Electronic Ignition

Ian_fegan

Ian_fegan

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I presume most people switch to electronic ignition? Seems a no brainier to me... Any particular kits preferred by forum members?
 
Ian:

Here in the States, many people use the Pertronix system. La Jolla Independent sells them and knows what model fits which type of distributor. See: http://www.bimmerdoc.com/parts-finder/bmw/pertronix-electronic-ignition-kit/

The La Jolla Independent website has a nice "how to" that explains which Pertronix unit is correct for your distributor. See: http://www.bimmerdoc.com/distributor-decipherer/ It may be simpler to source your Pertronix from Europe, but that page will tell you whether you need p/n 1867 or 1868.
 
While I don't have one yet, I've heard nothing but good things about the 123 Ignition system from NL.
However, the kudo's I've heard are mainly from guys who have modified engines and wanted the tunability of the 123 system to optimize advance (either because they didn't have vac takeoffs anymore or they wanted a diff advance curve to suit a sport camshaft profile).
 
bfeng said:
I've heard nothing but good things about the 123 Ignition system
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Good point. The 123 is a whole new distributor with electronic advance. It is far more sophisticated that just replacing the points in your existing distributor with a Pertronix, since your existing distributor still relies on old-fashioned spring & weight advance and may have worn bushings. 123 Ignition is about 4X as much as a Pertronix, but it does get you more hardware and more sophistication.
 
I have a switchable 123 distributor since I have D-Jet. Only need one setting, no messing with curves, keeps it simple. My old distributor was tired, being 43 years old at the time and caused some running/ignition issues that all went away with the 123. My car hated the Pertronix, it would randomly stall and did not run well, switched to points and the car ran well for 10K miles before they needed to be replaced.
 
climbernyc said:
So you use pertronix points with the 123?
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Hmm, we may have confused you.

A Pertronix is a small unit that goes in your existing distributor and replaces the points with an electronic sensor . Its electronics enable it to produce a hotter spark than conventional points. And of course, being non-mechanical, they last a long time.

A 123 Ignition is a complete distributor. It comes with its own electronic triggering mechanism, so there is no need to add a Pertronix. The 123 also has computer-controlled advance, as opposed to mechanical advance.

Did that help clarify things?

adawil2002 said:
My car hated the Pertronix, it would randomly stall and did not run well
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Can't explain that. Pertronix need to be combined with coils that have a specific resistance. I wonder if your's was paired with an incompatible coil? Or if you just got a lemon. I have Pertronix triggers in two cars, and they have worked great for me.

I did have a bad experience with a cheaper product ("Hot Spot" or something) which would randomly stall and did not run well. So I guess that can happen.
 
My car wasn't running when I bought it and it was bad points. I replaced the points with a Pertronix and it runs reasonably well but the timing is still erratic. The parts to rebuild stock distributors are scarce now and so I bought a rebuilt one when I found it on eBay.
My car is about to undergo restoration, so I'll put the Petronix into the rebuilt unit when I reinstall the engine.
As our distributors wear out, we may have no choice but to go with new units like the 123.
One forum member had his distributor sliced in two by loose components spinning around at engine speed that eventually cut his distributor body apart.
 
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adawil2002 said:
I have a switchable 123 distributor since I have D-Jet. Only need one setting, no messing with curves, keeps it simple. My old distributor was tired, being 43 years old at the time and caused some running/ignition issues that all went away with the 123. My car hated the Pertronix, it would randomly stall and did not run well, switched to points and the car ran well for 10K miles before they needed to be replaced.
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Yes, this ^^^. I've got the 123 with the D-Jet also and it's a no brainer. Ian, is yours a D-Jet or carbs?
 
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