Duraspark II or Pertonix?

What would you install Duraspark II or Pertronix?

  • Duraspark II

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Pertronix

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0
A

Anonymous

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I am trying to decide which way to go...duraspark II or pertronix with flamethrower.

What all is needed for the duraspark swap?

Which would be the better way to go as far as power, mpg, reliability and of course price?

Any help here would be great. Thanks, Dan
 
I voted DII. I figure its a lot easier to get a part from a local parts store then it is to special order a part from a vintage car parts supplier and then have it shipped to you.

As far as cost there will be much debate on this (I'm sure) but locally:
'78 Fairmont DII dist $39.99 (autozone)
Dizzy to Cap adapter $6.49 (Advanced Auto)
'78 "blue" ignition box $16.00 (autozone)
'78 GM 4 pin module $12.00 (autozone)
MSD 6a igntion box $159 (checker/autozone) or watch for them on sale as low as 99$ around here ocassionally
New Coil (stock) $14.99 (Carquest when I broke down)
New Coil (aftermarket) $34.99+ (depending on which one you like)
New Plug wires $15.99+ (Autozone "standard" wires")

Petronix $61.95 (Rocky Mountain Classic Mustang)scroll down (a lot)
Petronix II $119.95 (Rocky Mountain Classic Mustang)

As far as MGP and driveability I have NO idea, I havent even gotten around to putting the DII into the 6cyl I have to play with :oops:

ron
 
Hey Falkirk,

This debate has taken place a number of times, so, it would be worth while to look through prior posts on the subject. As an example the following is a copy of a post I submitted to a forum question ..."Duraspark vs. Pertronix"...

..."You have asked a question that could set off quite a debate, DuraSpark vs. Pertronix. I favor the Pertronix II because the technology is newer, the performance is excellent, and reliability is better (I'm it trouble now).

Reliability. While this comment is second hand, I will say that I have not met a Ford machanic who hasn't said that the DSII "box" is unreliable. As a matter of fact, I had one tell me they made it a policy ..."back then"... to keep several on hand because they had to switch them out so often. As for Pertronix, they DO NOT perform well without a 12 volt hook-up. So, there a are lot of Ford owners out there who did not have a good experience with the Pertronix system. Why? Based on a response to an MCA letter, which response was published by MCA on their sight, Pertronix determined that there installation instructions were not clear. As a result, many of the users reporting poor performance had powered the unit via direct hook up to the distriubtor, which is NOT a 12 volt switched source. This problem was solved with the Pertronix II.

Technology. The Pertronix and the DSII are more than 25 years old. In the case of the DSII, it has not been used since the advent of fuel injection (mid 80's). The original Pertronix unit is more than 25 years old. This not to say that they don't work, or that you will not have good luck with them.

Pertronix II with Flamethrower 2. About two years old. Upgrade 1 - converts coil to 12 volt by eliminating the ballast resistor in the coil circuit (this is a good thing). Upgrade 2 - the system has built in dwell control. This helps to insure maximum spark signal throughout the RPM range (one would have to add MSD to the DSII, at a cost of $150+, to get this function). Upgrade 3 - the system has a built in circuit protector to prevent burning up the module if the key is left on while the engine is not running, i.e., if you set and listen to your sound system.

Bottom line, for $115 you get a 12 volt system with a 45,000 volt spark and dwell control. As a side benefit, this unit can be installed in about 20 minutes (easier than replacing points).

As a final note, the fact that you want to upgrage your dual vac distributor begs another question / comment. What are your long range plans for the car? Specifically, do you plan to add a performance carburetor? This is an important consideration because (and I learned this lesson the hard way), NONE of the typical / popular performance carbs (Holley or Weber) support the dual vac dizzy, and the Pertronix unit that fits the dual vac probably will not fit the single vac dizzy required with these carbs. So, if you invision a carb change somewhere down the road you may want to upgrade the the dizzy when you do the Pertronix II. This way you'll be ready for any carb change you may want to make, including one that would require a mechanical only set up as the single vac unit is easily converted."...

The total cost of the PII with Flamethrower II is $115 at Mustangs Unlimited. A rebuilt dual advance dizzy is $65 same place.

For some more insight into this issue take a look at "distrbutor help" on this same forum page.

Enjoy the trip - Steve
 
Check out my site for needed parts on the Duraspark II conversion.

Good Luck!
Mike
 
I vote dII

1. easy to replace when needed
2. has a start retard built in
3. has dual advance

I think part of the past history of the DII box is that it is a complexe circuit that was made back in the 70's with older technology and parts. a newer one should hold up many times better. also getting proper airflow to one is important. putting a pertronix in a older loadamatic dizzy isn't gaining you too much other then a reliable spark.

I think part of the key thing is the coil used and if a MSD or similar box is used. both dizzy's are reliable and if the pertronix is in a dual advance dizzy then they both are equal in that point. if you have ever seen msd boxes or other ignition boxes form the 70's you would know that a DII box looks pretty fancy.

nick
 
I went with the Pertronix cheaper and easy to install. The olny catch with the original pertronix is you need to wire a 12v power source to it and eliminate the ballast resistor. I did this by running a new wire from the ignitian switch to the coil.

