14 replies to this topic

[mike.]

Wasn't sure if i should post this in tech - move as appropriate.

Basically i like the sounds of electronic ignition - Better reliability.

My minis been having a few probs with misfiring and the like due to the damp so was thinking about fitting electronic ignition. Firstly can somebody explain what electric ignition does? How much of the distributor does it replace - i.e. points? rotor arm?

Secondly what sort of advantages are there with it over standard ignition - i've researched it abit but most sites have basic info and only seem to mention about much higher voltage spark - but what advantage does this give me in real life terms. Also websites seem to mention an increase in BHP - I assume this is only on high performance engines that were being held back by the standard ignition system?

Finally what sort of kits are availible? I've found the aldon ignitor kits and thats about it - i'd like to know what other options there are. Is there a brand i should stick too. Also Aldon seem to offer the flamethrower coil along side this kit - I've just fitted a brand new sports coil and don't want to replace that so soon - are the electronic ignition kits compatible with sports coils?

Are the gains worth the cash?

Thanks

[zomerzet]

I've got electronic ignition as fitted to the metros as standard. These basically replace the points with an induction triggered item giving a more accurately timed spark. It means that there are no parts that come into contact for triggering the spark so there's no wear making the timing deteriorate over time. I've driven my mini through driving rain and it hasn't missed a beat, although whether this was helped by the metro dizzy I'm not sure!

The metro item has been great for me, so whether its worth the extra money for posh ones I can't say...

[miniturbonutter]

Yes the Metro distributors work very well, it is just a straight forward swap, plus a wire to each side of the coil. No more hassle with points and condensor, and being left on the side of the road when they burn out lol.
Usually able to find them on ebay cheap enough!!

[WiredbyWilson]

what is the general opinion on the luminition type kits as i have a red top dizzy that has points atm becuase i need to run 26 degrees advance for my weber - and i think the kits are about £70

[Dan]

A higher voltage spark means a hotter spark, that means it ignites the fuel more easily. A higher voltage spark jumps the plug gap more easily meaning more tolerance for changes in the gap, you won't be regapping your plugs anywhere near as much. You'll probably gap them once when you fit them and then leave them alone until you replace them. The spark is more accurately controlled and created than with points giving you more accurate timing. There are no wearing parts meaning the dizzy will essentially never wear out and the timing won't need your attention again, pretty much ever.

Distributor electronic ignition replaces the points and condensor, the remains of the distributor are left in place and are still resposible for ignition timing and spark distribution. The advantage of this over swapping to the Metro dizzy is that you retain the ignition curve your car was designed with, this is particularly important in a 998 which has a markedly different curve from the 1275 which the Metro dizzy was created for.

There are many different types of systems, Aldon (Pertronix) and Lumenition are the leading producers. They make full performance systems with seperate external computers that use triggering devices which fit into the dizzy and they make more modern compact systems that fit entirely within the distributor cap. These are the better option as external control units and some types of trigger can still be affected by damp, the internal units are all potted up so they are waterproof. The Lumenition Magnetronic unit actually uses the electronic package from the Metro dizzy, remade and built into a unit designed to fit other diztirbutor bodies. The Pertronix unit it their own design.

Neither internal system is compatible with the sports coil you have just fitted. Some of the external controller types may be. Your coil and the module of an incompatible system will destroy each other very quickly. They are all designed to replace standard equipment and work with standard coils or their own brand of Sports coil, but these are not needed. The Sports type coils won't give you a significantly fatter spark than the electronic ignition can when used with a standard coil. The spark voltage from a standard coil is several thousand volts higher with electronic ignition anyway.

How easy they are to fit depends on whether or not you are using ballasted ignition but even if you are it's just one extra wire to add. The internal systems fit really easily, it's much less than an hour's work normally.

