Uh Oh....Ignition Upgrades

[joseph222]

I haven't even owned this car a year and I'm already becoming afflicted with the Upgrade Virus. After hearing the recent comments of 0900 & 050 dizzy performance, or lack thereof, and as a "newer" 914 owner (last August), I feel I need to consider upgrading my ignition system. I am planning on autocrossing this season.
My current setup by the previous owner is a 2.0L with euro p/c, Webers, performance cam, balanced, 0900 dizzy, blue coil & MSD5. In considering ignition upgrades, starting with lesser expensive to more expensive, what would some of you with greater knowledge recommend? If you can be specific at all with model number or specs, it would help me in inquiries with parts houses.

Rev-limiters would be nice as part of the deal as well as possibly losing the points. Any help appreciated.
Joseph

[HMeeder]

The number 1 easiest and cheapest upgrade is an electronic ignition module. Never having to adjust and replace the points alone is worth the price of admissioon, believe me. Additionally, the spark is 'cleaner', idle smoother (especially if your dizzy is getting along in years, and they all are.)

I have tried the Pertronix and Compufire units. You could not pay me to try Pertronix again, but I am very happy with my Compufire.

Both run about $70

[campbellcj]

Originally posted by joseph222
I haven't even owned this car a year and I'm already becoming afflicted with the Upgrade Virus.

A year????? I started upgrading my car in the first HOUR, LOL.

This car has a Crane Hi-6 electronic ignition with built-in adjustable rev limiter, and a Crane PS-91 high-power coil. Works great in my experience so far, and significantly cheaper than the MSD. Also with the MSD I think you have to buy and swap separate little plug-in thingies to set the rev limit, whereas with the Crane you just turn a little dial on the unit.

[John Rogers]

Here's what I'd recommend and in this order too:Piggy back in a LARGE red oil pressure light and sick it to the dash. Then as Herb said use a Compufire points eliminator. Put some good 8.5mm plug wire on such as MSD or Accel. If the sump is stock, install a tuna can. Finally mount a shift light so you can watch the track instead of the tach. Good luck.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

And switch to an 050, or a stock 1.8 distributor if you can find one and have (or can make) the ports for vacuum advance on the carbs.

Or if you have the bucks, go Mallory. Reputed to be the best thing for the Type IV engine since they invented air.

--DD

[joseph222]

Thanks everyone. I forgot to mention I already have Firebrand plug wires. So it looks like an 050 bosch and compufire module would be an inexpensive upgrade (150.00) that would provide better advance characteristics and more stable spark. I already have an MSD5 electronic ignition that seems to work great, so to go to another unit just to have a rev-limiter, it will in effect, cost me about 300.00. Are there any stand alone rev-limiters that would be less expensive? Are Mallory distributors outrageously expensive? Is there a model made for the 914, or is there a known model for another car that will also fit and have the proper advance curve, etc.?
Joseph

[campbellcj]

The Mallory is a bit expensive, in the $150-250 range IIRC, depending on which flavor you get. There are vacuum and mechanical-advance only versions, and also points-type vs. optical no-points.

If I were planning to stick with my Type4 engine, I would very likely do the Mallory. Sounds like a slick dizzy.

[campbellcj]

Here is a link to info & pricing on the Mallory -

http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=IGD0003

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

At least some of the Mallory distributors do not have points either. So you pay $150 for a points replacement + distributor, or you pay $200 for a points replacement and better distributor... (Uh-oh, I may have just talked us out of an 050 sale. Oops!)

Hook up the vacuum advance if you can.

As for rev-limiters, you may be able to find a rev-limiting distributor rotor for it. The stock distributors take either a regular rotor or one with a spring-loaded weight in it. The weight gets pulled on by the centrifugal component of acceleration (HAH! I didn't say "centrifugal force"!! ) against the spring as the rotor spins faster. At a certain point, it makes contact with a ground and shorts the spark to ground rather than sending it to the spark plug.

With luck, there will be something similar available for the Mallory.

--DD

[mkinne]

This may be a dumb question, but...
Is the Mallory dizzy only for use with carbs? i.e. no place for FI injector points?

- Matt

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

That is correct--no provision for FI trigger points. It'll work with the L-jet EFI used on the 1.8s, but not with the D-jet used on the 1.7s and 2.0s.

--DD

[joseph222]

"(Uh-oh, I may have just talked us out of an 050 sale. Oops!)

Dave,
Trust me, Pelican has so many parts I plan on purchasing that if the big guys knew about it, you'd receive an immediate raise!

Question, why do you suggest vacumn advance rather than just mechanical advance?

[Racer Chris]

Originally posted by Dave at Pelican Parts
(HAH! I didn't say "centrifugal force"!! ) --DD

LMAO!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The vacuum advance is supposed to give you a little better transition from throttle-closed to throttle-open. Plus it should give you a bit better freeway mileage and slightly cooler running on the freeway.

--DD

[joseph222]

Wow. Not one or two, but three good reasons! Although my teener, "Ol'Yeller" (I know, it's been used a lot, but if you saw it, you would understand), is rich with performance, it exhibits VERY poor gas mileage. I would hate to admit how poor it is. Do new Webers have a vacuum connection to allow a vacuum advance dizzy? And if not, is it realistic to machine one? Again, I am seeking the advice of those with knowledge accumulated from experience.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Unknown if they have one, but they should at least have a boss that you add a fitting to. It involves drilling a hole and adding the fitting. You might want to leave it with a shop with experience...

--DD