Using the DIYAutoTune.com QuadSpark Ignition Module With MegaSquirt

QuadSpark on an MS3 with MS3X

No hardware mods are required. Simply wire the spark inputs to the MS3X DB37 as shown. If using more than 4 output channels, two QuadSparks will be required.

TunerStudio settings required:

Under ignition settings:

• Set Spark Output: Going High / Inverted. Setting this wrong will overheat the QuadSpark.

Use standard dwell control and adjust as needed to match the coils you are using. Set the dwell at a very low value to start with (we’ve found Ford EDIS coils have especially short dwell times) and increase it slowly. Back it off if the case becomes hot to the touch.

QuadSpark on a MegaSquirt-II V3.0 or V3.57

Hardware mods required:

• Our assembled V3.57 boards, if not fitted for direct coil control, will have a jumper from JS10 to the center hole of Q16. Remove the jumper.

Now for constructing the outputs…

• Get a 100 ohm 1/4w resistor and cut the leads down to about 1/2″ at each end. Maybe a bit less.
• Tin each end of the resistor with a bit of solder.
• Cut a 5″ piece of hookup wire (22ga is fine) and strip just a 1/8″ or so. Tin the stripped wire with solder.
• Melt the tinned wire tip to one end of the tinned 100 ohm resistor tip and let it cool.

• Heatshrink wrap this wire/resistor assembly.

• Use this wire/resistor combo to jumper the ‘top’ (top as in when you facing the silkscreen side of the PCB, with the text so that you can read it normally) lead of R26 to IGN on the opposite side of the PCB on a V3.0, or the center hole of Q16 on a V3.57. (On a V3.57, this is kind of tricky. It’s easier to use pin 7 on the U1 socket instead, on the underside of the board.)
• Run additional resistor-on-a-wire combinations for each spark output.

External wiring:

TunerStudio settings required:

• Set Spark Output to “Going High (Inverted).” Setting this wrong can overheat the QuadSpark or damage the coils.
• Set Spark A output pin to D14.

Enable dwell control and adjust as needed to match the coils you are using. Set the dwell at a very low value to start with (we’ve found Ford EDIS coils have especially short dwell times) and increase it slowly. Back it off if the case become hot to the touch.

QuadSpark on a MegaSquirt-I V3.0 or V3.57

Hardware mods required:

• If the board already has any ignition outputs, remove them
• Get a 100 ohm 1/4w resistor and cut the leads down to about 1/2″ at each end. Maybe a bit less.
• Tin each end of the resistor with a bit of solder.
• Cut a 5″ piece of hookup wire (22ga is fine) and strip just a 1/8″ or so. Tin the stripped wire with solder.
• Melt the tinned wire tip to one end of the tinned 100 ohm resistor tip and let it cool.

• Heatshrink wrap this wire/resistor assembly.

• Use this wire/resistor combo to jumper the ‘top’ (top as in when you facing the silkscreen side of the PCB, with the text so that you can read it normally) lead of R26 to IGN on the opposite side of the PCB on a V3.0, or the center hole of Q16 on a V3.57. (On a V3.57, this is kind of tricky. It’s easier to use pin 7 on the U1 socket instead, on the underside of the board.)
• Run additional resistor-on-a-wire combinations for each spark output.

External wiring:

TunerStudio settings required:

• Set Spark Output Inverted to “Yes.” Setting this wrong can overheat the QuadSpark or damage the coils.

Enable dwell control and adjust as needed to match the coils you are using. Set the dwell at a very low value to start with (we’ve found Ford EDIS coils have especially short dwell times) and increase it slowly. Back it off if the BIP373s become hot to the touch.