Pertronix Ignitor Wiring

[marc weintraub]

Hi Guys,

Some of you will remember I had asked questions about the Pertronix Ignitor some time ago. As it turned out, it was DOA. Having received a new one, I thought I would give it another shot, but this one came in without instructions.

I just need to know the wiring layout (all two of them). Any help would be appreciated.

Marc

[pwd72s]

Marc...for what it's worth, Gordon Ledbetter at Rothsports informs me the gadget doesn't work in the S distributor. That's his white '73 on the cover of Brett Johnson's book. I figure Gordon ought to know. It does work in the T distributor. Sorry I don't have better details, but I just took him at his word.

[zotman72]

I beg to differ with PWD72, The 2.4 distributors are the same and yes the Petronix does work on 2.4S motor as it does on mine. Check the Porsche Tech Spec book.
All distributor specs are the same.
However, I have yet to get a proper rev limiter rotor to work with my setup. I use a straight Bosch rotor. Perhaps this is what PWD72 is referencing. You have to grind down the rotor about a .25" to get it to fit.

Now for the wiring info:

RED wire from Petronix hooks up to the
red wire lead on the way to CDI unit and with the other wire adjacent coming from the relay box. I did not undo my wiring wrap so I can not tell you the color on this second wire.

The black Petronix wire hooks up with the purple wire (TACH) and black wire hookup on the loom close to the distributor.

There is a wiring diagram with the Petronix that should support this as well.

On anchoring the mount plate in the distributor, use locktite (at least I did) as the plate will come loose and cause a vexing high speed miss. Ask me how I know.
HTH.

Bill
2.4S MFI engine in my T

[This message has been edited by zotman72 (edited 08-26-2001).]

[pwd72s]

Oh? If you're willing to eliminate the rev limiter, the ignitor works? Hmmmm. I saw Gordon today, but he was busy removing wheels from his RSR replica @ the club races held at Portland International Raceway. Didn't think it was a good time to ask about street car ignition systems...But generally, when he tells me something, I believe! Reading the catalogs, I notice pertronix is listed for the 2.4 T..but not the E or the S.
Have to admit, I've always been a bit curious about this. BTW, club races were great! The Rothsports people did the NW proud! Sorry I missed RLJ, but hooked up with other R Gruppe people...gosh, just a great day!

[This message has been edited by pwd72s (edited 08-26-2001).]

[zotman72]

Ok, lets keep this somewhat straight forward. Petronix ignitor is an upgrade to an early points-based ignition 911s. Points are pretty tiresome ignition devices that wear over time. A Petronix ignitor eliminates the need of using points by way of a magnet and a sensor pickup. Once installed, there is no adjustment ever. This is an upgrade and a great one at that! If you like doing points, stick with them.

The problem arises is that the stock rotor with a spring loaded rev limiter(T,E or S spring) does not fit under the cap with the Petronix magnet installed on the shaft. That is why I went with a simple Bosch rotor. I have no rev limiter but I try to keep an eye on the tach despite my desire to hear my S engine wail at all times. You can believe what your wrench says, but hey there are alternatives/work arounds to apparent incompatibilities. The Petronix will work on a 2.4S engine/distributor and but you forgo a rev limiter if you follow the route I did. Further, from the Porsche Tech Spec book for 72&73 models, all the 911 distributors have the same parameters. I seriously doubt there is a difference between the three motors' distributors. I do have a T distributor with a Petronix in my 2.4S MFI engine.

Back to the original subject, hopefully my wire explanation made sense. Be sure you get it right or you can fry your Petronix.

Bill

I do not miss my points one bit either

[This message has been edited by zotman72 (edited 08-26-2001).]

[marc weintraub]

Thanks Bill,

I will give it a try and post it back on the board.

Thanks Paul,

I, too, have found various work arounds for things the mechanics say are not workable solutions. No one mechanic knows everything and if they occassionally listened to their unskilled owners, they might learn something. This is one of the reasons why I stopped playing with people in the Early911Sregistry. Too much ego and BS are a part of the knowledge base. Takes too long to get an answer without rhetoric.

All The Best....


Marc

[zotman72]

Marc you got the right attitude. Dogma gets in the way of function sometimes with Porsche people. What works for the individual might not be blessed by our beloved experts. The recent strut brace discussion comes to mind too.

Getting back to the Petronix, make sure you carry a good set of points in your toolkit, just in case things go south with your Petronix. HTH.

Bill


[This message has been edited by zotman72 (edited 08-27-2001).]

[clevy70911T]

I have a 2.2 T and the Ignitor is not listed as applicable to my engine. Anybody know if it will work on my 2.2 ignition system similar to above? Thanks!!!!!!!!

[zotman72]

Same issues if you have Bosch distributor, but the Petronix will work. Unless you have one of those funky Marelli distributors and then I really do not know. Never seen a Marelli distributor up close.

Bill

[pwd72s]

To each their own. Me? I'll keep my rev limiter. 7,300 is a never ending grin. Beyond that may bring on another expression.

[zotman72]

I sure wish someone would pipe in and tell me how to have a rev limiter and a Petronix Ignitor at the same time. Short of a MSD6 system, I do not know how. The stock rev limiter rotor just do not take well to shortening, at least that is my experience.

Bill

I want the best of both ignition options.

[marc weintraub]

I will try to answer that on Thursday after I install the kit. I have two rotors, one the proper rev limited one and the other is a stock non-limited one. I will do some tests and get back to you. Provided this unit isn't DOA like the last one.