Has anyone got a Winspeed (Guildford,UK) Electronic Ignition - Thinking of a purchase

[kevhillyer]

As per the title

I am looking to get electronic ignition fitted to my 1970 S2 2+2 which I have owned for just a few months.

I had planned to fit something myself but the old distributor will not come out - and as I am an engineering novice I have decided to pay a local professional.

Winspeed are not far away and they apparently use their own electronic ignition which comes as a replacement distributor.

As they apparently fit quite a few each year I thought I would seek any owner who has carried out this conversion with them - ideally for a recommendation or otherwise ! Before I start spending money

My plan would be for them to fit the new distributor and also tune/balance the carbs with the hope that I can then stay on top of more routine servicing.

From talking to them I understand the module does not incorporate a connection to the vacuum advance pipe. Apparently the electronics take care of that. That is something I am having trouble getting my head around as I thought vacuum advance was a sort of "load sense" varied by throttle. From what I have read elsewhere I understand some electronic ignition replacement distributors incorporate vacuum advance and some don't.

Appreciate any advice or insight please before I start spending money!!

Thank you

Kevin

[malcolm]

I've PM'd you. Read carefully.

[Tom W]

Some electronic distributors (the 123 with vac-option comes to mind) don’t have a vacuum capsule per se. They do have a port to connect the vacuum hose to though, it’s just connected to an electronic pressure/vacuum sensor.

Those with a vacuum capsule usually apply the vacuum advance mechanically, same as a conventional distributor.

If your car originally had vacuum advance, you should fit a distributor with a vacuum advance feature, or your fuel consumption will suffer.

The only other way I know I replacement ignition system can sense load besides vacuum is to use a throttle position sensor.

[kevhillyer]

Thanks for the replies Malcolm and Tom.

The car has vacuum advance connected to the original Lucas distributor - I understand what you say Tom and that makes sense to me. I was struggling to understand how a replacement with no vacuum input would work and so what I understand now is an electronic ignition distributor with a connection to the car vacuum system is likely to give better results.

[Tom W]

Yes, that’s right.

Next challenge is to make sure the advance curves (both vacuum and mechanical) match your original. Not every distributor that’s marketed for a Jag actually has an advance curve that matches properly. I’ve plotted the original curves in the manual against the 16 available in my 123Jag distributor and none matched. Something like the 123tune is best, then you can actually draw what you need. Start with the original specified curve then tweak slightly to improve from there as necessary.

[mgcjag]

Hi Kevin...befor you go any further mabee you can tell us a bit more about the spec of your car or photos of engine bay....is it a US import...what carbs and distributor do you have....this will affect your best way forward...plenty here willing to help you.....Steve

[malcolm]

Kevin, sent you another PM

[PeterCrespin]

Thanks for the replies Malcolm and Tom.

The car has vacuum advance connected to the original Lucas distributor .

Are you sure it’s not a vac retard on your 1970?

[malcolm]

I bow to your knowledge Peter, grovel even if necessary, but pretty sure that it would be an advance - virtually same year as mine which is advance. Mine is a '69 but registered '70.

[mgcjag]

Thats why i asked above what is the spec of the car...US import twin strombergs?

[kevhillyer]

Thanks for all the replies

As so often, a naive simple question leads to yet more questions - but I am happy to learn and appreciate all the help on offer.

The car was a UK spec car, manual gearbox, triple SU Carbs.

I understand it had an engine rebuild 10 years ago, and less than 10,000 miles ago by VSE and I believe it had re-profiled cams fitted and also was built to a compression ratio of 9.5:1

So far this is all I think I know !

Many thanks for taking time and sharing, very much appreciated.

[mgcjag]

I have just split this thread and moved all posts relating to Distributor curves ..see...Technical...Distributor curves...Steve