TheSamba.com :: View topic - Reviews? CB 2094 Complete MAGNASPARK Crank Trigger Ignition Sys.

Sat Jul 13, 2019 4:51 pm

This has been on the market for some time but I haven't heard/been able to find many reviews.

https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/2094.htm

2094 Complete MAGNASPARK™ Crank Trigger Ignition System and Data Logger

Adjusts tune automatically for altitude
No moving parts
Replaces specialized VW factory coil with a semi-universal performance upgrade coil
Eliminates the possibility of points, condenser, cap, distributor, distributor drive shaft and distributor gear failure.

Why is this kit not more popular? If it functions as intended/stated, $575 seems reasonable.

Sat Jul 13, 2019 5:17 pm

Because you need to tune and you need a laptop. I have one but my engine isn’t ready.

Sun Jul 14, 2019 4:16 am

LivinInnaVWBus wrote: This has been on the market for some time but I haven't heard/been able to find many reviews.

https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/2094.htm

2094 Complete MAGNASPARK™ Crank Trigger Ignition System and Data Logger

Adjusts tune automatically for altitude
No moving parts
Replaces specialized VW factory coil with a semi-universal performance upgrade coil
Eliminates the possibility of points, condenser, cap, distributor, distributor drive shaft and distributor gear failure.

Why is this kit not more popular? If it functions as intended/stated, $575 seems reasonable.

I’ve considered it a couple times. My stock setup works pretty darn well though and I like the nostalgia.

I ran a dis-ix and first one a wire came loose and killed the system. Went back to stock while I waited for replacement from factory. The replacement had the same issue a couple years later. I didn’t notice until it was too late. Back to stock...

I’m cool with adjusting points every now and then but electronic stuff just all lit fails sometimes.

Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:16 am

IF you are a DIY person, you can probably get into electronic ignition for less....

https://wiki.autosportlabs.com/MegaJolt_Lite_Jr.

Dale

Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:52 am

I have that kit waiting to go on with my fuel injection upgrade.

Lots of guys are happy with stock stuff and more importantly, how it looks. Honestly, there isn't much point to crank fire unless you upgrade to FI.

My DIS-X system is 11 years old and still going strong on my race engine. I also run a Pertronix billet setup on my street buggy.

brad

Sun Jul 14, 2019 9:44 am

For $600 I think I would just step it up a bit. For close to the same money you could get a microsquirt and one of Mario's crank triggers. Then if you ever wanted you would have the base for fuel injection.
http://thedubshop.com/microsquirt-with-short-harness/
http://thedubshop.com/crank-trigger-pulley-bolt-on-type-1-vw/
http://thedubshop.com/ign-4vw-coil-pack/

Sun Jul 14, 2019 3:36 pm

I never understood the whole not much better without fi argument. You can fine tune the ignition to your carbs.

The microsquirt is a better buy.

Sun Jul 14, 2019 5:27 pm

Thanks for the reply guys!

I understand it can be pieced together using other branded parts for $100-$200 or so less, but I still don't understand why it isn't a more heavily considered option for new builds. Especially when considering if you actually want to play ball, you're likely to invest in a German 010/019/034 and a blue coil or an electronic distributor/matching coil, which either of these options are nearing the $600 mark anyways.

Rebuilt 019 $325-$400
Non-Mexican Bosch coil $55
Bosch wires $35
Total $415-$490

slalombuggy wrote: Honestly, there isn't much point to crank fire unless you upgrade to FI.

**
- No moving parts
- Replaces specialized VW factory coil with a semi-universal performance upgrade coil
- Eliminates the possibility of points, condenser, cap, distributor, distributor drive shaft and distributor gear failure.
- Can be timed much more accurately, no flutter.
**

Sun Jul 14, 2019 6:06 pm

buguy wrote: For $600 I think I would just step it up a bit. For close to the same money you could get a microsquirt and one of Mario's crank triggers. Then if you ever wanted you would have the base for fuel injection.
http://thedubshop.com/microsquirt-with-short-harness/
http://thedubshop.com/crank-trigger-pulley-bolt-on-type-1-vw/
http://thedubshop.com/ign-4vw-coil-pack/

This is a bit sexier.. isn't it.

Sun Jul 14, 2019 6:17 pm

I just recently went crank trigger on one of my engines and I understand both sides of the argument now.

The CB system would be right around $900 CDN delivered to my door. The basic economy ignition only version Mario sells would be $1600 CDN delivered. The deluxe version FI capable is $2800 for me.

For the guy that wants to drive his VW and not looking for the ultimate system the power and drivability compared to a good quality, good condition German made distributor is quite minor. Yes some improvement in drivability in most cases but the difference in power and fuel mileage would be hard to document for the average guy.

Pretty hard to justify that kind of expense with so little real gain. Dollars to HP you are better spending that money elsewhere.

On the other hand if you are spending the big bucks, entering competition, going FI and/or boosting your engine it makes no sense to go with anything less! Top drawer stuff!

