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 in 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
                (grains per vehicle mile)
Baseline

Magna-Flash

I Reduction
from baseline
HC
1.5
1.6
CO
33.5
34.6
C02
288.7
322.6
NOx
2.2
2.2
-6%*
-12!
  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
                         Magna-Flash Test Results

                          1975 FTP-CVS Procedure
                            1971 Chevrolet Vega
Tes't#
12
18
18
12
18
12
12
12
-2122
-0121
-0122
-2125
-0131
-2129
-2133
-2136
Date
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
-26
-27
-28
-31
-02
-03
-04
-05
-72
-72
-72
-72
-72
-72
-72
-72
HC
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.49
.45
.55
.46
.47
.87
.60
.48
CO
33
32
36
31
29
44
37
2-7

.90
.81
.01
.21
.63
.09
.03
.56
C0_2
284
285
272
312
361
303
304
321

.7
.1
.92
.17
.05
.13
.77
.26
NOx
2.12
— •
2.26
2.18
1.96
2.18
2.21
2.28

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