14 replies to this topic

[TEM]

I have a stock 998. I hear theres an electronic device to replace the points in the distributor. What do I need? Is it easy to install? Whats it like compared to the points?

[Guess-Works.com]

you want either the luminition or Petronix Ignitor... basically perform the same function as the points, the ignitor being favoured by classic restorers as it sits entirely within the dizzy cap, whereas others have an external unit.

http://www.minispare...s...;ty=fi&rt=1

[Dan]

The Lumenition Magnetronic also fits entirely inside the distributor. There isn't much to choose between the two. The Pertronix/Aldon Ignitor can be run directly from a ballasted ignition supply whereas the Lumenition needs a 12v feed which will have to be added if your car is ballasted. Of course running the Pertronix unit off the ballast supply will change the supply voltage in the ballast circuit as it changes the system resistance and for that reason I would always create a dedicated supply for either unit. I only have experience of the Lumenition unit myself and it does work very well. Both are very simple to fit and if they are fitted properly work very well and reliably run without attention seemingly endlessly. Problems arise with the units if they are fitted without an understanding of what is going on in the system.

You cannot use a Sports Coil with the Lumenition unit while the Pertronix/Aldon unit can be used with an Aldon brand upgraded coil designed for this purpose but still not the Lucas Sports Coil, although you really don't need to anyway. The spark energy generated by an electronic ignition system is much higher than that of a contact breaker system even using a standard coil.

Lumenition Magnetronic from Mini Spares

[dklawson]

Minor point to the above.

Yes, Pertronix/Ignitor can be used with ballasted ignition... however, it still needs a full 12V supply. If you have a ballasted ignition system you cannot connect the Pertronix "red" wire to the coil (+) for power, you'll need a separate switched supply as Dan mentioned.

[TEM]

Thanks for the replies. But they seem to be kind of too technical. Whats the easiest to install unit that works decent? I have the stock coil. I saw a sports one but don't intend to get it until mine needs replacing. Whats the benefit of going to an uprated coil?

[Dan]

Yes, Pertronix/Ignitor can be used with ballasted ignition... however, it still needs a full 12V supply.

No, the Ignitor module safely uses any supply voltage between 6 and 16 volts. The Magnetronic is much more fussy and requires 12 to 14v. However as I said I would always give the unit a dedicated supply.

Maybe there really is a difference between the Aldon and Pertronix versions in this respect.


Both of these units are the least technical, simplest to install electronic ignition systems available. You really do just fit them in place of the points, connect up the wires and then completely forget they exist.

A Sports Coil gives an increase in spark energy when using conventional contact breaker ignition. Essentially it is a better made, higher grade transformer than the standard coil. They are not needed if you choose to fit electronic ignition as I said above. Points ignition generally supplies around 25,000 volts so people fit a Sports Coil to bring it up to around 32,000v. Electronic ignition can easily supply 35,000 volt sparks from a standard coil which is plenty hot enough.

[1984mini25]

Or if you don’t want to go fiddling around with your old dizzy, you can do like I’ve just done and get hold of metro (one of the few good bits from them) electronic dizzy and electronic coil. Both of which drop right in with a 12v feed going to the coil and two more wires that plug onto the positive and negative poles of the coil to the module on the dizzy.
Then it’s just a case of setting the timing and away you go, never to be messed with again, well only to replace the cap and rotor arm when they need it.

[Dan]

Doesn't work well out of the box with a 998, certainly not as well as an electronic module in the original dizzy will. Especially since the Magnetronic module is basically the same module as the 9EM unit in the 64DM4 dizzy. The advance curve in the 1275 dizzy is very different from the 998 type. The 64DM4 can have its advance curve adapted if you like and that is what I have in my 998 but for a less technical, simple system I'd go for one of the above modules.

[1984mini25]

Well it seams to be working ok on mine, although I did only have the rather rubbish ducellier one to compare it to (which eventually court fire), so anything would have been an improvement. Lol

[Dan]

(which eventually court fire)

Gotta love French parts! Distributor on fire!

It will work, it just won't be in tune for the whole range of the engine.

[dklawson]

Dan, I don't wish to argue with you about Pertronix voltage requirements. Please see the installation instruction link below.

See the manual at:
http://www.pertronix...nitor12vneg.pdf
particularly the second and third questions on sheet 2 regarding low voltage operation and the schematics for connection when using a ballasted ignition system.

I have a few U.S. acquaintances who have had problems with Pertonix only to learn after contacting Tech Support that they needed to supply the Ignitor module with a full +12V.

[Dan]

Here's Aldon's page:

http://www.aldonauto.co.uk/

Follow the links to the Ignitor (it's one of those incredibly annoying websites that doesn't have individually addressed pages to link to) and it shows the unit spec and lists 6 to 16 volts.

It seems there is a difference between the Aldon and Pertronix versions of the unit afer all. As I said though I would always supply it directly because it will upset the voltage in the ballast circuit if it is fitted to the ballast.

I also notice from that sheet that Pertronix are quite specific that it needs a conventional coil. Aldon say that it can be used with their own upgraded coils.

Edited by Dan, 02 May 2007 - 09:29 AM.

[dklawson]

You can use the Pertronix Ignitor with performance coils if you're careful. (Of course, they promote their own line of "Flamethrower" coils for use with the Ignitor). One of my Canadian Mini owner friends has had lengthy telephone conversations with their tech support group to learn what the current limits are. He's now running a high-performance, lower-resistance coil just within the limits of what they said he could get away with. Prior to contacting Pertronix he'd burnt out one or two Ignitors that he thought would be OK with his choice of coils.

[TEM]

You can use the Pertronix Ignitor with performance coils if you're careful. (Of course, they promote their own line of "Flamethrower" coils for use with the Ignitor). One of my Canadian Mini owner friends has had lengthy telephone conversations with their tech support group to learn what the current limits are. He's now running a high-performance, lower-resistance coil just within the limits of what they said he could get away with. Prior to contacting Pertronix he'd burnt out one or two Ignitors that he thought would be OK with his choice of coils.

Are you in Canada too? Where abouts?

[dklawson]

Sorry if that was misleading. I'm not in Canada but I have Mini owning friends there. I'm in North Carolina.