I am considering an electronic ignition system

[TheDude]

Hi,

I am considering upgrading to an electronic ignition system to replace the stock system in my 200 I6. My points are worn out, my coil is 38 years old, and I need to replace the spark plugs. I know this subject is discussed much on this forum and I have done some reading on it but I still have questions.

The three names which I hear the most are Petronix, Duraspark, and MSD. Is one of these better suited for certain applications (street/racing)? When upgrading to an electronic ignition what is required? Along with the electronic ignition parts I would like to replace the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and the points (for backup). Can anyone recommend a set of good spark plug wires that do not cost $50.00?

Thanks for the help.

Justin

 

[LaGrasta]

Hey Dude.
I went with Pertronix, a generic 40,000 coil, both from JCWhitney. I got plugs and wires (accel) from the parts store. All were cheap and well worth it. Do it and you won't believe the differeance.

 

[CobraSix]

okay...here we go...first read this:

http://www.kastang.net/pertvds2.html

MSD is basically just an add on.

To me...there is no real performance difference.

for good wires cheap...go to autozone or the like and get 7mm Bosch for your car...should run about $25.

Slade

 

[gtm1086]

Hello Dude.

I updated to the Dura Spark a couple of years ago and it does work well. But lately I have been looking into updating to a Mallory Dist. with centrifcal advance. They also offer a msd type of ignition system along with high output coils. They are not cheap but for a performance set up I think they may not be a bad set up. See the link below for more info.


http://www.centuryperformance.com/mallory/dizzymatrix4.asp

 

[TheDude]

Thanks for the replies. I believe I am going to go with the Pertronix setup. What is included in this package? Is it a whole new distributor or just the inner components? I am new to ignition systems so I just want to make sure I do this right. For the coil, should I get a 40,000 volt Flamethrower unit? I should get oil filled, as opposed to epoxy filled, correct?

Thanks so much for the help,

Justin

 

[gtm1086]

Its just the inner guts. Either coil should be fine. I would go with the flame thrower if you hook up a MSD unit. The Pertronic by itself really does nothing to develop higher KV

 

[ludwig]

That'll get you out of the woods. I would suggest the Pertronix hi capacity plug wires and the Flame Thrower coil too.
You HAVE to find a constant 12 volt power supply or you'll have probs with the ignition. I love my Pertronix II. No probs at all (yet). I found a diagram with written tips on the web about what you need to do to get the best results with Pertronix. Unfortunately, I lost the web address. Maybe Google a while and it will show up. I tapped off one of the switched wires out of the ignition.

 

[SuperMag]

You HAVE to find a constant 12 volt power supply or you'll have probs with the ignition. ... I tapped off one of the switched wires out of the ignition.

Tap into your current ignition wire upstream of the current resistor, leaving the old wire in place, but cap it off. That way, should you need to put the points/condensor back on out in BFE, the backup wire with its reduced voltage is already there for you...

 

[ludwig]

Try this on for size. I swear by it:

http://www.geocities.com/a65ragtop/VM_F ... iring.html

Read the first paragraph carefully about 12 and 6 volt power sources. Jumping down to the second paragraph, note the different wires. I used a conventional wire tap from Kragen, the kind that has two parallel barrels: one for the source and one for the tap.

I believe this will solve the frustation of the other Sixers and their Pertronix II systems. Mine worked perfectly from day one. I need another Mustang to make the DSII swap and test the two systems scientifically. (At least that's what I'll tell my wife.)

 

[Anonymous]

i swear by my pertronix and flamethrower coil

made a WORLD of difference. you wont regret it.

 

[CobraSix]

Actually...you REALLY need to test the ignition wire YOURSELF. Don't assume 6 or 12Vs just because someone else had that voltage in their car. Many of these cars have been rewired to an extent, and many have had the resistor wires (or ballast resistors depending on the car) removed by now. Case and point, my ignition was getting a full 12Vs without removing a thing or running a new wire.

The reason I went from pertronix? It left me nearly stranded with only 3 cylinders firing because some of the magnets fell out when the tape hold them in failed. What really got me was having to wait a week for new parts to arrive (but to pertronix credit, they didn't hassle me and getting a new one free). Still, I like the over the counter availability of DS2 parts from just about any NAPA, autozone, Advance, etc.

Pertonix is nice and an easier upgrade IMHO, and performance wise, just as good.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

I went with a Peretonix Ignitor and threw out the old points and breaker (you can keep them as a spare in the trunk. They can be put back in place in about 10 minutes).

Car ran great.

Then I added an MSD-6A ignition, MSD wires, a 40K flamethrower coil and opnened the plugs up to .054.

Car started faster, idled smoother and overall runs better.

I'd say do the upgrade you won't rgeret it. I learned a lot about my ignition doing this upgrade.

Steve-O
http://www.sounddomain.com/id/66conv200

 

[ludwig]

I wonder if you might throw another pertronix in the glove box to use until you get home and set the points correctly. Roadside tuneups are the pits.

 

[CobraSix]

Except by the time you spend money for the second set of pertronix, you might as well have gone DS2. The only downside of DS2 is slightly higher initial cost (only about $20 if you go GM module) over pertronix and if you are concerned with stock appearance.

Rule: If you go with pertronix...keep the points in the back.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

Another cheap source for a Durospark 11 for those on a budget is the local auto wrecker. While you are picking, get the dizzy, the module, and the loom. Mine is from an 80 Mustang Ghia. Any other Ford product with a 200 I-6 would also work.

Nor Cal Mike