[WiredbyWilson]

A higher voltage spark means a hotter spark, that means it ignites the fuel more easily. A higher voltage spark jumps the plug gap more easily meaning more tolerance for changes in the gap, you won't be regapping your plugs anywhere near as much. You'll probably gap them once when you fit them and then leave them alone until you replace them. The spark is more accurately controlled and created than with points giving you more accurate timing. There are no wearing parts meaning the dizzy will essentially never wear out and the timing won't need your attention again, pretty much ever.

Distributor electronic ignition replaces the points and condensor, the remains of the distributor are left in place and are still resposible for ignition timing and spark distribution. The advantage of this over swapping to the Metro dizzy is that you retain the ignition curve your car was designed with, this is particularly important in a 998 which has a markedly different curve from the 1275 which the Metro dizzy was created for.

There are many different types of systems, Aldon (Pertronix) and Lumenition are the leading producers. They make full performance systems with seperate external computers that use triggering devices which fit into the dizzy and they make more modern compact systems that fit entirely within the distributor cap. These are the better option as external control units and some types of trigger can still be affected by damp, the internal units are all potted up so they are waterproof. The Lumenition Magnetronic unit actually uses the electronic package from the Metro dizzy, remade and built into a unit designed to fit other diztirbutor bodies. The Pertronix unit it their own design.

Neither internal system is compatible with the sports coil you have just fitted. Some of the external controller types may be. Your coil and the module of an incompatible system will destroy each other very quickly. They are all designed to replace standard equipment and work with standard coils or their own brand of Sports coil, but these are not needed. The Sports type coils won't give you a significantly fatter spark than the electronic ignition can when used with a standard coil. The spark voltage from a standard coil is several thousand volts higher with electronic ignition anyway.

How easy they are to fit depends on whether or not you are using ballasted ignition but even if you are it's just one extra wire to add. The internal systems fit really easily, it's much less than an hour's work normally.

So i cant use luminition or similar on my aldon red top then - is that what you are saying?

[mike.]

Right thanks dan - thats cleared up most things.

I reckon i'll go for the aldon kit. Any idea on best place to buy them?

Minispares don't seem to do them and Minisports website is so C**p nowadays i can't tell if i'd be buying an electronic kit or a whole new distributor! http://www.minisport...on_Ignitor.html

Also on ebay how do i know what'll fit my mini? Which distributor will i have?
http://search.ebay.c...l...op=1&fsoo=1

Edited by minimadmike, 17 December 2007 - 05:37 PM.

[mike.]

Bump - Where should i buy from?

[fishey798]

Buy direct from aldon if you want there product, they were very helpfull when i spoke to them. Aldon Automotive

[Boyee]

I'll be looking at doing this also.

So can you adjust the curve on the Aldons? I know the 123 systems you can but is it possible on other types?

[Ethel]

The advance is taken care of by the centrifugal weights 'n springs just as with a points equipped dizzy. I'd say it's worth retaining vacuum advance for a road car. The Lucas electronic dizzy's are based on the same unit as the points dizzy's so you should be able to build up a dizzy to suit your needs if you pick up a 2nd hand one cheaply.

[baker_boy]

im also plannin on this but i have a 1098 with a deuicellar?? ignition. iv bin told i cant use the average electronic ingition because its also an a series not an a+ what can i use then? was also contemplatin usin the 123 kit. anybody have any info on that?

p.s sorry for the hi-jack

[Ethel]

I'm pretty sure you can fit an aldon kit to a pre A+ dizzy. Are you sure it's a Ducellier? I didn't think they were used on pre A+
Ducellier points come in 2 pieces and the condenser is screwed to the outside.

[baker_boy]

i am 10000% sure. iv just had to buy a new set of points and condenser. i accidentlybought the lucas setup and there as no chance in hell that it was gonna fit. so aldon would be ok to use then? anybody used/using the 123 ignition system?

[Ethel]

You could use any pre A+ dizzy but Aldon only make electronic conversion kits for Lucas ones.

There was a thread where someone mentioned they'd found an electronic ducellier setup