#1  
Old 07-09-2020, 12:56 PM
LKLusza's Avatar
LKLusza LKLusza is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
Posts: 70
Default Progression Ignition Distributor Installation

Hi Folks,

To my knowledge, no one I know of has actually tried one of the electronic distributors from Progression Ignition. These are the ones that you you can program via Bluetooth from your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.

Long story short, I found myself in need of a new distributor and took the plunge, documenting the experience along the way. Instead of a long post and many pictures, I wrote it up as a PDF document. At almost 1.5MB, it's too big too upload here, so I have it available from my family web site I'm working on.

Here's the link: Progression Ignition PDF

I hope people find it helpful. Stay Safe.

__________________
Larry
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to LKLusza For This Useful Post:
  #2  
Old 07-09-2020, 01:15 PM
RocktimusPryme's Avatar
RocktimusPryme RocktimusPryme is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Bedford, IN
Posts: 2,166
Default

Oh awesome. Im glad someone is using one of those. I wish I knew someone who had one in the car for a few years so we know the mechanics are trustworthy long term.

Apparently the dept of defense doesn't like your link, so Ill have to look at it when I get home. Looking forward to it.

__________________
1967 Firebird 462 580hp/590ftlbs
1962 Pontiac Catalina Safari Swapped in Turd of an Olds 455
Owner/Creator Catfish Motorsports
https://www.youtube.com/@CatfishMotorsports
  #3  
Old 07-09-2020, 01:19 PM
JLMounce JLMounce is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 3,679
Send a message via AIM to JLMounce
Default

I've never seen these, but very cool!

Had I not just purchased a small cap billet distributor for timing control I'd seriously consider this, even considering the pricing difference.

__________________
-Jason
1969 Pontiac Firebird
  #4  
Old 07-09-2020, 01:47 PM
LKLusza's Avatar
LKLusza LKLusza is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
Posts: 70
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme View Post
Oh awesome. Im glad someone is using one of those. I wish I knew someone who had one in the car for a few years so we know the mechanics are trustworthy long term.

Apparently the dept of defense doesn't like your link, so Ill have to look at it when I get home. Looking forward to it.
Sorry about that. I suspect the cause is that I don't yet have the SSL certificate for my domain. Even though the link just brings up the document, not the whole site, it's a case of suspicion by association.

As far as long term goes, we'll see. Looks like I'm the default guinea pig

Oh, another thing - I did say in the article that all the instructions are free downloadable PDFs, but I had also gone out an downloaded the smartphone app too (free also). It has an offline mode so you can generate any number of tunes for practice. I did both the PDFs and app to play with before deciding to buy - very helpful.

__________________
Larry

Last edited by LKLusza; 07-09-2020 at 01:57 PM. Reason: Grammer, always the grammer ;-)
  #5  
Old 07-09-2020, 01:51 PM
RocktimusPryme's Avatar
RocktimusPryme RocktimusPryme is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Bedford, IN
Posts: 2,166
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LKLusza View Post
Sorry about that. I suspect the cause is that I don't yet have the SSL certificate for my domain. Even though the link just brings up the document, not the whole site, it's a case of suspicion by association.
Lol don't sweat it man, I just said it to get a laugh. I get all sorts of random stuff blocked while Im at work. I don't blame you at all. It plays hell when Im trying to track down part numbers from some European parts vendors we use.

How much drive time do you have on the distributor?

__________________
1967 Firebird 462 580hp/590ftlbs
1962 Pontiac Catalina Safari Swapped in Turd of an Olds 455
Owner/Creator Catfish Motorsports
https://www.youtube.com/@CatfishMotorsports
  #6  
Old 07-09-2020, 02:56 PM
LKLusza's Avatar
LKLusza LKLusza is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
Posts: 70
Default

No worries - especially about things I have no control over. That's what beer's for.

I only have about a week on it so far. I also had some carb issues so it was a bit of a chore to diagnose where the problem actually was.

Now that the ignition is ironed out, it's back to thrashing on the carb. At least now I can start the thing up and move it around, which is good as it goes in for inspection on Monday.

__________________
Larry
  #7  
Old 07-09-2020, 03:55 PM
Grand73Am Grand73Am is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Posts: 2,945
Default

Thanks for the PDF. I'd seen the website for those distributors months ago, and thought it would be something cool to have. Thanks for being the guinea pig .

__________________
Steve F.
  #8  
Old 07-10-2020, 10:52 AM
1968GTO421's Avatar
1968GTO421 1968GTO421 is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Travelers Rest, SC
Posts: 1,285
Default

Your PDF writeup is excellent. If I wasn't a luddite who uses a flip-phone, it would be a good choice based only on your enthused write-up on it. Thanks for enlightening me as to whats out there. If it would interface with my old laptop, I'd consider it. Thanks for the info.

__________________


"No replacement for displacement!"

