Electronic ignition upgrade

[Erikantwerp]

Hi all,

anybody had experience with Petronix ignitor (1,5 Ohm) , an electronic ignition that I want to use for my 1966 series one ?

many thx for any comments/suggestions etc.

cheers
Erik

[Heuer]

Erik

Pertronix seem to be favoured in the US but I have not heard of any UK owners using it. You need to be aware if you leave the ignition switched on, without the engine running, it could damage the Pertronix unit beyond repair - not good. The 123 distributor is popular but has mixed reviews due to the advance curve not fully matching the requirements of the XK engine. I use a Lumenition Magnetronic which has given excellent service in a Lucas Competition distributor for nine years. I use either a Bosch 'Blue' or Lucas Sports coil (still testing these). The most important thing is to make sure your original distributor is in good order with no wear. That particularly applies to the advance springs which are designed to match the XK engine. CMC sell a set of modified springs (out of the Lucas Competition distributor I think) and if you search your back issues of the E-Type magazine Andrew Turvey wrote an article on the subject which may help.

There is no magic to these systems other than they replace the moving contact breaker with a magnet - more reliable and one less maintenance job. I have never been convinced producing a larger or higher voltage spark makes any real difference to performance though. Let us know what you find and do.

[Moeregaard]

The Pertronix and Lumenition are popular on this side of the pond for those wishing to upgrade while maintaining a stock appearance. I can't comment on long-term reliability, as I don't have personal experience with either unit, but I haven't heard any complaints.

I do have considerable experience with the Mallory distributors, both dual-point units and the Unilite, which uses an optical pickup to replace the contact breaker. Both are bullet-proof in terms of reliability, but require messing with the advance springs to get the proper curve, and they definitely lack that stock appearance. The Unilite requires a ballast resistor to avoid cooking the optical trigger and is only suitable for cars with negative-ground electricals. It's also more expensive than the Pertronix.

[andyp]

Erik

I'm very pleased with my 123. You do need to get the Jaguar version to ensure you have a nice selection of advance curves.

My timing is absoluely stable at all speeds and I certainly noticed the difference as soon as I fitted it.

Andy

[harryetype]

Erik

I've just started to use the 123 as I have heard very good reviews on it form people who know their E's. I'm waiting to get the first car I've fitted it on dyno tested, I just wish I had carried out a dyno before and after. Maybe I'll do that on the next one and let know how I get on.

Cheers

[Erikantwerp]

Many thx guys,

this is really very useful stuff. I will report back once i have it installed and tried.

cheers
Erik

[Series 1]

Finally found a spare moment to fit 123 ignition to the car. I cannot believe the difference it has made! 800 miles to Le Mans and back last month and it wouldn't pull above 4000rpm and topped out at 104mph (someone had a GPS - my speedo was reading 118mph!). My average fuel consumption was 16mpg. Now it flies round to the red line - brilliant, the car's never gone anywhere near as well! Thanks for all the recommendation which I can now second to anyone else thinking about fitting one.

Two questions though if anyone can help:

I went for curve 6 (123 jag R-V-6 unit) on a standard 3.8 assuming my compression is 9:1. Seems fine but should I mess around with other settings? Haven't put a strobe on it yet.

Secondly, There were 2 wires on the old coil +ve terminal. One 12V from ignition switch. I couldn't fathom what the other was so left it hanging off and instead have red wire to distributor as per instructions. -ve terminal just has black wire, again to distributor. Can anyone help with the other wire? Everything is working ok.

Thanks!

Angus