Crane HI6 finally died, what ignition box do you recommend?

[Badfish]

So, after about ~30 years, I think my Crane HI-6TR has finally died. Blast from the past, I initially had this box on my 1990 Integra, back in the mid-90s. At the time, they didn’t make ignition boxes for sport compacts, so I had to use a V8 box and dial in the rev limiter. Been running it on the cobra since 2004.

I’m still doing some troubleshooting, but I think I isolated my issue to the box. Not sure if when I used a NOCO battery jumper that it surged the system, or it was just time. I’m not getting enough voltage to the coil. Replaced the magnetic pickup; and even did the jumper test bypassing the pickup.

So, Crane is out of business. I was looking at the following: MSD 5520 Street Fire Ignition

My setup is a dual quad carb, with 85 distributor. Converted / modified from 1987 EFI about a decade ago.

Thanks in advance!

[bobl]

Check out Daytona Sensors. They took over some of the original Crane HI 6 technology.

[Badfish]

Thanks, will do. I didn’t know that.


Check out Daytona Sensors. They took over some of the original Crane HI 6 technology.

[StangRacer]

So, after about ~30 years, I think my Crane HI-6TR has finally died. Blast from the past, I initially had this box on my 1990 Integra, back in the mid-90s. At the time, they didn’t make ignition boxes for sport compacts, so I had to use a V8 box and dial in the rev limiter. Been running it on the cobra since 2004.

I’m still doing some troubleshooting, but I think I isolated my issue to the box. Not sure if when I used a NOCO battery jumper that it surged the system, or it was just time. I’m not getting enough voltage to the coil. Replaced the magnetic pickup; and even did the jumper test bypassing the pickup.

So, Crane is out of business. I was looking at the following: MSD 5520 Street Fire Ignition

My setup is a dual quad carb, with 85 distributor. Converted / modified from 1987 EFI about a decade ago.

Thanks in advance!

Have you considered using a Duraspark?

When I raced in CMC I ran the "carb spec" option and we were restricted to the use of the Duraspark ignition and the 85 distributor like you are using. I used a "blue strain" Duraspark box but mounted it in the cabin to keep it away from heat. I found it to be a very simple, inexpensive, and reliable system. I always carried an extra Duraspark box in the trailer JIC but never had to use it.

[Badfish]

Thanks for the intel. I've actually been researching the Duraspark option, especially since I've got the Duraspark distributor. An MSD (or other aftermarket) box would be 100% plug & play, appears the Duraspark module will require some slight modification. Looks like the DSII (blue strain) requires a ballast, but the DSI (red strain / California, hotter spark?) can be used with a straight 12 volts. Looking at wiring diagrams now!



Have you considered using a Duraspark?

When I raced in CMC I ran the "carb spec" option and we were restricted to the use of the Duraspark ignition and the 85 distributor like you are using. I used a "blue strain" Duraspark box but mounted it in the cabin to keep it away from heat. I found it to be a very simple, inexpensive, and reliable system. I always carried an extra Duraspark box in the trailer JIC but never had to use it.

[StangRacer]

Thanks for the intel. I've actually been researching the Duraspark option, especially since I've got the Duraspark distributor. An MSD (or other aftermarket) box would be 100% plug & play, appears the Duraspark module will require some slight modification. Looks like the DSII (blue strain) requires a ballast, but the DSI (red strain / California, hotter spark?) can be used with a straight 12 volts. Looking at wiring diagrams now!

When I was researching the Duraspark I found mixed opinions regarding the ballast. With my CMC car I used a TFI coil and did use a ballast just to be on the "safe side". IIRC, the ballast I used was from a Dodge/Chrysler of some sort. I seem to recall the blue strain box being the one most recommended. I don't recall any modifications I had to do to use the Duraspark... When I wired the CMC car, I used all GM Weatherpack connectors. I sold my CMC car about a month ago and with it went my notebook with all the wiring diagrams so I am going off of memory and, unfortunately, my memory is not as accurate as it once was...

