Electronic Ignition.. Yes or No!

[terence]

As a guideline Chris,"If fitted in period" seem's to cover most aspects,perhaps if Jeremy is watching this space, he will enlighten us.?

[John Turner]

If other non original equipment dizzies are allowed, I see even less cause for discussion regarding electronic ignition, which would surely be a cheaper alternative than having to adapt a different type/brand of dizzy.

[terence]

But that was the whole point John,to see if it should be allowed see-ing that it IS being widely used anyway. Part of the level playing field conundrum you might say.The other point is that how is it slipping through scrutineers check's.?

[John Turner]

Sorry, Terence, perhaps I should have used the word 'dissension' rather than discussion - I know what I mean, anyway!

[terence]

I graciously accept your un-needed apology John.

[esper]

Terry I am now waiting weeks for you to explain that your rubber bumper Lucas special advance curves are really better than a digital motec with 20 sensors on throtlle, exhaust, manifold etc etc. The poll is going to the wrong side!

[terence]

I only fit the Lucas Dizzy for scrutineering,then the Motec goes back in!

[John Turner]

[terence]

I just hope that Jeremy dosn't read it,he'll start looking behind the dash for the ecu[The usual place for hiding these things]

[Peter Mallett]

I voted yes. Mainly because I can't see any point in trekking 300 miles or whatever to a meeting, paying serious dosh to enter then getting 25% of my tracktime due to some misguided concept of originality.

Also I can run it in my Capri. Also that proved at Spa that it also breaks down.

[terence]

I get the feeling that it's only Spa that cause's this anomoly's.I'll get the Motec re-programed for this year Peter.

[JFW]

I find this issue most confusing,

I take most of my advice from my Sole engine supplier who tells me he is 'unable to source reliable small ingition components' to provide me with the reliability I would expect from his product.

One of the series organiser's scruts tells me he can source them 'without difficulty, but doesnt want to get involved in that side of things'......


Great help - thanks folks.....


I am also advised Lumenition was around in the mid sixties and was shown on Tommorow's World in 1967 ?? although I have been unable to verify this.

I agree entirely with Peter Mallett, I am fed up with driving heroic distances, paying even more heroic race enty fees and completing 3 laps, because of a £ 25 [700 euros] component. Over which I have no ability to quality control.

Bah humbug, J



PS one of the Mods is away, so we may be able to slip a few things past them.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by JFW

I am also advised Lumenition was around in the mid sixties and was shown on Tomorrow's World in 1967 ?? although I have been unable to verify this.

Yes it was around at that time but was not too reliable. I have been in various motorsport genre over the years from 1968/9 and in fact always used contactless ignition systems .

Originally Posted by JFW

because of a £ 25 [700 euros] component.

I wish I could get that rate in Spain !

[terence]

Originally Posted by JFW

I find this issue most confusing,

I take most of my advice from my Sole engine supplier who tells me he is 'unable to source reliable small ingition components' to provide me with the reliability I would expect from his product.

One of the series organiser's scruts tells me he can source them 'without difficulty, but doesnt want to get involved in that side of things'......

Great help - thanks folks.....

I am also advised Lumenition was around in the mid sixties and was shown on Tommorow's World in 1967 ?? although I have been unable to verify this.

I agree entirely with Peter Mallett, I am fed up with driving heroic distances, paying even more heroic race enty fees and completing 3 laps, because of a £ 25 [700 euros] component. Over which I have no ability to quality control.

Bah humbug, J

There again, there is a problem, 1967 would be considered as out of period, but as Gordon say's, those units were probably worse than points anyway. But when you consider the cost's/distances involved, it would make sense to be running Electronic.

[FastDB2s]

don't know about the reliability of the early lumenition (any that i have been involved with in the last few years need constant replacement of the amplifier & the trigger unit is not that much better) but the mobelec system fitted to my MK1 Cooper S was fitted around 1968 (i think - it was sprinted then by Taylors of Shipston on Stour) it's the type that picks up from the points cam on the dizzy.
it has been on the car from then, i bought it in 1982 & until now (although the car hasn't been used since 1999) it has survived Irish roads, Uk hillclimbs & sprints, etc. without missing a beat.
it just has an appetite for tacho's. (5 fitted to when last used)

[zefarelly]

I've just collected three new Lucus 45D non vac distributors, fitted with new points, some spare points too, points made in England, with heavy duty springs, I've been running the very same for 5 years now with no problems. the pivot point is where they wear, if they're burning out its for a different reason that I can't remember, thats why I have a distributor man!

Yes I do fit electronic and lumenition etc to road cars and/or where appropriate, I still think the reliability is down to general prep and inspection.

you check your oil and water and tyres pressures, you should check your points as well.

[terence]

Yeah but! What if they are BRAND NEW and wires break!!!!

[esper]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Yeah but! What if they are BRAND NEW and wires break!!!!

old chinese ladies cant handle british designed wires. you should now that.

[terence]

Originally Posted by esper

old chinese ladies cant handle british designed wires. you should now that.

[Tim Falce]

I've just fitted one of these new all singing and dancing 123 Ignition distributors. It's not been tested yet but I'll report back on it soon so long as this thread isn't closed in the mean time.

[terence]

I'm hoping to hear some news on another developement in the next day or two,this is using up-graded points etc,all totally legal but superior in design,watch this space.

[esper]

Originally Posted by terence bower

I'm hoping to hear some news on another developement in the next day or two,this is using up-graded points etc,all totally legal but superior in design,watch this space.

MOTEC

[zefarelly]

I'm dynoing my engine with points, and something similar with a 123 in the next month or so as well, it'll be interesting to see the if any difference, most noticable I'd imagine, in the crispness of acceleration and smoother high revs.

If I had a 123 or something electronic to play with myself I'd do a back to back test, something I intend to do in due course so I can get the curve set as near as theoretically perfect as possible

the original question is simply answered with a yes, for all the obvious reasons, with the exception of period correct specifications where it wasn't an option, on the whole pre '66

[terence]

I would have thought that perhaps a pick-up of about two bhp,but the difference will be as you say Zef,the engine will be smoother.I go along with you on "Period Correct",just hoping this new thing works out as intended!.

[Peter Mallett]

I can only think of one vehicle I've raced in the last 15 odd years that has run points. And it broke twice at Spa last year. The post referencing the use of points as a back up is all well and good but it relies on the problems occurring in practice which is reaklly an absurdity. If you break down in a race that's it, goodnight Vienna.

We want to race old cars without the old cars problem. Can't see the issue really.