Dave
 
Well so far about 75% are going for the Duraspark II. The Pertronix seams easier to install and is cheaper. So I am surprised at the results so far.

"...also getting proper airflow to one is important. putting a pertronix in a older loadamatic dizzy isn't gaining you too much other then a reliable spark. "

What do you mean by proper air flowand what are the atvantages of having dual advance?

Thanks, Dan
 
I think Nick may have been referring to where you should mount the DII module. You don't want it someplace where it will become a heatsink. I have mine mounted on the left fender apron.

I've heard the claims the DII module was unreliable, but I haven't experienced it personally. I converted my truck to DII almost 20 years ago and it's still running with the same module. I think more of the probelms may have been associated with the early version of the DII modules and by the late 70s Ford had managed to clear up those issues. But that's just my opinion. ;)
 
eliminate the ballast resistor.????
did reed this post , got a question :

got a msd 6a box a mallory coil and the dura spark distributor with cabels
there is a resistor on the coil [ look ad post duraspark mallory ] must i cut this resistor ? ore rewiring the coil from the turn key to the coil to elemenate the resistor ?
http://members1.chello.nl/h.omvlee/index.msd.html
 
For me cost was not a factor. Both systems in my opinion are VERY cheap when compared to what I have invested in the engine overall....

For me the Duraspark was the way to go.
I had a Petronix unit and Flamethrower coil in the car before going to the DII. (I threw them in a box for safe keeping in case I needed them, which I have not)

I am running a:
DurasparkII distributor (NEW from Autozone)
MSD 6A control Module, Noise supressor, Pre-ignition warning system.
MSD Helicore wires and platinum plugs.
still using the 40,000 watt Flamethrower coil.

I LOVE THIS SETUP.
It is miles above the petronix I had in there.
The car runs smoother, burns more efficient, I have more control over the timing and running of the car, I am thinking about adding manual curve control from inside the car so I can switch between different timing settings.... This can only be done by MSD and DII. (Not for everyone, but my new engine is not a simple rebuild.)

Now my setup cost me just under $300.00 complete. But like I said before, that is nothing in comparison to the rest of the car, and this little thing has such a major effect on the running of your car, why skimp?

IMHO
 
Got a question for ya Jimbo65 or anyone else who knows.

Is the Flamethrower really needed for the DII with MSD 6a setup? I am looking to spend less than $200 (haven't priced the MSD 6a yet) and from the poll results more people suggest going with the DII setup so I think I will go with the DII setup as long as it is within my price range.

Thanks, Dan
 
62fairlane170":ih8wd85w said:
I think part of the key thing is the coil used and if a MSD or similar box is used.

So, fairlane, if I am going to use the stock box, what would be the best coil choice? Right now I just have the stock coil I pulled from the donor car.
 
The MSD unit comes with a coil refernce chart that lists compatible coils for use with their box. You do not have to use the Flamethrower coil, but you do have to use an aftermarket coil that has a higher output than stock.

FYI the MSD unit runs around 149.00-189.00 depending on your dealer. I prefer Summit for parts like this as they are one of the best dealers anywhere. It will be hard to get the cost under 200.00 using MSD parts.
They are not cheap, but nothing worthwhile ever is.

You could use the Ford control unit that was stock on these distributors, that is far cheaper than the MSD unit.....

The Summit PN is MSD-6200 and their cost is 149.95 plus shipping.
 
I just replaced a red strain relief DII module in my '78 Friggin' Futura. It started to die after about a year of service. The original Ford unit lasted 24 years although I'm assuming that since the one I removed was a Ford unit. The one which died was a NAPA replacement. I slapped in the blue strain relief unit (SHHH! Not California Emissions correct!) and had to improvise an adapter harness. I'll probably be replacing it with a MSD 6A anyway when I find a Lincoln MK VII HO 5.0 to replace the stock '78 302.

For my inline '65 Mustang I grabbed a DII distributor from a '78-'80 Mustang and prefer the large diameter cap over the small '65's cap plus I wanted mechanical advance. I'll probably fire the DII with a spare Jacob's Mileage Master box I have laying around.

Regards,

Dean T
 
If I connect the wiring as per MustangSteve, will the resistor cause any problems with a Blaster coil? If I'm reading his diagrams correctly, I just splice into the brown wire going to the "I" on the relay. Sound right?
 
Dizzy to Cap adapter $6.49 (Advanced Auto)

What exactly is this?
 
It goes from the distributor body to the distributor cap. It look like a funnel. You only need it if you are using a "big" dist cap.

ron
 
would you care to explain more? If I got the distributor and cap at the same time would I need this?
 
Well I think will go over budget a little on this upgrade. Here is a list of items I think I need:

Duraspark II from a 78 Fairmont
DII Cap
DII Rotor
MSD 6a
Wire harness (From MSD 6a to DII)
Coil (What are some names to look for? What would work best for this application?)

Am I leaving anything out?

Also found a MSD 6a "New in box" on ebay for $120 + $10 S&H (The guy has 4 of them last time I checked)
 
You can see the cap adaptor on the left side of this picture. The cap adaptor screws onto the top of the dizzy, and the dizzy cap clips onto the cap adaptor. I got mine at Auto-Zone for $11.03. I didn't want to have to mail away or find one in a junkyard so I just paid the extra couple bucks.

Mike
 
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