What kind of ignition system do I have on my Xflow?

[twobone]

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.

[Tango7]

Looks like the standard Caterham setup from late 80's for Xflow with a dizzy with a replacement electronic "eye" and chopper for the contact points system. It has been a long while since I have seen one!

[twobone]

Thanks...

So what do I do now that I know what I've got?

Can I improve the timing curve on it without having to do massive electrical surgery?

I get the sense I can't just add a Petronix kit or a new Aldon kit.

How do you properly set an improved advance curve with this system?

Advice greatly appreciated!

[Eugene7]

The advance curve on that setup is via the dizzy - mechanical. If it has a worn end-stop that can cause a problem... You either need to change for a better profile dizzy, or go to a mapped systems (I use Omex).

[twobone]

So best bet for this season would be to set it at 14 degrees at idle then and do an overhaul or replace in the winter?

[Dieter7S4]

Eugene recommended to me last week 10 degs BTDC at idle, seemed to work after I'd worked out that TDC wasn't necessarily corresponding to the mark on the block!!! I ended up timing at 8 degs on the mark on the block as No 1 piston was TDC from around 2 degs BTDC to 6 after.

If that makes sense

[Tango7]

Sorry Twobone, can't help with any more info than that as its been so long! Looks like you have some suggestions though

[davidball]

Confusing isnt it. My Xflow has two timing marks on the pulley, one white and one yellow! I set the idle to 1000 rpm and adjusted the dizzy until I got the fastest smoothest idle and left it at that. It seems to have worked.