I spent about $500 on my system by getting it used and the biggest gain I have gotten is the fun of putting it all together and making it work. Would I do it again? Maybe and maybe not depending on what the engine is going to be used for.

Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:40 pm

I admit lately I have too been looking at the microsquirt with crank fire setup from Mario... If I ever felt the desire to add EFI I would be part way there.

I think the CB kit is overpriced considering you could do it with microsquirt and have more for your money in the end. The nice the about CB is it's user friendly (maps already installed) but mario seems like a good dude.

I've seen a motor where the distributor gear was all chewed up with pieces in the bottom of the case.

Being able to tune it to whatever I want sounds pretty nice..

People who say it's pointless without FI are knuckle heads..

Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:35 am

ekacpuc wrote: I admit lately I have too been looking at the microsquirt with crank fire setup from Mario... If I ever felt the desire to add EFI I would be part way there.

I think the CB kit is overpriced considering you could do it with microsquirt and have more for your money in the end. The nice the about CB is it's user friendly (maps already installed) but mario seems like a good dude.

I've seen a motor where the distributor gear was all chewed up with pieces in the bottom of the case.

Being able to tune it to whatever I want sounds pretty nice..

People who say it's pointless without FI are knuckle heads..

I love my Microsquirt that I got from Mario, but it is more expensive once you get everything together. It also does not come with internal MAP sensor (regular Megasquirt does), vacuum adapters,wiring harness,relays, etc. For what comes in the CB kit, I think it's actually a great value if you really add up the components.

Even the USB adapter that comes with it is pretty cool. The one I got from Mario would not communicate with my laptop, due to being an older system. All the bugs have been worked out, but you have to be patient when you source all of your custom components, or pay for the homework already done with Mario's parts.

Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:33 pm

ekacpuc wrote: Being able to tune it to whatever I want sounds pretty nice..
Believe me it is very convenient!
ekacpuc wrote: People who say it's pointless without FI are knuckle heads..
Yes and no. If you are looking to get maximum HP gain with your hard earned dollars there are much better ways to spend your money.

On the other hand if you like to tinker and fine tune and HP is not the major motivation then go for it. It's a very rewarding addition in terms of small gains in power and drivability that are a lot of fun to explore even with carbs.

That CB system looks to be good value to me!

Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:53 pm

jfats808 runs one, hopefully he will comment here about it.

Personally I've looked at a lot of systems and will get this one when it's done. It comes with the wiring and relays and all the little stuff most don't think about when pricing out systems.

The biggest kicker for me is...if you have trouble you can get online tech help through your own computer and Mark will update your system using your computer with his. It costs a little, but really the software looks simple enough I doubt you'll need it.

Other more customizable systems can give more long term options, but also makes more confusion and ways to do it and not do it.

Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:14 pm

Casting Timmy wrote: jfats808 runs one, hopefully he will comment here about it.

Personally I've looked at a lot of systems and will get this one when it's done. It comes with the wiring and relays and all the little stuff most don't think about when pricing out systems.

The biggest kicker for me is...if you have trouble you can get online tech help through your own computer and Mark will update your system using your computer with his. It costs a little, but really the software looks simple enough I doubt you'll need it.

Other more customizable systems can give more long term options, but also makes more confusion and ways to do it and not do it.

I can never get CB to answer e-mails and my work hours happen to be when thier's is.

I do agree the CB kit is pretty user friendly. I have wondered how long the harness was. Is it long enough to go in the cab? I've e-mailed a few companys asking questions over the past two weeks and the only one that answers does the megajolt kit in the UK (I might purchase from them even though I would have to figure out mounting the trigger and wheel).

Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:53 pm

ekacpuc wrote:
I can never get CB to answer e-mails and my work hours happen to be when thier's is.

May I ask who you are emailing at CB?

Tue Jul 23, 2019 6:32 pm

My emails are Always answered within a few hours, Always the same day.

Plus I'm overseas in europe.... belgium.

Tue Jul 23, 2019 7:53 pm

I never have issues getting answers from CB, even when I ask dumb-ish questions. I just had some back and forth with Mark last week about a distributor I have. Always friendly and helpful.

H2OSB

Sat Sep 28, 2019 11:57 pm

Lawlessjr wrote: ekacpuc wrote:
I can never get CB to answer e-mails and my work hours happen to be when thier's is.

May I ask who you are emailing at CB?

Just saw this. As of lately I believe i’m E-mailing you and have got responses.

I see the pluses with this kit. Everything is in the kit. Looks pretty sweet.

Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:36 am

One thing that could be an advantage of the CB is all of us with the CB blackbox, digital magnaspark and crank trigger systems can trade and share our timing maps on here with each other. Plus CB provides a good starting point for a VW engine.

Yes this can also be done with the other systems but depending on which version of the megasquirt/microsquirt you have the map sizes and applications vary.