Thinking of upgrading to electronic ignition, Changes to make for best performance |
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Thinking of upgrading to electronic ignition, Changes to make for best performance |
Mcraneiowa |
Jan 4 2021, 06:16 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 82 Joined: 16-June 20 From: IA Member No.: 24,387 Region Association: None |
I am looking to replace my points system with electronic ignition system. Leaning towards the Pertronix system as it looks pretty simple, straight forward and from reading seems they are now considered dependable. I do not race my car so no need to over build, rather just want dependability.
What I do want to know by those who have upgraded are what other changes did you make, as to the particular system you put in. (change spark plug gap, timing changes, wires, etc.). This way I can better understand that if I purchase a particular brand, what to also consider to get the most from it. Cost is not a major factor, as I want what works well and looks stock. As always I appreciate everyone taking time to comment, I learn lots from this site and everyone’s expertise. |
oakdalecurtis |
Jan 4 2021, 06:22 PM
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#2
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Oakdalecurtis Group: Members Posts: 1,325 Joined: 5-June 15 From: Oakdale, Ca Member No.: 18,802 Region Association: Central California |
I have a stock 76 2.0 with the stock Djet infection. It would occasionally miss at higher rpms, so about a dozen years ago I installed a Crane Fireball ignition system on it. No other changes done. The engine has never dropped a cylinder since....
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Shivers |
Jan 4 2021, 06:27 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2,382 Joined: 19-October 20 From: La Quinta, CA Member No.: 24,781 Region Association: Southern California |
When I put mine in, what I was struck by the most was how quickly my engine fired off in the morning. Worth the money just for that.
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Mark Henry |
Jan 4 2021, 06:33 PM
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#4
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
Pertronix is electronic points, it's not what I call electronic ignition as in CDI, MSD, Crane, etc.
You can do other upgrades but for just the points you can put the pertronix in without any other mods. |
Rrrockhound |
Jan 4 2021, 06:56 PM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 192 Joined: 30-November 05 From: Delaware, OH Member No.: 5,213 Region Association: None |
After I put my Pertronix in, my tach needle started bouncing wildly. I had it rebuilt by Palo Alto Speedo and they said it needed to be retrofitted to be compatible with the Pertronix. It works fine now.
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Ansbacher |
Jan 4 2021, 07:02 PM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 689 Joined: 4-July 14 From: Tampa Bay, Florida Member No.: 17,589 |
Getting rid of the points is one of the best things you can do. The Pertronix is simple and reliable. Just follow the installation instructions to the letter so you don't bugger it up. No other changes to the electrical system needed as long as the components match or equal Pertronix's specs (coil, etc.).
Ansbacher |
bbrock |
Jan 4 2021, 07:06 PM
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#7
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,269 Joined: 17-February 17 From: Montana Member No.: 20,845 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
When I bought my Pertronix III, I also bought the matching Flamethrower coil to take advantage of the Pertronix's ability to handle a hotter spark. I haven't run the engine with the new setup and have no idea if the hotter coil was a smart purchase, but I needed a coil anyway and it wasn't very expensive.
There is also a tech article on the Pertronix site for making tachs play nice. IIRC, you might need to add a resistor to the circuit. |
aharder |
Jan 4 2021, 07:07 PM
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#8
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,394 Joined: 6-September 11 From: Dallas Texas Member No.: 13,524 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I've had a Pertronix II for about 15 years, it failed on me twice. That's why I carry a spare, about a 10 min change out.
They don't like having the key left on when not running. |
bbrock |
Jan 4 2021, 08:00 PM
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#9
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,269 Joined: 17-February 17 From: Montana Member No.: 20,845 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
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Gatornapper |
Jan 4 2021, 08:00 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,215 Joined: 22-September 17 From: Woods west of Richmond, VA Member No.: 21,449 Region Association: South East States |
Mark is dead on here......but Hot Spark is just as good as Pertronix - I've run both...and a little cheaper. https://hot-spark.com/
But like aharder says, I'd carry a spare. I'd also consider MSD. Improves starts, idle and up to mid-range performance and worth the money IMHO. GN Pertronix is electronic points, it's not what I call electronic ignition as in CDI, MSD, Crane, etc. You can do other upgrades but for just the points you can put the pertronix in without any other mods. |
Porschef |
Jan 4 2021, 08:12 PM
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#11
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How you doin' Group: Members Posts: 2,165 Joined: 7-September 10 From: LawnGuyland Member No.: 12,152 Region Association: North East States |
I switched to Pertronix a few years ago, never had an issue. But upgrading to a 1-2-3 distributor made a huge difference in running.
