66 GTO ignition upgrades

[sloane]

I want to upgrade the spark to my goat. Just use it for driving around, but want it to zip when I step on it.
Is the Pertronix electronic ignition enough? Is the MSD kit a smarter decision?
Thanks in advance.
Jim

[sloane]

I want to upgrade the spark to my goat. Just use it for driving around, but want it to zip when I step on it.
Is the Pertronix electronic ignition enough? Is the MSD kit a smarter decision?
Thanks in advance.
Jim

[Ed Neasham]

Sloane. Just remember that the purpose of any ignition system is to produce a sufficiently hot spark at the proper time to the proper cylinder. Most any ignition, including the factory stock, will do that under "normal" conditions. If you start incressing the cylinder pressure or reving the engine higher, then maybe the stock system will start to be a little wanting. If you don't care about keeping the stock look and have the extra cask, then an upgrade won't hurt and may provide some improvement, even in a street engine. Like everything else, you get's what ya pay for. A Pertronix system would be a step in that direction at not too much of a cost (although there have been several posts on the board about the quality of the units). AS MSD or Crane system would definately be better, and if you can afford it, go for it. But if you are a little strapped for cash, there are other places you can get more "bang for the buck".

Ed

[sloane]

Thanks Ed. I like the MSD package. I guess I will need new plug wires?
Jim

[TheTempest]

The problem with Pertronix and some of the other aftermarket ignition systems is they have no fail safe mode. If you're out cruisin' and the thing toasts itself, you're comin' home behind a wrecker. A suggestion....
A company called Universal Corporation (www.wic.net/~univcorp (http://www.wic.net/~univcorp)) has been making capacitive discharge ignition (CDI) systems since 1969. CDI systems use your existing points as the triggering mechanism but using a very low voltage/current. This means the rubbing block on your points will wear away before the contacts erode. The way these systems work is to use a capacitor to send a much higher current surge through the primary winding than is possible with the stock 12volt system. This higher primary current will induce a much higher than stock voltage in the secondary windings resulting in a consistently hot spark. Hookup is very straight forward and the most important aspect of the system is that in the event of failure will revert back to the stock ignition. The other equally important aspect is cost; they start at around $100.

Check out the website, e-mail your questions and they will answer. They have done fleet testing and will answer all your questions. I plan to use one of these on my '73 Beetle I'm restoring and my '67 Tempest which is in the works. Hope this helps and good luck.


------------------
Mike
'67 Tempest Custom
Post Coupe

[Tim Corcoran]

You won't notice much of a difference in performance by going to an electronic ignition. The big gain over the old points system is reliability. If you just pick up an HEI from the Pick-A-Parts you will have the best ignition around for the price and all you will have to do is a recurve of the vaccuum and mechanical advances and you are state of the art without paying big MSD bucks.

Tim Corcoran

------------------
65 LeMans 11.13@120