petronix or points, what does the brain trust say Options

[hndyhrr]

Ok, so i will start by saying i am out for the season as far as wrenching on car as i busted my wrist 3 weeks ago. Am going to have to put pumpkin(70, 1.7, fi) in shop to have dizzy changed and figured i would ask about petronix vs points.

please give me your thoughts on this and who to buy from.

thanks

Renee

[Jason74914]

Just installed Pertronix Ignitor II. I'm having other issues so couldn't drive it, but made the idle super smooth, plus no longer have to worry about points/condenser/dwell.

Found best price at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Pertronix-91847V-Ign...ds=pertronix+vw

I've seen some posts about how the magnet didn't go down far enough, and they had to modify the rotor. When I put mine on at first it seemed the magnet donut did not go down far enough on the shaft to match up with the sender. I pushed it down by hand until it seemed snug. However, I lightly tapped down on it (used a socket extension along edges of magnet, and tapped on it gently) and it pushed down further until is was perfectly aligned with sender. FYI, I did not need to use the spacer plate that came with the kit.

This link has some more info on part #'s at post #4.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=287203&hl=

[colingreene]

i had nothing but problems with pertronix, i went through 3 of them on two different cars.
went back to points its been fine.

[timothy_nd28]

With the off chance of driving through a nuclear EMP pulse, I say mechanical points is the way to go (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[StratPlayer]

I have a 123 ignition on it's way... Will let you know how it turns out..

[era vulgaris]

I'll take electronic ignition over points every day of the week. The MOST important thing to remember about Pertronix units, is DO NOT leave your key in the 'on' position with the engine not running for more than 3 seconds, or you will burn up the Pertronix unit. It's in the Pertronix manual, but I think most people don't RTFM and that's why they have problems with them.

IMO, pertronix is great. Set and forget. I've used them in every previous classic car that I've owned.
If it's in your budget though, a Mallory Unilite is the way to go! I have one on my current car and like it even more than the pertronix.

[pete000]

I have Pertronix in my car for a while now with no issues. I did not really notice any improvement in idle or performance. I do like it is maintenance free and the dwell does not need to be adjusted.

I would love to have the 123 digital distributor, but they are big bucks ! Maybe someday.

[pete000]

I have a 123 ignition on it's way... Will let you know how it turns out..

Please post your experience with the 123 distributor when you get it !!!!

Installation, etc...

[MarkV]

It's 2016 and I refuse to run points. If you go with the Pertronix II it has built in protection for leaving the ignition on. It also has protection built in so that if you accidentally short it out it wont fry.They make a matching low impedence coil that works well and makes for a hotter spark.

[JoeD]

I have a 123 ignition on it's way... Will let you know how it turns out..

Please post your experience with the 123 distributor when you get it !!!!

Installation, etc...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Been watching that space. Would love to hear how it goes.

[siverson]

I have a 123 ignition on it's way... Will let you know how it turns out..

Please post your experience with the 123 distributor when you get it !!!!

Installation, etc...

x2 Quite interested to learn about that.

I wonder if I would have been better off going with that:

http://123ignitionusa.com/bt-tune-porsche9...nder-2-0-2-2-l/

instead of:

http://www.partsklassik.com/p-1508-cdi-box...d-rpm-7100.aspx

(sounds like you remove the CDI box completely with the 123 system?)

-Steve

[ssuperflyoldguy]

Switching from points to an electronic ignition is not a question for me. I drove VW up until the middle 90.s - put a pertronix in my bus and never touched in 3 yrs. no begining of driving season tuneup n installing/adjusting points, not a stumble. Ever. Just started right up and went like hell. Well, as much as a carbed 1600 w flowed end castings & nice header would go. People were amazed I drove in fast lane traffic in a bus, a good running bus but hills still slowed me down a bit

[ClayPerrine]

I have run pertronix in both 914s since the early 80s. The only problem I have ever had with a pertronix was due to my own stupidity. I hooked the module up backwards and it burned out as soon as I turned the key on. But that one had 150,000 + miles on it.

Points, on the other hand, gave us problems. Hence the reason for going to pertronix. The points would not hold dwell, and would close up just driving down the freeway.

[Mark Henry]

I was a diehard points guy till the pertronix II came out. If you are getting a matching coil and mounting it on the engine get the hi-vibration epoxy filled one. The oil filled coil should be mounted upright on the firewall. The 911 guys have had several failures with a oil filled on the engine.
I'd still carry the old points, condenser and mounting screw in my glove box just in case.

One exception is if you run MSD points are really all you need, as they are just a low voltage trigger and should never wear out. Nothing wrong with using MSD and pertronix, just it isn't really necessary.

[eyesright]

I built my stock 2.0L several years ago and installed new points. I had to keep adjusting them and then realized the cam follower was wearing down to nothing within 1000 miles. So I bought a new set of points, different brand, and headed out on 1100 mile trip to Michigan. In the rain and cold I nursed it the last 100 miles. I had to take the points out - under a bridge - and file the base to get a little more adjustment out of them, still just barely opening. The next day my friends brought me new points from the NAPA store - small town, only parts store - which ran fine all the way home. Then I bought a Pertronix II and coil. No problems. Have points in glove box.

[6freak]

I smoked the one I put in the car when I changed engines $120.00 up in smoke..left the key on to long and it burned up or whatever.. ..strait back to points! they wont leave you road side....buddy said just have an extra in the jockey box...F that you ever try and do anything with the dizzy in a 914-6 on the side of the road,its hard enough on flat level ground with good light,let alone in a dark parking lot with little tools...with that said I think the petro gives a cleaner hotter spark with little to no maintanance , just dont leave your key on for any amount of time
MikeC (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[veekry9]

Gee,sounds like a thermistor could be used to switch the system automatically.

[Mblizzard]

I have a 123 ignition on it's way... Will let you know how it turns out..

Running 123 AWESOME!

[stugray]

I have a mallory unilite with optical pickup to drive my MSD.
The signal from that is a nice clean +12VDC square wave.

My datalogger can read it directly for RPM while trying that with points will get you a fried microprocessor.

[ThinAir]

I've run Pertronix for years in 4 different Type IVs and swear by them. My only complaint is that after the Pertronix II came out it wasn't immediately available for the Type IV. Because I knew about not leaving the ignition on I never burned a set and the benefits of not adjusting points was worth the inconvenience. Now that I know where to find the Pertronix II for my Type IV, I'll buy one in a heartbeat if my original goes out.