Not cheap, but well made and adjustable (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) |
BillJ |
Jan 4 2021, 09:24 PM
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#12
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,098 Joined: 4-March 13 From: charlotte, NC Member No.: 15,610 Region Association: None |
Using 123 on the new engine build. Have not tried it yet but it looks really well made. I also got pertronix and will be installing in old dizzy and test running in the new engine as well. Will then keep as spare.
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914Toy |
Jan 4 2021, 09:36 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 718 Joined: 12-November 17 From: Laguna beach Member No.: 21,596 Region Association: Southern California |
You must check your timing after changing from the stock points - then I expect you knew this.
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ClayPerrine |
Jan 4 2021, 09:40 PM
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#14
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Life's been good to me so far..... Group: Admin Posts: 15,474 Joined: 11-September 03 From: Hurst, TX. Member No.: 1,143 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille |
We have run pertronix in all of our 914s. Betty's car has had one for more than 25 years, and the only failure I had was due to me hooking up the leads backwards.
I ran one on the 2.4, with the CD box. Worked great. I have not been able to find one for the original six, but with the CD ignition, it won't make a difference in performance, just reliability. Clay |
aharder |
Jan 4 2021, 09:41 PM
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#15
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,394 Joined: 6-September 11 From: Dallas Texas Member No.: 13,524 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I've had a Pertronix II for about 15 years, it failed on me twice. That's why I carry a spare, about a 10 min change out. They don't like having the key left on when not running. They claim they have fixed that with the III, but who knows... Was not aware of a III, will have to look into making one of those a spare until I go to a 1 2 3 with my 2056 build |
jitty |
Jan 4 2021, 10:36 PM
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#16
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 28-December 20 From: santa cruz CA Member No.: 25,027 Region Association: Northern California |
My experience with the Crane fireball was that the trigger setup in the dist is rather jenky and is hard to get stable. -- plastic parts with tiny screws, hard to get right and easy to knock it out of alignment when popping the dist cap off. Switched to the pertronix unit. easy no fuss -works.
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HansJan |
Jan 4 2021, 11:06 PM
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#17
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Member Group: Members Posts: 395 Joined: 5-April 16 From: Sugar Land TX Member No.: 19,860 Region Association: Southwest Region |
It might be not my place to comment, since I was sitting in the back of the class when this was explained.
But with the Petronix flamethrower distributor, that my car came with, I had constant misfires at freeway cruising speed (ca 3,200 rpm). The 1-2-3 distributor fixed that, with no other changes made at the time. Also love the ability to change the timing curve, with my phone (Bluetooth model). |
Mark Henry |
Jan 5 2021, 08:08 AM
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#18
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
This thread started me thinking what I use on my personal engines. I've installed pertonx on many customer cars, but I've only ever bought one pertronx for a personal car*.
-T4 2600cc, SDS efi with crankfire. -3.0/6, MSD box and a PMS twinplug dizzy with a MSD trigger. -T1 2007cc, Mallory converted to Pertronx*. -914 1.7, Pertronex, with pertronx coil, note this engine came with it. I have 3 other Mallory dizzy's in stock, one is already conveted to Pertronx. IIRC I have a couple of core engines with pertronx on them. I also have a 009 with a compufire module kicking around here somewhere. |
bbrock |
Jan 5 2021, 09:12 AM
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#19
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,269 Joined: 17-February 17 From: Montana Member No.: 20,845 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
I've had a Pertronix II for about 15 years, it failed on me twice. That's why I carry a spare, about a 10 min change out. They don't like having the key left on when not running. They claim they have fixed that with the III, but who knows... Was not aware of a III, will have to look into making one of those a spare until I go to a 1 2 3 with my 2056 build I'd take it with a grain of salt. The description includes this: "Built-in reverse polarity and over current protection shuts down the system, preventing component damage." That language also is in the description of the Pertronix II so... |
nditiz1 |
Jan 6 2021, 02:02 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,188 Joined: 26-May 15 From: Mount Airy, Maryland Member No.: 18,763 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
123ignition is the best. The ability to tune on the fly as well as a security lockout is great. Downside is the price.
Next affordable option is the svda pertronix. It not only does away with points, but gives you the added vacuum for just off idle adv to smooth the acceleration. |
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