CD Box for 1983 SC - Rebuilt Bosch or Permatune?
 

We recently purchased a 1983 SC. A couple of weeks ago the CD Box died. Wondering the preference for the replacement box. I have heard that the Permatunes are not all that great, but they are considerably cheaper. Would you put a rebuilt Bosch or a new Permatune in? We have a Permatune on loan right now, but really thought we wanted to put the rebuild Bosche in. Thanks.

How do you know when a CDI is bad? I have never experienced this and it's probably good to know the symptoms.

We didn't know at first, but checked everything and came up with the box after ruling everything else out. We took it to a Porsche guy and he tested our box and then hooked up his spare to it and it started right up. We had no warning at all that something was wrong. It started and then when we got in it to leave and it didn't start!

I chose a Permatune box, and it's run for 3 years without a glitch. I've been told that your luck with a rebuilt stock CDI depends on who rebuilt it - and, the Perma tune is supposed to be a later, better design. Couldn't tell you if this is a bunch of hooey or not.

Oh yeah, the Permatune was cheaper. Shows you how I make my decisions!

Pelican has rebuilt Bosch CD units, new MSDs, and new Permatunes.

Based on the comments of most posters, the Permatune is the least
reliable. The MSD requires a not so simple hookup procedure and
requires a tach adapter. The mounting requires some drilling on the
MSD.

The spark from all three is basically the same with the MSD having
too much spark causing burnt rotors and high voltage spark plug wire
breakdown.

I have the permatune. It is about 4 years old, installed by PO's mechanic, probably about 30k miles on it. So, no, I don't think they are as bad as their reputation. I would put another permatune if it were a street only car, since that unit fits in the stock location and looks close to stock.

In my case however, if the permatune went, it woudl be MSD, since I am familiar with their product, wouldn't mind the non-stock look and I would love to have an ignition rev. limiter.

George