Electronic Ignition

vaultsman

vaultsman

Well-Known Member
Hi,

Just been browsing various electronic systems for interest (and a wish list of course!)

Has anyone had any experience with these guys?

123 Ignition

Stan
 
Hi Stan,

I have to admit to not hearing of this manufacturer. I recently fitted the Aldon Ignitor system, with excellent results, and really easy to fit as well. It takes less than an hour, but does rely on your distributor being in reasonably good condition though.

There is another thread on here somewhere to do with electronic ignition conversions.
 
Hi Richard,

Yes, I've been looking at Aldon..which model did you go for? Their application list doesn't list the Lucas 41393 dizzy which (I think!) I've got..sure that's the number I've read off the body with a mirror and a fair bit of squinting!

Also I'm not sure what shape my advance mech is in..hmm..

What made you go for Aldon over Lumenition?

Cheers,

Stan
 
Hi Stan,

I went for the standard Ignitor system, and also ordered the high powered flame thrower coil at the same time, which is rated at 1.5ohms resistance. There is also the Ignitor 2, which is a bit more flash, and I think you can set the dwell angle, but if you read the description on their website, it's more suited to tuned/performance engines.
I went for the Aldon system as it was recommended by a few people that I had spoken to. I don't know much about the Lumenition magnetic pick up system, but the older optronic system with the control module that bolts to the inner wing, could give trouble.
The type of fitting for the Aldon system will depend on which distributor you have. There are 2 types, where the points either fit to a triangular shaped base plate, or a circular one. I found the guy's at Aldon very helpfull when I ordered mine.
The best way to check what kind of shape your mechanical advance is in is to firstly, check for excessive play in the shaft, and then if that's OK, you can check the advance curve with one of the more expensive timing lights, like the one made by Snap-On tools. The one I've used in the past has a dial on the back, with measurements in degrees. You turn the dial to however many degrees you want, and then align the top dead centre markings. For working out the advance curve you make sure that the static timing is correct, and then get an assistant to increase engine revs in say 500rpm intervals, and with each increase turn the dial until the top dead centre mark on the crank pulley lines up and then take the reading off the dial. It would probably pay to get someone who knows what they are doing to check this.
 
Hi Stan

In principle the 123 system sounds very good as it sweeps away the achiles heel of the old system which is the mechanical reliability and inflexibility of the advance retard mechanisms in your old distributor. This is highly desirable. Richard (webmaster) will no doubt encourage you to go for a distributor-less fully electronic set up, but for the less brave this sounds a good compromise. As JC says the obvious competitor for comparison is the Mallory electronic.

The Lumenition and Aldon systems discussed are a generation back down the development curve. If you want best results from them you ought to consider whether you should fit a fully recon distributor at the same time. Even then the results should be less satisfactory than the Mallory / 123 route.

Price comparison wise you should compare 123 / Mallory vs Aldon/ Lumenition PLUS the recon distributor.

The Mallory is well proven, I haven't heard of the 123 before - try talking to a few speciality V8 (as opposed to P6) tuners.

Chris
 
I have heard very good things about the 123 distributor from people in the US but these were fitted to A series engines.
The good thing with the 123 system is that you can easily switch your dizzy to work with 11 (or so...) different advance curves.
Very very useful if you did any sort of tuning in your engine and the standard advance curve is not good enough any more.

However, since these systems are built specifically for each engine, i have never heard anything about the Rover V8 engine.

Demetris
 
As Chris says, I would ultimately suggest replacing the whole lot, but I also agree that that isn't for everybody and many people like to keep a standard under-bonnet appearance. Never heard of the 123 system but it does look good, the only shame I can see is that you can't re-map the system yourself, a choice of xx maps is ok, but we all know that every single engine is slightly diferent, and the only way to get the absolute best is to map it on the car. Still it's going to be a heck of a lot better than old bob-weights, springs and worn out bearings. :)

I couldn't find any prices for these systems, I bet they're not cheap !!
 
Thanks for all the posts everyone!

I'm inclined to go for the Mallory: the Aldon/Pertronix Igniter/Flamethrower looks good but I'm sure at some point it'd entail a recon Lucas distributor anyway.

123 do now produce a model for the Rover V8 -

123 of RV8

..but trawling around I found I wouldn't get much change out of £400...ouch! Unless I could buy one in $ of course...hmm...

Also talked to Real Steel about the Mallory - here..

Real Steel

Just a point..they say the P6 ballast resistor should be bypassed and a new 12V ignition-switched feed installed via a Mallory resistor to the coil - what do you think?

Thanks again.
 
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