LD Performance LaunchItPro User manual

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Launch control module Installation and
Operation Manual

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Contents
Overview 3
Features .............................................................................................................................................. 3
How it works .......................................................................................................................................4
How to tune it right............................................................................................................................. 4
Why LaunchItPro?............................................................................................................................... 4
Compatibility and Limitations ............................................................................................................. 4
Installation 5
Device pinout 7
Installation on 1.8T Audi/VW Engine......................................................................................................7
Installation on Subaru Impreza.............................................................................................................11
Installation on Impreza with 4 separate coils on each cylinder........................................................11
Installation on Impreza with 4 separate ignition coils...................................................................... 12
Installation on Impreza with no ignition module and double coil with 4 pin connector..................13
Double ignition coil on top of engine (with 3 pin connector) and ignitor on the left hand side of the
engine bay.........................................................................................................................................14
Launch control module installation for Mitsubishi FTO .......................................................................23
Installation on VR6 27
Installation on VW 3 pin coil with distributor.......................................................................................28
Installation on Toyota MR2 or other VAST ignition (AE86) ..................................................................29
Installation on Honda............................................................................................................................30
Other Honda ECUs ............................................................................................................................ 31
Installation on Mazda MX5 ................................................................................................................... 32

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Overview
The launch control module can control the engine RPM by monitoring and modifying the
ignition pulses to the coil(s).
It has two modes of operation:
1. Normal mode:
The engine runs normally without any change as if the launch control is not there
2. Launch activated mode:
In this mode a rev-limit is set beyond which the launch control will apply modification to the
spark delay and miss some spark events to keep the revs under the specified limit.
The modes can be changed by pressing the clutch when the second mode is activated. For
the unit to operate as rev limiter all the time, the wire going to the clutch switch can be
permanently connected to ground to keep the module in mode 2.
Features
By keeping the engine within suitable RPM when the clutch is pressed, best launching can
be achieved, reducing wheel spin. Flat-shift is another enhancement that allows to do gear
shifts while keeping the throttle pedal completely pressed. This REMOVES lag when shifting
in turbocharged vehicles and reduces shifting time.
Besides, by tweaking the “Miss” and “Delay” settings the sound and “feel” of the rev limiter
can be varied widely. Hint: big “Delay” setting will make very loud sound from the exhaust
and produce flames.

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How it works
When activated the launch control monitors the RPM with very high precision, taking into
account every ignition pulse to instantaneously calculate new RPM value and compare it to
the set level by the “RPM” knob on the device. When the engine goes above that level, both
spark delay and spark cut are performed. The delay is set by the “Delay” knob and the
number of consecutive spark events skipped is set by the “Miss” knob. The delay calculation
takes into account the RPM so that if the RPM is changed the delay will be automatically
recalculated so the spark happens at the same degree.
How to tune it right
At the first start keep the “RPM” knob at the maximum level to make sure the rev limiter is
not too low, thus preventing the engine to start. Next, press the clutch and hold 2k RPM
while decreasing the “RPM” setting until you feel the rev limit kick in. This way you know it’s
set at around 2k RPM and can retune it easily.
Why LaunchItPro?
What makes this product different is precision and quality. In order to achieve the desired
performance the unit controls both ignition delay and ignition cut bringing this to user
configurable level. Besides, due to the fast processor and smart programming, every ignition
pulse is taken care of individually so that it never occurs too early (or randomly as with
other products) which would cause "detonation".
Compatibility and Limitations
The launch Control module features 8 independent channels which can control up to 8 coils.
The unit is compatible with many petrol engines with ignition coils with integrated amplifier
or external ignition module which uses 5V signals for each ignition event. It's been tested on
many cars; some listed in the installation manual. Currently this edition does not support
direct coil control (with no internal amplifier). For more information and specific
installations don't hesitate to contact us.

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Installation
The Launch control is connected between the ECU and Ignition module or if no ignition
module is present –between ECU and coils only if the coils have integrated amplifier inside.
Consider the following general wiring diagrams:
Figure 1: Wiring diagram with external Ignition module

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Figure 2: Wiring diagram with amplified coils
All wires to the Launch control module are marked in the following way:
Wire
Description
12V
12V ignition “ON” power supply
GND
Ground connection
CH1 IN
Signal from ECU
CH1 OUT
Signal to ignition module channel 1 / To coil 1 signal wire
CH2 IN
Signal from ECU
CH2 OUT
Signal to ignition module channel 2 / To coil 2 signal wire
CH3 IN
Signal from ECU
CH3 OUT
Signal to ignition module channel 3 / To coil 3 signal wire
CH4 IN
Signal from ECU
CH4 OUT
Signal to ignition module channel 4 / To coil 4 signal wire
Launch
Connects to clutch switch –Launch is activated when connected to ground
If the number of coils is less than 4, only the relevant channels are connected; for example, if two
coils are used (or one double coil) leave CH3 IN, CH3 OUT, CH4 IN, CH4 OUT not connected to
anything.

