Electronic Ignition Conversion input
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 0
From: Summerfield North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '10
Electronic Ignition Conversion input
I have a 65 with a 327/350hp w/air. Anyone have any thoughts about or experience with Lectric Limited's Breakerless SE electronic ignition conversion kit or conversions that are similar to theirs? Any pros or cons regarding reliability, etc.?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 786
Likes: 15
From: Emporia, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, KS
Mallory Unilite
I can't speak for the Lectric Limited unit, but I did install a Mallory Unilite conversion on my NOM '60. I have been very pleased with it. This unit uses a light source/shutter wheel arrangement, as opposed to magnetic impulse. The unit is totally contained in the distributor. It is a straight forward installation, which can be done with the distributor installed in the engine. I took my distributor out to install; it was easier to do that way. The only problem I have had is one of the wires at the connector plug loosened enough to where the engine would not start. This may have been my fault in that I may not have fully inserted the wire in the first place. Other than that one problem, I have not had any trouble for the five-plus years it has been installed.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 3
From: Poulsbo Washington
I put a Pertonix ignition system in my '67 with their high voltage coil and what a difference. Noticeable improvement in performance, starting, and idling with no problems. The car stays in tune and there is no maintenance. Plugs, cap & rotor change every 3 years or so, and that's it!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,638
Likes: 3,584
From: NorCal
I just added Lectric Limited's system to my 67 327/350. The engine definitely has a more crisp feel. There are some advantages to this system, mainly related to the module not burning up under certain conditions, as listed at their web site:
http://www.lectriclimited.com/breakerless_se.htm
http://www.lectriclimited.com/breakerless_se.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 280
From: Egg Harbor Township NJ
2015 C2 of Year
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10, '14-'15
Originally Posted by JR's66coupe
I installed the Crane XR-I in my 66 L79. Simply remove the points and install it - very simple installation. It also has an adjustable rev limiter.
I Have the same Unit Crane XR-1 Solid State... No Freaken L.E.D.s More Reliable Then The Mallory Unilite..
That stupid design left me stranded on a Cold 14 Degree Winter night do to a burned out led emitter.
LED's do not function well in excessive heat or cold..!! Those of you who are useing the Mallory Unilite.....BEWARE....!!!! Your Failure Time Is Just around the Corner...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 786
Likes: 15
From: Emporia, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, KS
No failures here
Originally Posted by Viet Nam Vett
LED's do not function well in excessive heat or cold..!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 280
From: Egg Harbor Township NJ
2015 C2 of Year
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10, '14-'15
Originally Posted by 1COOL60
I can't speak for very cold weather operation, but I have driven mine on 100+ degree days with no problems. My engine also ran hotter back then than it does now, so I can assure you that mine has passed the heat test!
Passed the heat test.......?????.. Sorta like playing Russian Roulette
Turning an led off and on 10 Billion times or so every min or so in 100+ degrees heat or extream cold with voltage and current surges is not my idea of good engineering..
I'm not the only one who has experienced failure with this product. I know of several people I have met at car shows who have thrown this unit away and switched to the Crane XR-1 Solid state impluse unit because it has failed and left them High and dry.
Just make sure you carry a set of gold old relieable points and a rotor in your glove box.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,018
Likes: 2,262
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Xr1
I installed the Crane unit last fall right before I took it to track for first time. it worked fine other than the goofy rev limiter is a very poor design. I messed with it and messed with it and it was shutting me off at under 6500 rpm or so no matter where I put it.
Then I never got around to messing with it again for awhile and had it in there when I drove it to BG for the Cruise In last May. All of a sudden it wouldn't rev over 4800 rpm or so!! I ended up putting back my 7 year old set of points in the hotel parking lot and .....whammo...instant 7000 rpm again! Was a little embarrasing when I wanted to take folks for rides!
Otherwise it fired fine....but the rev limiter is a POS and you can find lots of folks to back that up. Crane has offered to replace it,not sure if I'd put it back in though!
Crane makes excellent cams......not sure about their electronics yet though.
JIM
Then I never got around to messing with it again for awhile and had it in there when I drove it to BG for the Cruise In last May. All of a sudden it wouldn't rev over 4800 rpm or so!! I ended up putting back my 7 year old set of points in the hotel parking lot and .....whammo...instant 7000 rpm again! Was a little embarrasing when I wanted to take folks for rides!
Otherwise it fired fine....but the rev limiter is a POS and you can find lots of folks to back that up. Crane has offered to replace it,not sure if I'd put it back in though!
Crane makes excellent cams......not sure about their electronics yet though.
JIM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 786
Likes: 15
From: Emporia, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, KS
[QUOTE=Viet Nam Vett]Passed the heat test.......?????QUOTE]
I'd say driving on 100+ degree days with the engine at 220+ is a hot environment. You don't think so?
Like I said before, the unit has been there for over 5 years now, driving 3K to 7K miles per year. No problems.
I'd say driving on 100+ degree days with the engine at 220+ is a hot environment. You don't think so?
Like I said before, the unit has been there for over 5 years now, driving 3K to 7K miles per year. No problems.
