Should I convert to electronic ignition?

[BMWChris]

Hello,

I have a Midget 1500 competition car. The previos owner used it for sprints and hillclimbs (as I do, as well as rallies, autotests etc). The engine is fitted with a 4 branch manifold, intake trumpets and sock airfilters and came with a printout showing 75 bhp at the wheels (very impressive!) It is currently fitted with points. Apparently a lot of the (top end) power was gained by winding the timing right forwards. The car currently pinks in part throttle, mid range gentle driving.

Coming back from an event yesterday it felt a little "flat" and seemed slow. I wonder if I should change to electronic ignition and get it re-set up on a rolling road.

Am I likely to gain / lose power?

What does it cost?

Any recomended brands?

Will it fix the pinking?

Thanks

Chris

[chard]

I've fitted a 123 kit. The benefit is you can set different advance curves (choice of 16) so you should be able to get max advance where you need it but not quite as viscious on the midrange.

An expensive but well engineered bit of kit.

Perhaps you could back off the ignition for road use? the lucus 25d distributor has a vernier adjustment to make life easier and more accurate.

[taznuv]

Have a look at the megajolt system, this has the option of map sensor or throttle sensor, and will let you program in whatever curve you like, rather than choosing from presets.

[BMWChris]

Thanks guys, will look into them.

Do you set them up by tiral and erorr on rolling road or is there more science?

[chard]

Try these guys for a rolling-road set up trial and error is ok but this is more scientific

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/peterburgess/

Chard

Edited by chard on Wednesday 26th August 07:04

[eccles]

I've used the Lumenition optronic system for years in Mini engines. It's a true fit and forget system, and hasn't let me down once.

[Paul S4]

A few friends have had problems with Lumenition electronic ignition systems on Lotus twincams. An alternative would be Aldon, for about £80 (?) Also a standard rev counter may need modification to run properly.

[Church of Noise]

chard said:

Try these guys for a rolling-road set up trial and error is ok but this is more scientific

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/peterburgess/

Chard

Edited by chard on Wednesday 26th August 07:04

Paul S4 said:

A few friends have had problems with Lumenition electronic ignition systems on Lotus twincams. An alternative would be Aldon, for about £80 (?) Also a standard rev counter may need modification to run properly.

I agree with these gents. My modified MGB uses a modified Aldon dizzy with the Aldon electronic ignition, which works very well!
The final setup was performed by Peter Burgess (along with the modification of the crossflow head), and I can't recommend him enough.

[Buffalo]

If you're talking about replacing the points i wouldn't bother unless you are revving over 5500rpm and start bouncing them; just make sure your dizzy is in good shape. IIRC the 25D was always better than the 45D (this is for Bs I am not sure if they are used on spridgets too..?) If you want to go fully electronic, read this:

http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/upgrades4mgs/Elect...

Not for profit webpage run by a good friend of mine who is only too happy to give further advice by email. He runs EDIS on his stage 2 tuned BGT and it one of the best B series engines i have ever experienced. Incredibly smooth and eager to rev.

[BMWChris]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Original post was because car had gone "off the boil" and I thought if I was going to get it re-tuned it might be a good idea to fit electronic ignition as a new set of points. However, I've stuck my head under the bonnet and made a few changes which could possible cause the lack of sparkle.

I cleaned the air filters (last event was sooo dusty we had to run with the roof up and windows closed to stop dust getting it in our mouths!)

One of the chokes had stuck slightly open.

In a brief test it seemed much better. Have event tom so will see.