mis-timed.
Do you have to match the CDI to the engine?
The CDI must be matched to the engine that’s being worked on. In addition, the electrical aspects of the system such as the resistance and voltage of the pickup and source coils also vary widely, which will likely exacerbate problems from mis-matched CDIs, or make them not work at all.
What happens if your CDI is too late?
Even if the electrical system works as it should, if it’s firing either too soon or too late relative to the piston’s stroke the result can be things as comparatively minor as poor acceleration or poor gas mileage, or more significant problems all the way up to severe engine damage.
The CDI must be matched to the engine that’s being worked on. In addition, the electrical aspects of the system such as the resistance and voltage of the pickup and source coils also vary widely, which will likely exacerbate problems from mis-matched CDIs, or make them not work at all.
The CDI boxes in these systems are not interchangeable. Us: What kind of repercussions could there be if someone uses a CDI box not originally designed for a particular vehicle model?
What happens to the timing on a CDI?
This is exactly what happens in cdi’s that have a curve. They start out with more advanced timing at lower rpms (to shift the powerband of the pipe to lower rpms), and then retard the timing at higher rpms (to shift the powerband of the pipe to higher rpms). Some cdi’s dont have a curve though, and you have to compromise.
If they’re close enough to create a spark but not in-spec, the spark may be weak or mis-timed.