Pertronix compared to Duraspark

B

burnoutstang

Well-known member
I would really like to upgrade my ignition here soon, but I trying to decide which way to do it. I plan to upgrade to a turbo here soon so keep that in mind. How do pertronix and the duraspark upgrade compare?
 
One easy; one a little more complex.
One inexpensive; one a little or a lot more expensive.
One works great; the other works great. Except when it doesn't.

Lotta guys complain about the PTX failures. I never had one.
 
But which one is which? I'm going for something easy, reliable and relatively cheap. And something which can be adjusted sooner or later for a turbo.
 
In that case, just fit the GM module to your existing distributor for now. Next step would be ideally an ignition driver like Megajolt - or a full computer system with the injectors turned off.
 
burnoutstang":34m6oayv said:
It was hard enough with two options and now you go adding a third?! :D Whats the benefit of this system? Whats a GM module?
Click to expand...

hes referring to a GM HEI "4-pin" module. theyre small, cheap and work great, so alot of people use them with the duraspark distributor. theyre also very easy to wire (a whopping total of 5 wires) and can be hidden in the engine bay pretty well. i cant see the benefits of using it on a points system though.

if i were you i would go for a DS2, IIRC the pertronix costs about $80, you can do a DS2 for about the same.

dist. ~55
cap + rotor ~20
module ~ 15
wire <5

if you keep the load o matic and use pertronix, youll only have vacuum advance, which wont work when you hit boost. i know that the vacuum line is often unhooked on a turbo motor, then you wouldnt have any advance curve at all (except for whatever module you use). if you get a duraspark, youll have mechanical advance and you can adjust the advance curve by changing springs.
 
I've had them both. Hands down go with the Duraspark unless you want to keep that "original" look. Actually, the DS is easier to install and is more reliable.

Good luck
 
I personally thought the DUI was the BEST out there. I purchased it here from fordsix.com I havent been able to get it in my Van yet due to clearance, but I KNOW it will slide right into a mustang. AND only needs ONE hot wire to be ready to go, so FAST AND EASY, as well as the BEST!!!!!
 
sure is- but also leaves you with empty pockets, compared to a cheap junkyard DS-II system or a PTX-1 unit.

Might be one thing to consider for some of us here, we're not all blessed with plenty of dough.
 
Between the Pertronix, GM HEI, and DS (1 or 2, the only diff is the dizzy cap), what I've observed is that they're all more reliable/durable than points, but I rarely if ever hear of a DS or HEI failing, and when they do it's usually a simple matter of replacing the module, which is cheaply available anywhere you go. Pertronix, on the other hand, I hear about failing rather frequently (although there are guys who've run them for years with no problems). I've seen no real numbers on reliability, but for the money and ready availability I'd recommend against the Pertronix.

Remember that they're all just electronic ignition triggers, the gain comes from a FAR more accurate and reliable switching on/off of the coil.

And as far as a "hotter" coil, unless you go to a capacitive-discharge ignition like MSD, ANY inductive ignition system will only use just enough voltage to fire the plug - and no more. That being said, there are advantages to using a good quality oil-filled coil like the NAPA IC12 or MSD Blaster. One of the worst coil designs ever is the GM HEI epoxy-filled coil-in-cap abortions, they can easily get so overheated that revving one over 4500rpm is a crapshoot.
 
Well then, given how easy it is to replace the Pertronix, just throw another Ptx in the glove box and when the first one dies, pop the other one in. The cost of TWO Pertronices (Latin 3rd class plural) will still be lower than a new or partially new DS. Unless you got a salvage one - wires, box and all - from the junkyard. How long that works is just a crapshoot.
 
jamyers":91aix5lq said:
Between the Pertronix, GM HEI, and DS (1 or 2, the only diff is the dizzy cap), what I've observed is that they're all more reliable/durable than points.....
Click to expand...

Just to muddy the waters a bit here's a link that tells about what folks use when reliable ignition truly is a matter of life and death. Scroll down to the ignition section.

http://www.flycorvair.com/hangar1007.html
 
My rebuilt DS II cost me $39.95 + shipping. My non-OEM GM-style Ignition Module cost me $19.95 + shipping. Both from Ebay. That's about the same cost as a Pertronix 1.
 
Lazy JW":1z8qs4i9 said:
jamyers":1z8qs4i9 said:
Between the Pertronix, GM HEI, and DS (1 or 2, the only diff is the dizzy cap), what I've observed is that they're all more reliable/durable than points.....
Click to expand...

Just to muddy the waters a bit here's a link that tells about what folks use when reliable ignition truly is a matter of life and death. Scroll down to the ignition section.

http://www.flycorvair.com/hangar1007.html
Click to expand...

Interesting read. Dual points / coils, and if I read it right he's even got dual Crane electronic modules. :shock:
 
Well it seems like the ds is the way to go. I've read the sticky on it multiple times, but would some one be willing to make a quick list of the exact parts necessary so I know what to look for or bid on? A quick ebay search brought back a variety of duraspark dizzys for various engine sizes. What's right for me?
 
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