locost7018 Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 I have a Ford 1300cc xflow with a points ignition and a FoMoCo dizzy that I want to put electronic ignition in this winter. Any suggestion on brand and a cheap place to purchase said device in the States. Russ ps: the 1300cc uses the same ignition parts as the 1600cc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Check out the MegaJolt systems. Will require installing a trigger wheel and sensor, coil pack instead of dizzy. Sounds a lot but apparently not to bad a conversion. And you would then have a programmable ignition system. This is one of my Winter projects also..I already have the Ford EDIS system on my car, so just requires the Megajolt pack and some wiring, I will also go for a manifold pressure sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 My X-Flow uses a Petronix distributor. It has been very reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted October 25, 2010 Author Share Posted October 25, 2010 lancylad, Can you have Megajolt set up for one type of motor (Ford) and down the road put it on another motor (Suzuki GTi)? Is Megajolt sold in the USA? I know would need a new trigger wheel. Kitcat, Pegasus has that Petronix but is anybody else cheaper? Tks Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Locost-My car came with the Petronix. Chris T at Sevens and Elans, who has built more Caterhams than anyone in the US (tho that probably isn't saying much), always uses them in his builds. I think it's a pure plug/play. Cost? Don't know. Since my used Caterham came with it, I never had to price one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Hi Russ My understanding is that you can switch from one to the other as long as they have the same number of cylinders. Vehicles that is..the system is based on the ford EDIS system so you would have to install that on the 2nd vehicle. I bought mine in the U.S at http://www.autosportlabs.com/ They will be able to inform you much better than I can, I will be installing mine over this next few weeks(hopefully) I will do an update to let you all know how well or badly I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Russ - I realize this isn't US based or cheap, but though I'd post anyway for general informational purposes. UK source for trigger wheels, etc., including complete kits. http://trigger-wheels.com/store/index.html Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 My X-Flow uses a Petronix distributor. It has been very reliable. Just don't leave the ignition on for more than a couple of minutes. This tends to burn them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted October 27, 2010 Author Share Posted October 27, 2010 Thanks Dingo that is good to know. I ordered the Petronix unit from BAT today. Good bye points!!!! Thanks guys, Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 Dingo: I recently left my ignition on so long the battery ran down and had to be recharged (I turned it on to have steering so I cld push the car a few feet, then forgot all abt the ignition). But no resulting problems with the Petronix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 Looks like you lucked out. It seems to be a pretty common problem for the petronix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 I just installed a Petronix electronic ignition in my 1300cc xflow that is in my Locost. I have been having problems with rough running, back firing, and marginal performance. All of which I blamed on my Holley 2V carb. I went out to test drive it after timing it and all I can say is………………………… OMG!!!!! What a difference it has made. I have a bad feeling I might be getting a speeding ticket the way it is running. I’ll know more tomorrow after going for a longer blat. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Locost7018 Can you walk me thru the major steps of the install process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted April 25, 2011 Author Share Posted April 25, 2011 It was not a big deal. Just pull out the old points and condenser and install the new module. Gap the module and magnetic sleeve at .030 with a plastic feeler gauge. Put cap on and then time the engine. PM me with an email address and I'll email you the inst. sheet that came with mine. If I can do it anybody can. I'm kind of skiddish about making engine mod's. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Finally got the Megajolt installed and same kind of experience as Russ, OMG what a difference. Smooth idle much better pick up off the line, no backfiring. Really pleased. Glad your Petronix worked out Russ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I'm trying to determine if I already have an electronic ignition system Does anyone have a similar set up to mine? There is an aluminium Lucas branded box mounted to the firewall. I'd like to get my ignition properly set and tuned for the best advance curve, but before I do that I'm wondering if I should be purchasing an improved ignition system. I'm getting a fair bit of misfire and popping on part throttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 twobone: check your distributor type - I'm guessing you have an Aldon. Aldon's can be sent back the UK for recalibration. Caterham chose a strange advance curve. Roger King recommends: 14' advance at idle (900rpm) advance starts ramp up by 1000rpm 34' advnace achieved by 4500rpm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 OK, Well for this season, I will set it at 14 degrees (myself or ask my mechanic to do so). If it works OK, then over the winter I will send the Dizzy out to be optimized for next season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 I checked the timing quickly tonight. USed the pulley mark for TDC. Will have to double check that reading. The timing seems really high....close to 15+ degrees at idle. What kinds of symptoms come from excessive advance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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