72-11
Evaluation of the Magna Flash
Ignition Control System on a 1971 Vega
February 1972
Henry L. Gompf
Test and Evaluation Branch
Environmental Protection Agency
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Background
Magna-Flash Manufacturing and Sales Company, Inc. of Ripley,
Tennessee, contacted the Environmental Protection Agency to
obtain an evaluation of an ignition control system. The
company supplied data compiled by Automotive Research
Associates Inc. indicating small reductions in carbon monoxide.
ARA reported that the measured decrease was significant as
it lay outside the bounds of test precision. It was further
reported that the decrease in CO emission levels reflected
an increase in overall combustion efficiency. On this basis
it was decided to evaluate the system in the Ann Arbor
laboratory.
Device
The manufacturer describes Magna-Flash as an ignition control
device designed to improve the performance of any engine using
the battery, coil and distributor system. The unit replaces
the standard coil and is installed iri the same manner as a
conventional coil with leads to the Battery and distributor
points and a high tension lead to the distributor cap.
Test Program
A 1971 Chevrolet Vega with a 140 CID engine was selected to
be used in the evaluation. This vehicle was equipped with a
manual three-speed transmission. Four replications of baseline
and device equipped tests were performed according to the three-
bag constant volume sampling technique as prescribed for
certification of 1975 model year vehicles. Details of this
procedure can be found in the July 2, 1971, Federal Register.
Bag samples were analyzed using a flame ionization detector for
hydrocarbons, non-dispersive infrared analyzer for carbon
monoxide and carbon dioxide and a chemiluminescence analyzer
for oxides of nitrogen. The LA4-S4 driving schedule was
employed.
Emission Results
The following table indicated the average emission levels
measured in each configuration. The results of each individual
test are presented in the Appendix.
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2.
Average Emission Results
(grams per vehicle mile)
Baseline
Magna-Flash
% Reduction
from baseline
HC
1.5
1.6
CO
33.5
34.6
C02
288.7
322.6
NOx
2.2
2.2
-6V
-3V
-121'
0%
increase
The differences measured between the baseline and Magna-Flash
equipped configurations are within 'the limits of test variation.
Thus, no conclusive changes were measured.
Conclusion
Magna-Flash demonstrated no beneficial or adverse effect on
the exhaust emissions of the Vega when tested by the 1975
Federal Test Procedure.
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3.
Baseline
Magna-Flash Test Results
1975 FTP-CVS Procedure
1971 Chevrolet Vega
Test#
12-2122
18-0121
18-0122
12-2125
Date
1-26-72
1-27-72
1-28-72
1-31-72
HC
1.49
1.45
1.55
1.46
CO
33.90
32.81
36.01
31.21
CO? NOx
^•^^•^VM ^*MVH^MV
284.7 2.12
285.1 —
272.92 2.26
312.17 2.18
Magna-Flash
18-0131 2-02-72 1.47 29.63 361.05 1.96
12-2129 2-03-72 1.87 44.09 303.13 2.18
12-2133 2-04-72 1.60 37.03 304.77 2.21
12-2136 2-05-72 1.48 27.56 321.26 2.28
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