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Electronic Ignition vs Distributor

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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 10:27 AM
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Default Electronic Ignition vs Distributor

What are the advantages of changing to electronic ignition other than getting rid of the points? How complicated is it to change? Any recommendations on which one to change to. I have a 71 Vette with a 350. This is not the original engine in the car and it has been estimated at 350hp.
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 11:50 AM
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Default Petronix

Originally Posted by ukwildcat53
What are the advantages of changing to electronic ignition other than getting rid of the points? How complicated is it to change? Any recommendations on which one to change to. I have a 71 Vette with a 350. This is not the original engine in the car and it has been estimated at 350hp.
I have a '69 350 and I swapped out with the Petronix system. Works great and takes no time at all to convert. It keeps the original Cap and Wires for the stock look, but HEI guts.

Cheers
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 12:14 PM
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I thought you had to change the plug wires when you changed. Is that not true?
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 12:55 PM
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Not with the Petronix , you keep the cap, wires and I use their coil. I also used Platinum plugs with a .060 Gap. There is a lot of opinions about Plug Gap, but I find .060 works great for my car.
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by ukwildcat53
What are the advantages of changing to electronic ignition other than getting rid of the points?
None.
I've done back-to-back dyno testing of a standard points system and various aftermarket electronic conversions. There is no change in engine output as long as the advance curve remains the same. That said, the elimination of the points drag on the advance system tends to slightly quicken the advance curve, and this will produce an increase in low and mid-range torque. You can achieve the same result by simply re-curving your distributor and optimizing its curve.

A good set of points will perform flawlessly up through your redline rpm, and they will hold their adjustment for years of service. I've never understood the fascination with wanting to replace a system that actually works very well with an different system that offers few, if any, advantages.

Originally Posted by VancouverMark
IPetronix keeps the original Cap and Wires for the stock look, but HEI guts.
PerTronix is not HEI. It's simply an electronic trigger than replaces the points. Due to the trigger method, dwell increases slightly, which can produce slightly higher secondary voltage. But it's not HEI.

Lars
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 01:10 PM
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Lars

I have to replace my vacuum advance can, I picked up one but it might be for an HEI (part # V353 - Borg Warner) , is there a difference? Should I ask specifically for the non HEI can?
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 02:03 PM
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Nevermind I found your article, awesome btw! The one I bought V353 is a B9- so according to that article it is for a 69-70 Corvette 350/300 HP. I'm all good!
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 02:15 PM
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The B9 vacuum advance control unit is not a good choice for vacuum advance. That unit pulls in about 21 degrees of advance, and doesn't pull it all in until you hit 18 inches of vacuum. Unless you are pulling about 20 inches of vacuum at idle in drive, that unit won't work well. Also, current fuel blends in available pump gas don't allow much more than 12-14 degrees of vacuum advance without causing "jerking" and "chugging" at light throttle cruise due to over-advanced timing from the vacuum advance.

For a mild performance application, use the B26 and shorten the advance from 16 degrees to about 12 degrees by welding a small dab into the end of the limit slot.

Lars
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 02:24 PM
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Default ????

Originally Posted by lars
The B9 vacuum advance control unit is not a good choice for vacuum advance. That unit pulls in about 21 degrees of advance, and doesn't pull it all in until you hit 18 inches of vacuum. Unless you are pulling about 20 inches of vacuum at idle in drive, that unit won't work well. Also, current fuel blends in available pump gas don't allow much more than 12-14 degrees of vacuum advance without causing "jerking" and "chugging" at light throttle cruise due to over-advanced timing from the vacuum advance.

For a mild performance application, use the B26 and shorten the advance from 16 degrees to about 12 degrees by welding a small dab into the end of the limit slot.

Lars
Ok, now I am confused. Going by this article, which I thought you wrote, it tells me that B9 is the ticket. http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...c_Adv_Spec.pdf
Am I not reading this right? Is there something I can use without welding?
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 02:39 PM
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I figure this would be a good place to post this question, but I want to install a push start ignition. How hard would that be?
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by VancouverMark
Ok, now I am confused. Going by this article, which I thought you wrote, it tells me that B9 is the ticket. http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...c_Adv_Spec.pdf
Am I not reading this right? Is there something I can use without welding?
I don't know who is posting that article, but it's 8 years obsolete. I always tell people:
"I don't post any of my articles on the Internet. Do not download my articles off the Internet because they tend to be outdated and obsolete. For copies of my articles, contact me directly via e-mail:
V8FastCars@msn.com

Use the B26 unit and shorten its stroke. No, there are no units with a stroke that's short enough for today's fuel - the units are made to their original specs to support fuel which no longer exists, so you have to modify the parts to tune the car for current operating conditions.

Lars
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