CR250/CR500 Ignition Discussion

[Tbone07]

Ok i've seen multiple threads and discussions on this topic, but none of them left me with a definitive answer. I'm looking at the Service Honda CR500 ignitions.....what needs to be done to correctly run this ignition on a 250R?

Also about the 02-Newer CR250 ignitions....Is there a concern in the differences once they went to the electronic PV? How will that effect it for the TRX250R vs. the 2001 system?

There are so many choices now it's hard to pick one. Im hoping [MENTION=105]rsss396[/MENTION] chimes in on this

2001 CR250 vs. 2002-newer CR250 vs. Service Honda CR500

[bnau267]

ESR has a 2007 kit on their website so might as well include that as well.

[poli250]

went round n round with service and bdt on these a couple months ago. service said you can not use the cr500 ignition on the trx, the bdt coc said you can. I know the bdt one is the same as the service one, means both should work. bdt and service said the cr500 ignition is a double kick, the cdi needs a charge to fire, wtf?. not sure on the 02-07, mixed opinions from builders, eddie said the 01 is the one, cant get it to sell. said screw it and purchased the 01.

[bnau267]

Not sure that it matters but the 01 CR250 was by far the best running.  I could have to do with the changes Honda made to the motor (power valve).  Service Honda offers the AF250 which means that they have either inventory or access to the 01 ignition systems because they build the engines from scratch.  Maybe they switched to the newer style CR engines but I could have sworn the they used the 2001 in the bike and the quad.

[dlunn]

The only part not available from honda new is the cdi I believe.  What about just getting an aftermarket one like an hpi?

[rsss396]

Ok I've seen multiple threads and discussions on this topic, but none of them left me with a definitive answer. I'm looking at the Service Honda CR500 ignitions.....what needs to be done to correctly run this ignition on a 250R?

Also about the 02-Newer CR250 ignitions....Is there a concern in the differences once they went to the electronic PV? How will that effect it for the TRX250R vs. the 2001 system?

There are so many choices now it's hard to pick one. I'm hoping @rsss396 chimes in on this

2001 CR250 vs. 2002-newer CR250 vs. Service Honda CR500

What I know about the Service Honda is what BDT sold to a member here and it was a bolt on piece using a adapter plate like ESR's 01 and earlier style plate.
If you buy directly from sevice honda it may or may not have the correct size centering hole on the stator plate, A cr500 has a smaller stator side crank seal so the centering shoulder on the case is also smaller. The cr125 plate fits perfect on a cr500 but will not fit on a cr250- ESR 250r trx adapter plate unless you machine the stator plate to the larger cr250 ID. or mount the stator and wiring on a cr250 mounting plate


They may kick start a little different because they are programed to ignore the first revolution and fire on the second, this helps prevent kick backs but sometimes requires a second quick kick to get it to fire, I have a feeling this is more of cr500 situation because the gearing on the cr500 kicker spins the crank slightly slower and less revolutions than the trx250r.
I have not heard of any failures yet on the cr500 forums so they seam to be reliable, I forget who was making them but they have been around awhile.

The 2001 CR250 gets the most attention with the 2000 close behind, my personal experience with both year's  is there is no difference on the dyno between the
2000 and 2001 cdi, so do not be afraid to run a 2000 cr250, and to be honest with my engine\pipe setup on the dyno, the 2000 cr125 with about +1 degree of advance had the best curve to work with my motor.

That does not mean it will be best for yours just like a 2001 is not guaranteed to best on everyones motor\pipe.

The problem is everyone thinks there is a best year but only testing your motor setup on a dyno or track will prove which timing curve works best with your motor/pipe setup

[T8R6X]

what about the newer versions? say 02-07 performance wise?

[jcs003]

would the cr125r for any of the previously discussed years work on the trx250r?

john

[rsss396]

The 00-01 cr125 complete stator/cdi/coil will work on the trx250r but you must use a cr250 flywheel and the stator plate needs machined to the ID of the cr250 stator plate.

[Tbone07]

Thanks Dave for all your insight. Guess the only hard part now is finding said parts for a decent price

[rsss396]

somebody should talk to eddie at ESR and have him build a adapter plate for TRX that could use the cr125 stator plate and cr125 flywheel, that way you could still swap the 00-01 cr250 cdi and 00-03 cr125 cdi that use the same plug.

The 02-03 cr125 stator could possiably be used also since I have tested the 02 and 03 cr125 on the 00-01 stators.
The 02-03 stators are designed differantly but look to still be using the same size flywheel but again you still need to run a cr250 flywheel.

I have stated this before the 97-99 box's are the same size as the 02-07 ignitions with both styles running the capacitor and voltage regulator but the 97-99 setups are allot cheaper normally, the timing curves are probably very simular to the 00-01 and have heard of people running them with great success, they are just bigger in size, the 97 may not be digital but pretty sure the 98-99 are digital

[T8R6X]

I looking at getting an 03 cr250 from a buddy for a good price can I use a different cdi with a better curve them the 03 or will it make that big of a difference either way?

[rsss396]

you can always adjust the stator plate for more timing and change the curve up 4 degrees

[T8R6X]

sweet deal thank you, i was worried the 03 wasnt goning to worth the upgrade seems like it should work fine.

[rsss396]

If you slot the stator plate farther than the factory has, you can get up to around 8 degrees of advance very easy which on the 03 may not be a bad thing to test with