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Device pinout
This is looking at the connector at the back of the device.
The Launch control is tuned using 3 knobs:
Miss - sets the number of missed sparks during rev limiter (allows unburned fuel to build up)
Delay - control ignition delay ( usually the larger - the more sound and flames you get )
RPM - set the rpm limit level
After the Launch control is wired, start the car and set the RPM setting to highest (max clockwise)
and delay and miss to minimum (counter-clockwise). Connect the “Launch” wire to ground to
activate rev-limiter and start turning the RPM knob to the left and rev the engine so you can see
when the rev limiter occurs. After this is set, proceed to tuning Delay and Miss settings. Be careful
when increasing the Delay setting, as it puts more stress on the engine and turbo, due to higher
pressures and temperatures.
Installation on 1.8T Audi/VW Engine
There are two possible ignition options for 1.8T engine, pick the one appropriate for your engine by
checking the type of coils.
1: Coils look like this:

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In this case locate the ignition module in the left side of the engine bay.
It has two connectors where one is bigger, including 5 pins. Unplug the 5 pin connector and attach
the Launch control GND wire to the middle wire of the connector.

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Then pick one signal wire and cut it. Connect the side going to the ignition module with “CH1 OUT”
and the side going to the harness (ECU) to “CH1 IN”.
Do the same for the other 3 channels, connecting them to “CH2 IN”, “CH2 OUT” and so on, one at a
time so they don’t get mixed up.
Next, connect the launch control “12V” wire to switched 12V, for example from one of the coils.
Look for 12V when ignition is ON.
Go to section 3.

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2: The 4 coils look like this:
The pinout on the coil connector is:
1. +12V ignition on
2. GND (ign sig)
3. Signal from ECU (thinner wire then the other 3)
4. GND (coil)
Where pin 1 is at the side of the connector with sharper edges (not round).
Launch control installation is done by cutting signal wire at pin 3 and connect the end going to the
harness (ECU) to launch control “CH1 IN” and the end going to the coil to “CH1 OUT”. Similarly, cut
and connect the signals for all 4 coils.
Next, connect launch control 12V wire to pin 1 12V on one of the coils and GND wire to pin 2 GND on
coil. Do not cut these two; just connect to launch control wires as well. You need to do that to one
coil only not all of them.
3. Do this regardless of coil type
What is left is to connect “launch” wire to the clutch switch. It should connect to ground when clutch
is pressed and activate launch control. When wire is not connected to anything, car works as before.

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Installation on Subaru Impreza
There are a few different igniton options on subarus:
Installation on Impreza with 4 separate coils on each cylinder
The ECU wiring diagram according to the manufacturer is like this
You need to locate the ignition module and on its 5 pin connector one wire (the biggest one) is
connected to ground –connect to Launch control GND wire. The other 4 wires are ignition signals
from the ECU. Cut them and connect the ends going to the ECU to CH IN and the ends to the ignition
module to CH OUT of the Launch control.

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The 12V launch control wire can be connected to the point marked “E” on the diagram which is the
positive side of a coil.
Also install the clutch switch if not already installed.
Installation on Impreza with 4 separate ignition coils

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Each Ignition coil has 3 pins:
1 –Signal from ECU
2- Ground
3 –12V ignition ON
Use pins 2 and 3 (Ground and 12V ) from one coil to power the Launch control.
Cut the wire going to pin 1 and connect the side coming from the ECU to Launch control CH1 IN.
Connect the other side (going in the coil pin1) to CH1 OUT. Same for CH2, 3, and 4.
Installation on Impreza with no ignition module and double coil with
4 pin connector
The car’s ignition system only includes the coil with integrated amplifier:
The coils pinout is:
1. Ignition signal 1
2. 12V ignition On
3. Ground –GND
4. Ignition signal 2

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Connect launch control 12V wire to pin 2 and “GND” wire to pin 3. Cut one ignition signal wire and
connect the side going to the ECU to CH1 IN and the end going to the coil to CH1 OUT. Do the same
for the other ignition signal wire but connect to CH2 IN and CH2 OUT. Mount the clutch switch and
connect to Launch wire.
Unfortunately, the coil connector is square so it is unclear which pin is 1, 2, 3, 4… So you could
measure the 12V and the Ground wire using a multimeter to make sure. The other 2 wires would be
the ignition signals.
Double ignition coil on top of engine (with 3 pin connector) and
ignitor on the left hand side of the engine bay
1. Locate the ignition module on the left side of the engine bay and cut the following wires:
There is no need to cut the black one.
Closer view:

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2. Connect according to the next picture:
“CH1 OUT” wire to ignition module
“CH1 IN” wire to harness

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3. Insulate the connections
4. Connect the other 2 wires:
“CH2 OUT” wire to ignition module
“CH2 IN” wire to harness

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5. And insulate them as well
6. Connect and insulate the black wire in the following way (gnd)

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7. At the ignition coil peel the insulation off the middle wire:
8. Attach it to an extension wire like this:

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9. Connect it to “12V” wire
10. Always insulate all connections you make
11. Now is the time to fit the clutch button. Start by removing the original bolt positioned at the
end of the clutch pedal

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12. Install the supplied switch in its place and tighten it so it is held firmly in place
Pedal pressed
Pedal released