Bosch CDI upgrade - which year?
 

I have a stock 1967 ignition setup, which I am considering upgrading to electronic ignition. I saw that Pelican offer rebuilt Bosch units. Which model should I consider, the 74-77 year model or the later 78-83 model?
I have not clue as to what difference there is or whether I can use the later model.

thanks
Fred

Use a MSD 6A or 6AL, is cheaper and better that the CDI. Use a Crane Cams XR-700 to make the electronic ignition. Buy a MSD Blaster Coils or an Accel 14001 super coil. This are the cheaper and better performance combinations over the stock.

The '69 - '77 3-pin model is intended for distributors with points, whereas the '78 - '89 6-pin model is only for distributors with magnetic pickup coils and the famous green coax cable!

thanks Warren.
So if I got the earlier model I couldn't update my distributer to be without points. I had been told this was another good upgrade to do, but its only what I hear. What is your opinion?

Fred

There are aftermarket kits to eliminate the points that you could still fit to your distributor ... some using electro-optical components and others using Hall-effect magnetic sensors, but all of the kits have signal conditioning and conversion electronics built into the kit.

My point about the SC distributor using a magnetic pickup is that the signal conditioning circuits are built into the 6-pin CDI unit, and that type of distributor isn't compatible with earlier engines -- the distributor gears and shaft turn opposite directions, and, hence, aren't interchangeable!

"Use a MSD 6A or 6AL, is cheaper and better that the CDI."

Really! So please tell us why and provide objective data other than subjective
info like marketing B.S./hype.

Check out this web site (www.systemsc.com) on the Technical page under Ignition
Systems for a better understanding of why the MSD has no technical merit and
why Porsche chose a dual plug system versus a mickey mouse multiple spark
design for the 964/993; i.e. (It's called; "How do we differentiate our product
from other CDIs to sell easier?".

"I had been told this was another good upgrade to do, but its only what I hear."

The 3 pin & 6 pin Bosch units are basically the same in functionality and
spark energy/voltage (& circuitry). In the long run, points are potentially
more reliable than the aftermarket pickup units for the 3 pin CDI. Both
the 3 pin & 6 pin Bosch units rarerly ever fail, unless damaged, e.g.
reverse battery jumping & overvoltage alt. regulators.

Great. Thanks for the info. Now I know which to get.
I appreciate the help.

Fred

Loren-Does Bosch or sign your paycheck?
You always throw that link out when someone mentions MSD. I would imagine that most of us that go with MSD do so due to cost. Very significant difference!! some say there is an improvement in the low RPM, starting and idle. But the cost savings are worth it even with no performance gain.

Loren; If I told you -- you wouldn't believe me anyhow... :rolleyes:

" Very significant difference!! s"
"But the cost savings are worth it even with no performance gain."

Not really! Not when you consider the install time, headaches, & reliability.
There are many sources for Bosch rebuilt CDI units, which Pelican Parts
is one with competitive prices.