Electronic Ignitions

[GB1]

any intput on electronic ignitions on a positive ground vehicle.

looking for some very reliabe and not to obtrusive.

thanks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[dklawson]

Presumably you're looking for one to fit a Spridget with a 23D4 or 25D4 Lucas distributor since you still have positive ground. Pertronix does make a positive ground model for those distributors. I know Mini Mania sells it but you will probably get a better price from Retro Rockets (online). Since you're looking for positive ground, reliable, and unobtrusive, Pertronix is probably your best bet.

EDIT:
LU142/POS $99.95 @ minimania.com
LU-142AP12 $81.55 (25D4) & LU-148P12 $93.70 (23D4) @
https://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/mg.htm
I don't know why they show two different ones for the 23D4 and 25D4... they shouldn't be different.

 

[GB1]

Thanks,

RR did have a better price.

 

[jollyroger]

A word of warning to the electronic ignition buffs. Do not use a high voltage coil. 20 to 30 thousand volts is all you need. If you use a high volt coil you will blow an arc through the rotor to ground on the distrubutor shaft unless you use a high quality high clay content rotor.(even that is no guarantee.
The stock units were designed for stock stuff.
When this happens it usually takes out the pertronix unit too. The signs that this has happened is the car will miss-fire and spudder about. You can look inside the rotor where it fits over the distributor shaft and see a little melted spot in the bottom corner somewhere. Look close it will look like a little bubble of melted plastic.
I see it all the time at the races. Carry a spare pertronix unit.

 

[jcatnite]

Wow Jolly thanks, I had always heard that you needed a hot coil if you swapped over to the pertronix. Good advice man. Stick with the stock coil...12v or 6v? any preference???
JC

 

[msoylemez]

Rivergate Restorations added a Crane Fire Ball electronic ignition system when they rebuilt my 1275, and I then went out and bought the Crane Fire Ball coil (the one in the Moss catalog)...

I have yet to install the engine...but is this the wrong set up jollyroger?

Thanks.

 

[GB1]

Jolly:

Is a Lucas Sport Coil to powerful?

Thanks.

 

[dklawson]

I doubt the Sports Coil is too much. However, start with a standard coil and replace it later if you want to. Don't change too many things at once.

I currently run a Hitachi distributor in my 1275 and I carry a spare ignition module just in case. When I ran the Lucas dizzy with Pertronix I carried a new set of points and a condenser with me... also just in case. You don't have to have a second Pertronix unit, just carry the old standard parts for backup. It's such an easy swap you can replace the parts by the side of the road IF it's necessary.

 

[jlaird]

Anyone have a link for this item?

 

[jollyroger]

I see a number of guys using the sports coil. I guess they are ok. I don't know the output. As far as the crane stuff, make sure you use a good rotor. Maybe one of those bosch units.
Most fancy coil guys don't want ya ta know you don't need a zillion volts. If anything a longer spark is much more important than massive voltage.

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

I second that. If it jumps the air gap of the plug reliably, it's about as good as it gets.

 

[GB1]

Thanks all!

I will carry the original as a spare.

 

[GB1]

Anyone try running the second strikes ignition?

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

Nah, although it might make more power.

 

[GB1]

thought about it in my Mini when the warranty expired. Not in my BE

txs.