C-1 electronic ign.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've thought of doing that mod many times, but I come back to the fact that while points aren't as accurate, when they go south, they let you know, and you will still be able to limp home, or carry a spare set. Electronics go south and you're a dead duck on the side of the road! The module in my truck has stranded me a couple of times over the years. Points....never!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,580
Likes: 4,627
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
I have a PerTronix electronic conversion installed in all of my point type distributors (4) as well as the PerTronix Flamethrower coil (HD oil filled). ZERO problems.
There are others out there that work fine. These kinds of conversions are better than the points, BUT, they are NOT a super high voltage, killer ignition. They make an excellent upgrade for a performance driver type of engine.
the PerTronix modules use one red and one black wire. Some of the others use only one black wire. The great thing about these electronic conversion modules is that they are 100% contained INSIDE the distributor cap, thus there is no indication of the conversion (with the exception of the red wire on the PerTronix unit, which is easy to conceal under the top shield).
The PerTronix unit in the FI distributor in my 56 has been there for 19yrs.
In the past 18yrs, I've probably installed about 50 PerTronix conversions with no complaints.
Tom Parsons
There are others out there that work fine. These kinds of conversions are better than the points, BUT, they are NOT a super high voltage, killer ignition. They make an excellent upgrade for a performance driver type of engine.
the PerTronix modules use one red and one black wire. Some of the others use only one black wire. The great thing about these electronic conversion modules is that they are 100% contained INSIDE the distributor cap, thus there is no indication of the conversion (with the exception of the red wire on the PerTronix unit, which is easy to conceal under the top shield).
The PerTronix unit in the FI distributor in my 56 has been there for 19yrs.
In the past 18yrs, I've probably installed about 50 PerTronix conversions with no complaints.
Tom Parsons
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,336
Likes: 663
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Points here as well. Have tried electronic (CD) as a test, and saw no difference. A dist. in good condition will provide reliable accurate spark. But many dist. components wear, and as they wear, the spark becomes less accurate (with points). In most cases, an electronic module bypasses these some of these worn items (worn bushings / shaft, worn breaker plate "points" cam, etc., etc.) and the dist. now performs super, even though the worn parts have not been fixed / replaced.
But I did have a set of points fail once on the wife's Avanti. The "moving point" leaf spring broke.........and left her stranded. Easy fix (once I got there), but anything electronic or mechanical can fail.
Plasticman
But I did have a set of points fail once on the wife's Avanti. The "moving point" leaf spring broke.........and left her stranded. Easy fix (once I got there), but anything electronic or mechanical can fail.
Plasticman
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,484
Likes: 135
I have a PerTronix electronic conversion installed in all of my point type distributors (4) as well as the PerTronix Flamethrower coil (HD oil filled). ZERO problems.
There are others out there that work fine. These kinds of conversions are better than the points, BUT, they are NOT a super high voltage, killer ignition. They make an excellent upgrade for a performance driver type of engine.
the PerTronix modules use one red and one black wire. Some of the others use only one black wire. The great thing about these electronic conversion modules is that they are 100% contained INSIDE the distributor cap, thus there is no indication of the conversion (with the exception of the red wire on the PerTronix unit, which is easy to conceal under the top shield).
The PerTronix unit in the FI distributor in my 56 has been there for 19yrs.
In the past 18yrs, I've probably installed about 50 PerTronix conversions with no complaints.
Tom Parsons
There are others out there that work fine. These kinds of conversions are better than the points, BUT, they are NOT a super high voltage, killer ignition. They make an excellent upgrade for a performance driver type of engine.
the PerTronix modules use one red and one black wire. Some of the others use only one black wire. The great thing about these electronic conversion modules is that they are 100% contained INSIDE the distributor cap, thus there is no indication of the conversion (with the exception of the red wire on the PerTronix unit, which is easy to conceal under the top shield).
The PerTronix unit in the FI distributor in my 56 has been there for 19yrs.
In the past 18yrs, I've probably installed about 50 PerTronix conversions with no complaints.
