Twin plug advice

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by Peterfrans

These 12 plug distributors do look very nice, but I am still thinking about the potential cost saving with the clewett setup. What would be the drawbacks, if any for using a crankfire ignition on a MFI engine?

Simply put "that Electramotive crap is uuuuugly"

[Shoepop]

[QUOTE=Henry Schmidt;5020933]Simply put "that Electramotive crap is uuuuugly"

But they suuuuuuuuuuuuure do work well

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

Simply put "that Electramotive crap is uuuuugly"

Originally Posted by Shoepop

But they suuuuuuuuuuuuure do work well

So does a one legged, toothless Ukrainian hooker. I just don't want to be seen with her.

In fact most people experienced with early MFI injections will tell you that a distributor will actually work better. I think I'm quoting Steve on this.

[Shoepop]

[QUOTE=Henry Schmidt;5021510]So does a one legged, toothless Ukrainian hooker. I just don't want to be seen with her.

Damn Henry, I know her ! :-)

[Peterfrans]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

In fact most people experienced with early MFI injections will tell you that a distributor will actually work better. I think I'm quoting Steve on this.

I seem to remember reading something like that, but could not find it anymore

[lindy 911]

OK, all prejudice aside; is there anything REALLY wrong with the Electromotive stuff other than aesthetics? Is there an advantage to running the distributor with carbs or is it strictly and MFI association? I havn't spent the money yet but I'm getting ready to and don't want to make a preventable mistake.

Lindy

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

So does a one legged, toothless Ukrainian hooker. I just don't want to be seen with her.

Originally Posted by Shoepop

Damn Henry, I know her ! :-)

Ok, that was you in the pictures. Did you ever consider shaving that harry butt of yours?

A few of the draw backs are carbon core wires, small plug gaps and Electromotive has a poor warranty reputation with me.
This is not a reflection on Clewett mind you, my issues occurred before Clewett repped for them.


The positives are obvious: accuracy and almost infinite adjustibilty.

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by lindy 911

OK, all prejudice aside; is there anything REALLY wrong with the Electromotive stuff other than aesthetics? Is there an advantage to running the distributor with carbs or is it strictly and MFI association? I havn't spent the money yet but I'm getting ready to and don't want to make a preventable mistake.

Lindy

prejudice: An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.

I'm not certain I see any prejudice other than liking my women to have teeth!!!!!

[MBruns]

I have used the electromotive systems since the mid 80's on our cars as well as customer cars when there was not an affordable option to go twin plug with the price and availability of factory distributors. So other than sensor issues and and a few board problems the HPV1 systems were pretty reliable, then the HPX(purple) units replaced them and they were junk, and frankly the biggest reason we developed our twin plug distributor. The new XDI system seems to workout a bit better, we have tested many of those systems over the years for customers mostly with good results, but still some hard start issues and some no start problems. The bottom line is the distributor is a simple and reliable system that has worked well and for the most part does not require tech support to figure out why it won't function, and the MSD boxes, caps, rotors,coils etc. can be bought local or even at the track on a race weekend. Plus they look period correct !

My 2 cents, Mike Bruns JBRacing.com

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

In fact most people experienced with early MFI injections will tell you that a distributor will actually work better. I think I'm quoting Steve on this.

Absolutely true,......and the same goes for carbureted engines as well.

Its the difference between using MSD's and those nice wide plug gaps vs some coil pack units that don't support .050 gaps without misfires.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by MBruns

I have used the electromotive systems since the mid 80's on our cars as well as customer cars when there was not an affordable option to go twin plug with the price and availability of factory distributors. So other than sensor issues and and a few board problems the HPV1 systems were pretty reliable, then the HPX(purple) units replaced them and they were junk, and frankly the biggest reason we developed our twin plug distributor. The new XDI system seems to workout a bit better, we have tested many of those systems over the years for customers mostly with good results, but still some hard start issues and some no start problems. The bottom line is the distributor is a simple and reliable system that has worked well and for the most part does not require tech support to figure out why it won't function, and the MSD boxes, caps, rotors,coils etc. can be bought local or even at the track on a race weekend. Plus they look period correct !

My 2 cents, Mike Bruns JBRacing.com

My experience mirrors Mike's.

Remember, 911 distributors run directly off the crank so if the unit is in excellent condition, there is no spark scatter even up above 9K.

[Cupcar]

Call me sentimental, but I would rather look at this:



Than this (even though done very well):

[Bullet Bob]

How expensive are replacement caps and rotors for the different aftermarket twin plug distributors?

[lindy 911]

I'm not so concerned with what they look like as much as how well they work. I think both the photos above are lust-worthy. From what I gather here is that there are problems with the crank fire stuff and the distributors are more reliable. One thing I have learned however is that the prices are not similar. The Clewett set up is $1200 complete. The JB racing distributor is $1300 but you have to add two MSD 6 AL plus coils at about $350 each. Now you're almost $2 grand.

My motor build will look similar to the second photo with 46 Webers, GE 60 cams, SSI, and 10.5:1 JE pistons that just came back from Poly Dyne and twin plug SC heads with big ports. I don't have the ignition yet and still am undecided.

Lindy

[Shoepop]

[QUOTE=Henry Schmidt;5022241]Ok, that was you in the pictures. Did you ever consider shaving that harry butt of yours?

That must have been my brother, I was farther back in the line

[lucittm]

Mike,
Have you put the JB Racing distributor on a C2 Turbo yet? I'd like to know if the boost pipe clears, they don't with the 964 dual distributor in the C2 Turbo.

If you need a project car, mine is available.


Thanks,
Mark

[MBruns]

Mark, do a search here for sand_man, he bought one of our distributors and installed it in a C2 set up, I think he posted some pics as well
Mike Bruns

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Bullet Bob

How expensive are replacement caps and rotors for the different aftermarket twin plug distributors?

Hi Bob,

The vast majority of the aftermarket twin-plug distributors use the Marelli cap as used on 12 cyl Jaguars and they aren't bad at all. There are some cheaper Italian ones which are pure junk (IMHO). Each distributor manufacturer uses their own proprietary rotor to fit their specific internals.

The Bosch caps and rotors as used on 3.0 RSR's and 935's are VERY expensive, now but do offer some advantages such as wider terminal spacing to reduce cross-firing.

[Cupcar]

Originally Posted by Steve@Rennsport

... The Bosch caps and rotors as used on 3.0 RSR's and 935's are VERY expensive, now but do offer some advantages such as wider terminal spacing to reduce cross-firing.

Hmm, an advantage to all the distributorles systems, no matter how cool they look to me.

Could the Clewett (or other) system be set up using a direct coil on plug system by using modified valve covers and some OEM Porsche or other manufacturer coil on plug units?

This would be pretty cool and eliminate possible cross firing within the spark plug wiring harness and make for a nice, neat system.

[Shoepop]

Originally Posted by lindy 911

From what I gather here is that there are problems with the crank fire stuff and the distributors are more reliable.

Lindy

In my experience this is not true if you choose correctly. I have seen and personally experienced way to many MSD failures in the past 10 years. Granted anything can and will fail but the more parts the more prone.