just read about this new electonic ignition kit by pertronix. looks pretty ez to install... anyone have it or notice that much of an improvement in performance. and is it worth the 175.00 they want for it...

 

Where did you hear about this NEW unit?

Got a link?

 

There are mixed opinions on the Pertronix units. I have one in my '71 for 5 years now. So far so good. They changed designs I believe, and some were less reliable than others.

ALSO...Please search around for a better price. I think I last saw them somewhere for right around $100.
If I find the link, I'll post it

 

http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/




This is where I got mine from.

 

If you're current distributor is working and adjusted correctly, you probably wont notice any performance change on a stock engine.
And I"ve heard about reliability issues too.
Gary

 

I hate to chime in and slam on pertronix everytime someone asks about their ignitions, but the majority of reports I hear about them (including my own) is that they are junk. In the directions they recommended that I carry my points with me in case their module failed. Sounds like to me they dont even have faith in their own product.

 

I've had their system in my '70 for 3 years now with no problems.

 

Do a search of the forum and you'll find about a ZILLION posts going into detail about Pertronix ignitions. I think the majority opinion is it's junk. A poll might be fun to see what everyone thinks.
But it shouldn't be posted in the tech section.

Dep

 

Had the Pertronix and now the Pertronix II system, it's been flawless for over four years now.....

 

No. Spend the money on a good set of points and an aftermarket MSD ignition system. The MSD will make teh engine run better and the points will last almost forever if the MSD is switching all the power.

I have a used (12 months) set of pertronix for sale if you really want them. $50 shipped. They worked fine but I went back to points and have never been happier.

Pete

 

There is a guy who puts GM HEI stuff or an MSD pickup inside your distributor. Dave's small body HEI is the company. I havn't heard anything but good reports about them and his customer service. Joe
http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/

 

after the local o'reilly wanting $82 for an accel cap/rotor/points/condensor, i called summit. their accel cap/rotor was $20 and i decided to go the pertronix II way, $109, and get away from points. easy install as i already had the distributor out, just had to find a .020 shim, and put everything back together. car runs great, but i am carrying the old points with me as i have had bad experience with these conversions, but that happened over 20 years ago, so i'm hoping they have improved these things since then.

 

thanks for all the input my fellow c3'ers... you've convinced me to stay with the tried and true points ignition... pws 69 i read about the system on www.corvettefaq.com /ignition....

 

if all you are wanting to eliminate are "points", also consider the Crane XR-i . Got mine at Jegs for about $70... and it even has an adjustable rev limiter.

I don't know about the Pertronix unit, but the Crane module does not use a reluctor wheel; instead it senses the bumps already on the stock distributor shaft.

 

I'm running the Pertronix II and their coil...no problems.

 

I know some guys have had problems, but I doubt they would still be in business if that many people were having failures. I 've had two in both of my cars and never had a problem. The reason they recommend that you carry points with you as a backup is in case you short out your elec system by accidentally crossing + and ground wires, you could jolt it and burn it up, which could happen with any elec ign module, mallory, MSD, etc. As far as performance gain, my 69 L36 was stock except for headers and I easily picked up 15-20hp and a smoother idle.

 

I have had my original Pertronix in my vette now for over 5 years with thier coil. So far no problems. To me it seems to start easier and run smoother. I have been happy with my purchase.
I always hate it when these posts come up and I chime in. It could happen the next time I take mine out that it dies and never fires again.

 

Got the Pertronix II with the coil also. Flawless for the last 2 years. Starts every time. I'm happy with the conversion.

 

I have used these ignition systems since about 1982 when they were first brought to market by the Per-Lux corporation. I have NEVER had one fail in useage that included a daily driver 72 SS El Camino, a 66 "A" code Mustang 2+2 that transported my wife through 4 years of Nursing school to get her BSRN degree (includung lots of mileage during her senior year to varoius area hospitals to do her 6 months of internship), in my 400+HP 12 second LT-1 Vette that wins at autocross and frequently sees the high side of 7,000RPM at the races and ocassionally on the street.) The ONLY problem, I have ever had with Pertronix Ignitor ignitions has been caused by the failure of the grounding wire from the point mounting plate to the distributor base. I take my distributors completely out when I install a unit and re-build them during the conversion. Making sure the distributor housing, bushings, vacuum advance, centrfugal advance, tach drive and seals are in excellent condition will allow the ignition conversion to return between 6-12HP in gains from the Delco points distributor. Simply installing a unit in a old distributor is asking for problems. Not having a "working" knowledge of how your ignition system works and the varoius components interact will result in my BEATING YOU at the races for less monetary expediture, somthing I realy enjoy doing to "posuers" who think they are "car guys" (you know who you are!) You will notice a giant difference in start-up of your more (way more instantaneous!), lower end power, RPM build-up (acceleration) and smoothness in idle/bottom end power. This is one of the best $75 investments you can spend on your Vette in my opinion.

 

I've had one in my '72 for 3 years and it's still working fine.