Tom Parsons
Cyl Application
Volts/
Ground
Ignitor Ignitor II Ignitor III
Part No. Price Part No. Price Part No. Price
'55-'61 8 All w/mech. adv. under base plate,
includes dual point distributors 12 V
negative 1183
$93.70 n/a n/a
6 V
negative 1183N6
$102.80
'57-'74 8 All w/mech. adv. at top of distributor shaft
(1181LS is Lobe Sensor Ignitor)
(Click here for a comparison of 1181, 1181LS, and 91181.) 12 V
negative
1181 $80.80
or
1181LS $84.50 91181 $113.90 71181 $134.60
'59-'74 8 Dual Point (Mech. Adv. at top of distributor shaft) 12 V
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 195
From: Maryland
No matter which triggering device is used, the most important point to remember is that the distributor light the fire at the precise moment as to create maximum downward pressure on the piston @ approximately 13* ATC. The main shaft should be stable and not have any wobble or excess up & down movement. The ignition map should be optimized and the ignition parts ( HD points, non emissions cap & rotor) be of top quality.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,151
Likes: 480
From: "You may all go to Hell- and I will go to Texas- Davy Crockett
St. Jude Donor '12
Tom- Do you find that you have better plug life after changing to electronic? I get kinda tired of having to carry an extra set of plugs, ala the old days, when they crap out after ******* it around town for a week or so. Sometimes they'll come back if you blow the soot out of em, sometimes not. I'd like to be able to nail it and not have it lay down on me.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,915
From: Washington Michigan
Tom- Do you find that you have better plug life after changing to electronic? I get kinda tired of having to carry an extra set of plugs, ala the old days, when they crap out after ******* it around town for a week or so. Sometimes they'll come back if you blow the soot out of em, sometimes not. I'd like to be able to nail it and not have it lay down on me.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,580
Likes: 4,627
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
Yep, I should have mentioned that, PLUS, I personally am still partial to the PerTronix 1181 for distributors that use a window cap.
In the past, I've only installed ONE unit in a distributor with the weights under the plate (FI dual point type)------------------have never seen nor heard from the owner again, so I really can't comment on that type of dist.
Tom Parsons
In the past, I've only installed ONE unit in a distributor with the weights under the plate (FI dual point type)------------------have never seen nor heard from the owner again, so I really can't comment on that type of dist.
Tom Parsons
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,141
Army
You can drop in a Pertronix billet distributor with Ignitor III capabilities including a rev limiter and lifetime lubricated bearings, put your ignition shielding on and not screw with it again for a LONG time for about $235 from Jeg's. And points don't always let you know when they are going bad...I've been left afoot more than once by a bad condenser and again when my points actually 'cracked'.
And, yes -- you can go up a heat range on the plugs...nearly everybody runs the AC-R45S but the factory actually wanted to go to the hotter AC-R46S on Corvettes driven in the city...service bulletin attached. I run an AC-R46S equivalent because the originals are no longer in production.
And, yes -- you can go up a heat range on the plugs...nearly everybody runs the AC-R45S but the factory actually wanted to go to the hotter AC-R46S on Corvettes driven in the city...service bulletin attached. I run an AC-R46S equivalent because the originals are no longer in production.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jun 14, 2011 at 02:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 307
From: Scottsdale AZ
I like the big cap HEI. The small cap HEI, may work better if you like the more stocky look and the cap interferes with the wiper motor. My engine sits down a little in the front. I have heard of pertronix modules failing and you cannot know their source of supply and qualification testing. I think you will have a more reliable unit from a stock chevrolet application.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history
Thomas,
I have run the Petronix with my original Mallory dual point distributor for many years and many miles (15,000+) with no problems. I am still using the same set-up on my 500hp DART 400 SHP in my 61.
I carry the points and condenser sealed in a package in the tool box for an emergency to get home.
Ignition is just not an issued any longer, do a Lars rebuild on the distributor...cost nothing and only an hour
Joe
I have run the Petronix with my original Mallory dual point distributor for many years and many miles (15,000+) with no problems. I am still using the same set-up on my 500hp DART 400 SHP in my 61.
I carry the points and condenser sealed in a package in the tool box for an emergency to get home.
Ignition is just not an issued any longer, do a Lars rebuild on the distributor...cost nothing and only an hour
Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 99
From: Boston MA
You can buy complete distributors from lots of places. Jegs and Summit will sell you Pertronix ones. If the distributor you already have is OK, you can buy a kit to convert your points type distributor to one that contains an electronic triggering device. An electronic triggering device is used in all modern cars. It will save you from adjusting and replacing your points. At the rate you will be driving the car, that's about once every 10 years. If you do convert, carry your old points and condensor. If your electronic triggering device fails, you could convert back to points at the side of the road and continue on.
Pertronix makes a unit that is very popular. I think the Breakerless SE is the best. The Breakerless unit is a one wire system, and it contains a device that saves the coil if the ignition is left on. Do your research on them and decide for yourself.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,580
Likes: 4,627
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
This is a 65 FI dist (has vac adv) in my 56, with the PerTronix unit that uses the magnet wheel (#1181).
Tom Parsons
Tom Parsons
