Testing Motorola 280 ECM

**rjdubiel** · 08-16-2021, 11:04 AM

Who can test my ECM for my 280 to make sure it is working correctly?

**kellytheaker** · 08-16-2021, 06:13 PM

Simon performance - 80 bucks plus the ship if nothing found .
Or use a DDT for basics or run it and see if it performs . Hope this helps

**rjdubiel** · 08-16-2021, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by kellytheaker

Simon performance - 80 bucks plus the ship if nothing found .
Or use a DDT for basics or run it and see if it performs . Hope this helps

Ran it and ran really well, till #4 gave up. I have a ddt and it passed the static auto testing

**kellytheaker** · 08-16-2021, 08:05 PM

Just lost spark on #4 ? or burnt down no/weak compression?
I had a problem with a coil - switched them around - still nothing . Driver in ECM burnt up from that coil . It was repairable . Dan at Simon had seen many before .
What did your DDT show for history as far as misfires . Or problems present - usually lights the DDT face but not all parameters .
I

**rjdubiel** · 08-17-2021, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by kellytheaker

Just lost spark on #4 ? or burnt down no/weak compression?
I had a problem with a coil - switched them around - still nothing . Driver in ECM burnt up from that coil . It was repairable . Dan at Simon had seen many before .
What did your DDT show for history as far as misfires . Or problems present - usually lights the DDT face but not all parameters .
I

Locked up #4 tight at the end of my run and would not turn over.. By the time I was towed to the landing it turned over and actually started right away and I shut it down immediately. I did not look at the misfires but will tonight and report back on errors.

**kellytheaker** · 08-17-2021, 08:53 AM

sorry to hear - i was hoping you only meant lost #4 spark . a fuel issue? check to see what you had fuel offset at as well - while your on the DDT .

**rjdubiel** · 08-17-2021, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by kellytheaker

sorry to hear - i was hoping you only meant lost #4 spark . a fuel issue? check to see what you had fuel offset at as well - while your on the DDT .

I had it set at +1 for fuel offset, fresh clean by brucato on the injectors a few days before the race. According to the prop calculator, 20p prop, 2:1 lower, 83 mph is 9200-9600 ish. I need to get my 10K tach working to double check, but 5% slip is 9200 and 9% slip is 9600 so I am guessing I need to up the fuel offset. I usually roll off the throttle very slow from WOT after the 800 feet. I did this time as well but it got hot and stuck. Plug is just gray, no chunks. Piston top looked good but dry and gray. I need to get some time to pull the power head and start pulling it apart and will get back with everyone. I wonder if the fuel curve is just not enough to run those high rpms as when I look at drag curves they go really fat for shutdown, not sure they could do that with the 280 Motorola box as I have been told they just remove the limiter for RPM but the fuel curve stays the same as 8200 rpm or whatever the box originally was.

**rjdubiel** · 08-19-2021, 10:16 AM

it was a ring locator pin that caused the ring to hook on the intake port. Got very lucky to not stick under power and really do some damage. But Ignition Faults were as follows: IG1 - 6, IG2 - 0, IG3 - 1, IG4 - 0, IG5 - 5, IG6 - 2. So not many and nothing to worry about in my opinion. No Injector Faults. I was hoping the side pinned pistons would be ok for a hand full of 800 foot runs at high RPM but I was wrong.

**LakeFever** · 08-19-2021, 01:55 PM

Yikes, what RPM you figure is max for the side pinned pistons?

**rjdubiel** · 08-20-2021, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by LakeFever

Yikes, what RPM you figure is max for the side pinned pistons?

never over 9k apparently! I knew that but was hopping 10 to 15 800 foot runs wouldn't hurt them but i was wrong! I would keep them under 8k for side pins but do not listen to me, I would search for better info on the pistons you are using. A ton load of this discussion on here over the years on every brand of piston.

**rjdubiel** · 08-20-2021, 08:25 AM

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**LakeFever** · 08-20-2021, 08:52 AM

Dang that sucks. John Marles time perhaps?

**rjdubiel** · 08-20-2021, 09:05 AM

New top pinned pistons and most likely a new nic sleeve. May send the whole block for nic depending on what it looks like once I have it all torn down.

**rjdubiel** · 08-20-2021, 09:05 AM

Good pistons will be for sale soon

**LakeFever** · 08-20-2021, 09:08 AM

Dang man. Id have been interested in those pistons but im over boring and handed the work off to my guy. hes done me right on all other engines so im trusting him to get the right parts and fit them up. Im only going for 7500 RPM so im hoping they will be ok. Im pretty sure they are gonna be Wisecos