Twin Plug Goodness...Look what I made this weekend!

[BURN-BROS]

WooHoo! I've spent countless hours on my projects with very little to show for it, untill this weekend. I got a decent part on my second pull. This rotor(provided that it pasts the testing phase) will use a much more common and most importantly cheaper Marelli cap found on later model Jags. The rotor will require no mods to your existing Marelli twin plug dizzy. Please give me some feedback and/or questions. What do you guys think? Grady? Warren?

[BURN-BROS]

Here is a pic of the original cap and rotor along with mine on the right.

[Paulporsche]

Looks promising.

This could be just the thing I have been looking for to finally convert my engine fully to twin plug.

Is that phenolic resin? Did you injection mold it?!? Is is cast?

Good luck and let us know how your testing goes

[BURN-BROS]

Paul,
I machined a simple injection head Sat morning to help introduce the epoxy into the mold. The first try revealed that the regular casting method would not work. It seems pretty durable.
I have been talking with injection molders this past week to move forward with this. The cap btw is 60.00 retail, a $340.00 savings.

Thanks Aaron

[MotoSook]

Nice Aaron..

[BURN-BROS]

Thanks Souk, I appreciate the comment. I have never cast anything in my life, so I am learning as I go.

[Tim Walsh]

wow.. this could be really promising...

[hesaputz]

Aaron;

As an owner of several new and highly prized Marelli pieces, I strongly object to your devaluation of my treasures; However, would you please hold one for me should you get them going? Nice labwork, Wile E.

[BURN-BROS]

Sure thing David, I wouldn't go and throw out those Marelli pieces though.
There are actually two caps that my rotor will work on. The o.e. jaguar cap and the aftermarket. The o.e. is $120.00 and its quality is a step up from the aftermarket cap. But the o.e. is becoming rare as I believe it is being replaced by the aftermarket. I am keeping an eye out for a cheap used plastic injection machine for prototyping parts. Maybe the next step is to make those Marelli caps and rotors for the early cars...hmmm

[jpnovak]

Very nice. I saw your posts on the engine rebuild board. Love the prototype. I know that an adaptor plate is available to mount a 12 plug cap on a 6 plug dist. Will these be available too?

Yes, I want one.

[BURN-BROS]

I think Steve at Rensport Systems can provide it. I could if he doesn't want to. I have to do some machine work then test fit and longevity,etc. I have enough components to make about 10. It will take a few weekends to get those done.

[Richard C2S]

David,

Do you have your screen name on your license plate? Ever get any questions?

[power]

Nice work Burn-Bros,
Do you happen to have a part number for the OEM Jaguar cap that your rotor will fit?

[BURN-BROS]

http://www.motorcarsltd.com/epcProductDetail.epc?subcatid=0909&cookieID=1AE0LI61L&clientid=motorcars

The prices have gone up 20.00 probably due to exchange rates.

[power]

Thank you for your response. I have been intently following your progress and would like to purchase a few when ready for market. If there is a list of potential buyers please add my name.

[BURN-BROS]

Absolutely power, thanks for following up.

Aaron

[Grady Clay]

Aaron,

Wonderful job. Great looking part. Much needed. Appropriate price.


Here are some important questions for the twin plug advocates:
What is the supply situation for the NOS OE or OEM caps?
Why is the “aftermarket” cap inferior? What could be done to improve it?
Is there a source for the distributor?
Is there an aftermarket adaptor to more common distributors?

Many (most?) early 911s will significantly benefit from twin plug. The issue has always been cost. The supply has always been limited because at the high prices the demand was low (chicken & egg syndrome.)

Then entered the era of inexpensive electronics. Crank fired, electronically controlled, no mechanical distributor, and able to EFI interface systems should be everywhere. This suffers from the same problem; too high price makes for low sales. Developmental and start-up costs must be amortized somewhere.

There is also the “cool” factor. The 14-wire cap looks appropriate. You can see people’s eyes light up when you open your deck lid.



So, where is my rambling leading?

We need Aaron’s gallant and impressive efforts.
However, just building spare parts for 911 Marelli twin plug won’t hack it.
We need it to fit the overall picture where there is a good, reliable supply of twin plug systems with high quality and reasonable prices.

There is a bigger market at the right price.

Best,
Grady

[BURN-BROS]

Grady, all good questions. There are a couple of people working on replica dizzys right now. Its kind of a race, the first one out wins.
The Jag caps are easy to get due to recent production of the vehicle. I will check on the O.E. cap Last year there were only 100 caps in England.

I wouldn't poopoo the aftermarket cap as inferior, it is designed to distribute electricity and it will do the job. Its lighter weight due to plastic instead of phenolic is one reason for the comment.
I could make adaptors for distributors but there are a few people doing then already.

I have studied the market and agree with your statements. The market is developing it is just a matter of time and money.

[Roamer]

Aaron, looks very promising. Is there any thought of developing this further to be applicable to 3.2 Carreras? I am not a fan of the 964 twin dizzy approach and I have wondered whether you could use a jag cap and modified rotor with twin coils on the 3.2's. Certainly, it may be necessary to have a custom chip or other engine management for timing issues, but this seems like a far more cost effective solution.

[BURN-BROS]

Is there any thought of developing this further to be applicable to 3.2 Carreras?

Yes, although I am not that far along.

Aaron