Racing Ignition Crank Triggers

Ignition systems based on mechanical distributors may lack spark timing precision, which is especially evident in high-performance, high-RPM racing applications. Timing delays and fluctuations may occur due to play in gear couplings, timing chain stretch, and even crank and camshaft twisting. You can disregard such inaccuracies in daily driving, but when you add a forced induction system, nitrous injection, or simply upgrade your engine to increase its compression ratio, you need a way to ensure a more precise spark timing. That is when ignition crank triggers come into play. They are designed to read timing signals directly from the crankshaft.

Such a kit consists of a steel or aluminum trigger wheel that can be bolted directly to the harmonic damper on the crankshaft. An aluminum wheel holds four or more powerful permanent rare-earth magnets on its circumference equally spaced and placed at certain angles. Alongside the trigger wheel, a sensor holding bracket is placed. A nonmagnetic sensor detects the precise moment when each of the magnets passes it when the crankshaft is rotating no matter how high its RPMs may get. A steel trigger wheel features elongated trigger teeth. It is designed to work in tandem with a magnetic sensor.

A sensor holding bracket features a sliding part that can be adjusted so that the sensor could match with the trigger when the crankshaft is rotated to place the number one piston at the top dead center position on its ignition cycle. After the installation of an ignition crank trigger, the distributor no longer has an ignition timing function so it needs to be modified to lock its advance mechanism. You cannot remove it completely because it still needs to distribute spark impulses between ignition wires. Visit our online store to browse our extensive catalog of racing ignition crank triggers by some of the most reputable manufacturers in the game.