EMU Black V3 – Dual distributor ignition: cannot assign two ignition outputs anymore?

V3 SOFTWARE
1

Hello,

I’m running into a limitation (or possible regression) with EMU Black V3 regarding dual distributor ignition, which worked differently in V2.

Setup / background:

  • Engine with dual distributor

  • No smart coils (coils without built-in amplifier)

  • distributor-based ignition

EMU Black V2 behavior:
In V2, under Ignition → Ignition outputs, I could:

  • Set Spark distribution = Dual distributor

  • Assign two ignition outputs to the ignition events
    (e.g. Ignition output 1 and Ignition output 2 both active and configurable)

This allowed me to properly drive both distributors.

EMU Black V3 behavior:
In V3, the ignition configuration has changed:

  • The ignition output assignment seems to be tied to the Coils → Ignition outputs menu

  • Even with Spark distribution = Dual distributor, I can no longer assign two separate ignition outputs

Question:

  • Is dual distributor ignition still fully supported in EMU Black V3?

  • If yes: Where and how are the two ignition outputs supposed to be assigned now?

  • If no: was this functionality intentionally removed or changed?

Any clarification or example configuration would be appreciated.

2

If you have dual distributor so you use two ingition outputs. Dual distributors are used to provide more dwell time for the coils (as they are fired twice as rarely).

image
image371×328 9.61 KB

3

Thanks for the clarification.
In our case this is not a classic dual distributor used to increase dwell time.
The engine is a Porsche flat-six with twin plug ignition (two spark plugs per cylinder), both plugs fired simultaneously.

In EMU Black V2 this could be configured by assigning two ignition outputs.

In V3 it seems only alternating outputs (classic dual distributor logic) are available.

Is there currently a supported way in V3 to configure simultaneous twin-plug ignition, or is this functionality missing / planned?

For reference, I’ve attached a screenshot from EMU Black V2 showing the same engine configured with twin-plug ignition, where two ignition outputs are assigned per cylinder and fired simultaneously.

This configuration works correctly in V2.

In V3 I currently only see the classic “dual distributor” logic with alternating outputs, which does not represent a twin-plug setup.

Could you please clarify if the V2 twin-plug functionality is currently missing in V3, or if it is implemented in a different way?

grafik
grafik399×256 7.5 KB

1 Like
4

Hi,

hope this topic doesn’t get lost.

The vehicle has been running reliably for a long time on EMU Black V2, where it was possible to assign two ignition outputs per cylinder for simultaneous firing.
The customer would like to upgrade to V3, but currently this configuration seems no longer possible.

I would prefer not to connect two ignition coils to a single ECU output, especially because the coils do not have integrated ignition modules (no built-in igniters).

Could you please clarify one of the following:

  • Is simultaneous ignition with two outputs currently supported in EMU Black V3 in a different way than in V2?

  • Or is this functionality currently missing / planned to be reintroduced?

The V2 screenshot I attached earlier shows the exact same engine and a working configuration.

Thanks in advance for the clarification.

5

But assignemet from your configuration is very bad.

The idea of dual distributor is to give more time for dwell and limit it heat.

So you should alternate the coils 1,2,1,2 and so on.

6

Thanks for the explanation.
I think there is a misunderstanding regarding the engine setup.

This engine is a Porsche 964 flat-six with true twin-plug ignition (two spark plugs per cylinder).
In this case, both spark plugs must fire simultaneously at the same ignition angle to create two flame fronts and reduce flame travel distance.

This is not a classic dual-distributor setup used to increase dwell time by alternating coils.
Alternating ignition outputs (1-2-1-2) would mean that only one spark plug per cylinder fires at a given combustion event, which defeats the purpose of twin-plug ignition.

Is this functionality planned to be reintroduced?

The V2 screenshot attached earlier shows the same engine and a proven working configuration.

7

I’m so sorry I missed this information from the first email.

What is the the firing order of the engine ?

8

Thanks for the follow-up.

The engine is a flat-six with the following firing order:
1 – 6 – 2 – 4 – 3 – 5

Two spark plugs per cylinder, and both plugs must fire simultaneously at the same ignition angle for each combustion event.

Thanks for your help!

9

Ok, there is a solution.

Your firing order is as follow:

image
image378×296 7.56 KB

So in wasted spark you have the following pairs:

1-4

6-3

2-5

If you configure the outputs like follow and setup coils in wasted spark mode then coils 1 and 2 will be firing up toogether.

image
image386×348 9.08 KB

10

One important thing. Use Distributor option not a dual distributor (the same in v2).

Dual distributor influence the dwell time calculations. The ECU assumes that has twice the time for dwell. In your case were the coils fire toogether this assumption is not true

11

Thank you very much!

I will test this configuration as soon as the engine is installed. At the moment the engine is still being assembled, so I can’t perform a live test yet.

I’ll report back once I have test results.
Thanks again for the support.