CB Performance black box.

Ive been reading a bit about CB performance black box...
Anybody using one and what you think about them?

 

It just appears to do mappable ignition timing. A 123 distributor will do the same plus other tricks, and switches the coil electronically as well.

 

I have electronic ignition already,would it be cheaper and better to buy a 123 dizzy?

 

This is an add on to your current distributor, just using it to generate a fixed timing pulse so the box can do the mapping, which can be set up on a rolling road. A programmable 123 does a similar job. You could also go crank fired with the CB box if you wanted, which you can't do with a 123.

 

Depends if you want your timing advance done electronically, rather than mechanically. You probably wouldn't notice much difference. Main thing is to get rid of your contact breakers, which it sounds like you've done.

 

I have plenty of power but some better fuel economy would be nice,Ive read that these boxes can help with that?

 

I'd doubt it.

 

The route to fuel economy is not melting parts of the engine, and not leaving puddles of fuel in the manifold (so twin carbs or fuel injection works better).

As most of the things that make for economy melt engines like ours that are not built for it. High compression ratio, lean burn, running on the edge of pinging/knocking etc (which is where a mapped ignition comes in) ,

Apart from adding EGR for low end economy/emissions.
.
It is quite depressing when you get a setup which is running around 14:1 to 15:1 on cruise to 17:1 downhill and 12.5:1 on acceleration to discover quite how much of the time you are going up hill on max power rather than lean cruise on the flat or downhill .

And the MPG has stayed the same at 19-21 ever since I got the bus and even with two different 1641 engines.

All I seem to do is burn the same amount of fuel but accelerate harder when I improve the setup. IE slightly better than stock exhaust, slightly better than stock progressive carb, 1641 P&C's, a non-rattly Bosch SVDA, breakerless ignition, compression upped a bit, oil cooler. (worth about 45 mph instead of 40mph in third gear up a hill, or make it up the same hill without changing down from 4th at 40 mph)

 

Fuel economy can also be improved by driving something that isn't shaped like a brick!

 

So CB's claims of better fuel economy is not true then?
Surely having a mappable ignition would be an advantage in regards to fine tuning?
Im sure my fuel economy will improve as the motor runs in a bit more,its only done 5000km.....

 

It's not going to make a huge difference, you're only controlling the spark, not the fuel.

 

I think I will go for it anyway,something to fiddle with....

 

Well, it may be on some engines, but you haven't much leeway on an aircooler. If you haven't got a dyno or rolling road, how would you set it up without burning holes in your pistons?

As above, controlling the fuel would probably make a difference.

 

Nooo...get a 123 if you're spending money. It does other far more, genuinely useful tricks as well, like spark-balancing.

 

I would use JPM as my dyno tuner....

 

the 123 is still a mechanical dizzy, but it's much better made than a bosch copy, so will be much more reliably accurate...
the CB black box is as Owen said....can be used as an electronic trigger or as a mappable unit for crank fired....crank fired is much more involved, but ultimately more accurate, if you've deviated from stock, with carbs, exhaust, heads, valves, cam etc. etc. I went crank fired because it worked out much cheaper than 123 tune, but if you can afford it, I'd go for the easiest option....remove dizzy, replace dizzy....fiddle with it....done

 

I've kept meaning to ask you Clive...how much does Fjallraven clothing go for in Sweden. I've been after a jacket for ages but it's stoooopid expensive in Blighty....

 

Good advice! How much is the 123? the inter-web is slow out here...
I think my spec would do better with some tune-ability.
I will talk to JPM when im home and see what he says.

 

I can check...give me a link on what you are after...
Maybe i send you jacket and you send me a 123 dizzy? joke...but serious at the same time..

 

sounds good
as you're running idfs and a cam, are you already running some vacuum advance? I would, personally, but have a chat with JPM....he'll know what works with your set up. I'm only asking as the tuneable 123s can be supplied with or without vac....

that's the beauty of Black Box (and Megajolt) tbh.....whatever signal you get from your carb (or combined from all four) you can dial in the advance you actually need...the 123 is reputed to be a good bit of kit though...a good old mallory would also be a good bet for your motor.....the new ones get a bad rap

I'll check prices for 123 in the UK and from the manufacturer in Netherlands (had a good few chats with him about his dizzy)..

the jacket I was after was this in Dark Olive...small