Hey Im just looking for some users that have experience with this kind of stuff. Im sick of my regular points, Ive always had issues getting them set right( I normally just stick with old stick a matchbook cover in it....).
Ive been told many things...
1. keep points but hook up a TFI-IV(awesome because if it burns out I can just bypass and re-hook up my points and be on my way).
Alternative, use a mopar style ignition box instead of TFI module.
2. Get A Pertronix Ignitor and a good coil(Remove ballast wire and replace with good strong copper wire).
3. Pertronix Ignitor and a H.E.I. module(don't know much about this).
4. Pertronix and MSD 6Al or 6A depending on if you want a rev limiter and a good coil(again remove ballast wire).
5. Go to a duraspark system(again don't know much about this).
Anybody have insight on any of these methods? Im looking for a cheap alternative for points to electronic ignition. User feed back on all of these methods would be awesome.
Edit: Researched about duraspark, what the diffrence between duraspark 1, 2 and 3? All the boxes Ive seen look the same with 2 plugs. One plug is a 2 wire with red and white, the othe has green black and orange... So is it as simple as getting a 2.3 duraspark distributor and pluging in a duraspark box with the correct coil?
What year car and engine?
T
he Duraspark 2 has a few enhancements over the 1, including automatic timing or dwell adjustments during cranking for better starting. This adds 2 more wires in one of the module harnesses.
This is the system my 78 has. It was reliable up to 153K miles and 32 years. The pickup died but I replaced the whole system, disty and all for under 100 bucks. Old parts are in the trunk for backups.
When Rick Byrnes had ignition problems with his land speed racing 2.3T Merkur, he pulled out the aftermarket distributor, wired in a STOCK duraspark distributor and had problem-free runs at 9000rpm+, 600hp+, 200mph+.
I'd install the duraspark and leave the rest of alone.
My $.02 worth today.
Mike
Quote from: Mike Modified on February 18, 2010, 12:10:37 PM
I'd install the duraspark and leave the rest of alone.
X2. It would appear somewhat stock, also.
Yeah Ive heard good things about the duraspark system, my cars a 74 with a stock 2.3. Im in the process of getting parts for my car and am planning on getting a duraspark distributor and brain box. any good wiring diagrams for the install? I heard its pretty damn simple to install. So I need the duraspark dizzy and brainbox and the correct coil right?
Edit: The brain box im getting is out of a 79 bobcat, is this a duraspark 2 box?
Here This should not only help me out but a few others. The first is for a high performance coil, the second is for a regular coil.
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/thaglitch666/durasparkfinal.jpg)
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/thaglitch666/DurasparkFORDall.jpg)
The 79 Bobcat should have a compatible ignition module. The Duraspark system was used on MANY different cars and trucks. The same module used in Pintos can be found in 80's F150s also. It had a simple job - to convert the tiny 2VAC signal from the disty pickup to a switching on/off of the coil.
Since you have a 2.3, a later DS2 disty should work. Rockauto has rebuilt ones for 50 bucks.
Coil can be had at RA or off the Bobcat mentioned above. Good time for new cap and rotor, wires, etc. Get wires for the 78 model so they will be DS2 compatible. The earlier ones might not handle the higher voltages well.
Hey I just got a Duraspark dizzy and Duraspark 2 brain box with a blue tab. I just cleaned it up as it was greasy as hell.
This is the correct dizzy for my stock 2.3 right? I heard from someone I might have to change the gear on it.
Any help would be awesome.
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/thaglitch666/IMG_0777.jpg)
gear is the same on all 2.3's ;D
Ok cool, also I noticed that on 75-76 pintos with duraspark, they had the same cap and roter as my 74, would it be ok to use my cap and roter instead as I dont have that type of plugwires at the moment. I did check and it fits pefect.
Also as for the coil I dont have the duraspark or high performane coil at the moment, would my original 74 coil be safe to use? I am going to use the original resistor wire to power the coil.
from what I can remember from my 2.3 racing days, all of that stuff will swap out OK. someone correct me if I'm wrong :P
Quote from: 71pintoracer on February 22, 2010, 05:39:31 PM
from what I can remember from my 2.3 racing days, all of that stuff will swap out OK. someone correct me if I'm wrong :P
Correct, I just went ahead and installed it with my stock wires, coil, roter and cap. Ran flawlessly first start, didn't have to time it, Timing was set around 12 or so, had to turn my idle down a little bit to get it around 750-800. Flawless starts and incredibly responsive. Also had to turn down my mixture a few turns. I should save alot of gas now. Simple as hell to install, highly recommend to new pinto owners to do this simple swap.