electronic ignition

that looks like the SimonBBC set up, which has had good reviews here. The critical comment in the add is about the locating pin for the points. Early P6B distributors don't have this, later ones do. The early ones have a triangular base plate, later ones a complete disc. Tor had this difficulty and had to return his SimonBBC kit.

Chris
 
i have fitted this system to my 75 v8s,its made the car alot more responsive smoother,thats money well spent in my opinoin,alot better than points and condensor Bri :D
 
Just a question really, but does electronic ignition really improve things? I have had many cars with points and condenser over the years and have never had any problems. I do believe that the cars seem to run better once the electronic ignition is fitted, but they also run better with new points, condenser and a good tune up. When these components are getting a little tired, fitting an electronic ignition system is bound to make things better, but is it really better or just 'correct' and back to what it would feel like if new standard components were fitted?

Also, I have read many articles in classic car magazines about electronic ignition systems failing as well which has always put me off!
 
It's better in the sense that you never have to faff around with the points ever again. It will also compensate for a lot of distributor wear that would normally result in timing scatter and the timing should stay exactly where you put it. It also gives you the option of using a higher output coil that would otherwise burn the points. It's biggest advantage as far as I'm concerned is reliability and elimination of constant maintenance.
Yes, electronic ign systems can fail but so can points and condenser. (Especially condensers these days)
When I bought my red TC 3 years ago, I gave it a good tune up, fitted new points, condenser, plugs etc and about 2 weeks later, it failed to start. It turned out to be a bit of dirt in the points but I fitted an old Lumenition system that I had and she has never failed to proceed since.
As far as reliability goes, that Lumenition system came in a parts car I bought 15 years ago. It was well used when I got it. It was fitted into my partners TC for several years before that car died, swapped it into another TC I had for a couple of years then fitted it to the red car 3 years ago. Never done any maintenance or upkeep on it. Still works perfectly.
I fitted a SimonBBC system to the V8 about a month ago and I would be surprised if I don't get similar service.
 
I think there are quite a few significant benefits to fitting electronic ignition. First up is the reliability issue. Condensors seem to be having a really bad run of quality lately and getting rid altogether is therefore attractive. Next up is being able to set the timing up properly. I would contend this is only really possible on a rolling road. Whilst you can get somewhere near with staic timing and a little closer with a strobe, you really need to be able to see CO and power output variation in order to judge that it is spot on. You'd be surprised how innacurate timing marks can be! Finally there is the issue of HT voltage at the plugs. The V8 is particularely sensitive to this - which is why Magnecor plug leads are so essential to make one run right. With electronic you can boost the coil output without risk of destroying the points, getting you one step closer to a completely misfire free V8!

Oh and of course you've eliminated an irritating maintenance task.

Chris
 
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