[Badfish]

Thanks. Yeah, most posts I saw were with the blue strain too. Found a post over on VMF with a link to the Pantera forum on the red strain that was interesting. Also saw other posts that the ballast is needed more for the coil than the module, so maybe not needed with the TFI coil.

I hear ya on the memory! Trying to figure out / remember my own wiring…1987 harness, modded for carb, TFI coil, old school starter relay, 1965 ignition switch, Crane ignition box (with some GM connectors) and who knows what else!





When I was researching the Duraspark I found mixed opinions regarding the ballast. With my CMC car I used a TFI coil and did use a ballast just to be on the "safe side". IIRC, the ballast I used was from a Dodge/Chrysler of some sort. I seem to recall the blue strain box being the one most recommended. I don't recall any modifications I had to do to use the Duraspark... When I wired the CMC car, I used all GM Weatherpack connectors. I sold my CMC car about a month ago and with it went my notebook with all the wiring diagrams so I am going off of memory and, unfortunately, my memory is not as accurate as it once was...

[Badfish]

Here’s a few of the threads on DS1 I mentioned:

https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/duraspark-coil-need-to-not-have-a-ballest-resistor.1180215/

https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/duraspark-2-install.1209458/page-2#replies

[Badfish]

Welcome to 1974. I picked up the 'red' strain. I'm going to get the pigtails for easier install...

200337

[Badfish]

Success! Wired it up per the Pantera Duraspark I diagram, including the relay. Started right up!

https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/parts-needed-to-convert-duraspark

Still to be mounted, and pigtails on order. Very happy, but at the same time, sad to see my old Crane unit has passed. I guess ~30 years was a good run!

202829

[StangRacer]

Success! Wired it up per the Pantera Duraspark I diagram, including the relay. Started right up!

https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/parts-needed-to-convert-duraspark

Still to be mounted, and pigtails on order. Very happy, but at the same time, sad to see my old Crane unit has passed. I guess ~30 years was a good run!

202829

Good deal!!!

What coil did you end up using?

Are you using a small distributor cap on the Duraspark distributor?

After reading the link you posted from the Pantera site the "red strain" box looks intriguing...

[Badfish]

Hey, yeah I’m super happy.

I’m still using the stock 1987 coil from the original EFI setup. For the distributor, I’m running the smaller cap. Of course, thru the troubleshooting, I now have a new magnetic pick up in place, and a back up coil and reluctor!

The DS1 came from NAPA, arrived in a few days. I dug a relay out of the parts bin, might be as old as the car. When I read over the Pantera write up, it convinced me to add the relay so the module and coil see 12V.

Only thing that concerns me is the lack of a rev limiter, but once back on the road, we’ll see how it goes.



Good deal!!!

What coil did you end up using?

Are you using a small distributor cap on the Duraspark distributor?

After reading the link you posted from the Pantera site the "red strain" box looks intriguing...

[StangRacer]

Hey, yeah I’m super happy.

I’m still using the stock 1987 coil from the original EFI setup. For the distributor, I’m running the smaller cap. Of course, thru the troubleshooting, I now have a new magnetic pick up in place, and a back up coil and reluctor!

The DS1 came from NAPA, arrived in a few days. I dug a relay out of the parts bin, might be as old as the car. When I read over the Pantera write up, it convinced me to add the relay so the module and coil see 12V.

Only thing that concerns me is the lack of a rev limiter, but once back on the road, we’ll see how it goes.

Awesome!! I am glad it worked out!! The Duraspark is such a simple system and relatively inexpensive. I never had a problem with mine in my CMC car and come to think of it, I never heard of any of the other carbed Ford guys having problems either.

I don't know of a rev limiter for the Duraspark. If you find something that would work please post it here.

[Badfish]

Good to know, makes me feel more confident in going ‘all Ford’ with this setup.

More to come on the rev limiter. Initial look, they cost as much as the MSD box!