GTOAA--https://www.gtoaa.org/
  #9  
Old 07-10-2020, 11:22 AM
LKLusza's Avatar
LKLusza LKLusza is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
Posts: 70
Default

Thank you, I appreciate it. Before retiring, I was a program coordinator for an Adult-Ed Vo-Tech and spent many years creating curriculum as well as support materials for the various classes. It drives me nuts when I come across the usual multi-language instructions common to all the foreign products we have today. You know the ones. Instead of saying "switch the unit on now", it'll say something like "Please to be pressing button to experience maximum joy".

However, as I said in my article, the instructions included with the product really are very clear and concise. I just thought people might like to hear it directly from someone who actually did it themselves.

__________________
Larry
The Following User Says Thank You to LKLusza For This Useful Post:
  #10  
Old 08-29-2020, 12:51 PM
thatguy2001 thatguy2001 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Vida, Oregon
Posts: 10
Default

I also took the leap and just installed my new progressive distributor yesterday. I've only done a couple of 2 mile highway tests so far (my driveway leads to a small, winding, busy highway,) but I loved how quickly I could make adjustments that made big differences.

I also had downloaded the app before ordering and preloaded some profiles but my tablet won't connect to it for some reason, so I had to start over on my phone once it was installed.

With the Pontiac 400 high compression, lower timing preferences, I expect it will be a while before I really get it tuned in for all circumstances. I think I'm going to have to take my wife with me so she can film the real time chart and I can yell to mark places that I want to change

As I stated in another thread, I wish that the app would record the real time runs so you could watch them after getting back.

I would like to propose that those of us who do have them installed start sharing our setups to make it easier for someone to do a quick tune start, as well as finding opportunities to do fine tune improvements.

The Following User Says Thank You to thatguy2001 For This Useful Post:
  #11  
Old 08-29-2020, 06:58 PM
firechicken's Avatar
firechicken firechicken is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 1,624
Default

I really like the concept of this and would appreciate any more reviews on further use. I'd probably already have one if our dollar wasn't so weak these days but it's very tempting.

  #12  
Old 08-29-2020, 10:37 PM
389 389 is offline
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 561
Default

Put a Capacitive discharge box on the stock points and your well ahead of the game.. I like the Vertex Z6 box.. This way you will actually end up with something better then the stock points system. This system or a magneto are the only two ignitions that would be better then the stock single points system..

  #13  
Old 08-29-2020, 11:04 PM
firechicken's Avatar
firechicken firechicken is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 1,624
Default

My engine is turbocharged and has a mechanically locked out hei with operational vacuum advance for cruise conditions. It performs flawlessly.

This distributor seems ideal for setting up different fuels and/or boost levels without messing around with the timing light and stuff.

  #14  
Old 08-31-2020, 02:45 PM
thatguy2001 thatguy2001 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Vida, Oregon
Posts: 10
Smile

I emailed Progressive Ignitions with my thoughts on improving the app and got a response that has me happy and wanted to pass it along.
Quote:
I just bought your distributor for my 68 Pontiac 400. I think it's a great product, but I have some input that I'd like to share about the APP. I think that some minor modifications to it could make it much more useful, particularly for people buying it who are not timing experts, therefore will have more trial and error sessions with the setup.
1) Allow the real time monitoring to be saved so that you can review it after a test. Trying to look at your phone while driving 80 to see your stats is difficult and dangerous.
2) Allow the timing chart to be viewed outside of the app, in a spreadsheet format, to allow easier analysis.
3) Allow color coding of timing numbers - if this is difficult, then going back to #2 will allow users to do so.
4) Allow the system to display (or be set up originally) using vacuum in hg rather than kPa. Most users who are opting for an advanced distributor without doing the whole EFI/ECM setup are familiar with all manual readings of tuning from under the hood, so suddenly converting to an inverted pressure measurement can be confusing and take a while to adjust to.
5) Once people have purchased the ignition system, show some real life setups that work on various motor setups. Downloadable preferred so that it can be analyzed and used as a template to build a new one for the user.
The response was:
Quote:
we will be doing a huge app update soon that addresses most of this stuff. The reason manifold absolute pressure is used to tune engines is because it tells you the ACTUAL density of the air fuel mixture. Vacuum is a relative measurement that tells you the DIFFERENCE in density between the intake manifold and the atmosphere. Density affects how much timing the engine needs because the molecules are further apart and take longer to burn. The problem with vacuum is atmospheric pressure changes with altitude. A vacuum gauge doesn't show this. MAP does. The new app will show converted vacuum values in in/hg and boost values in psi on the gauges screen but the table will still be in kPa because you want to tune using absolute values not relative. Thanks
Super stoked about the app updates. I do love using the app, but with these sorts of changes, I think it will really be awesome.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to thatguy2001 For This Useful Post:
  #15  
Old 08-31-2020, 08:06 PM
thatguy2001 thatguy2001 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Vida, Oregon
Posts: 10
Default Timing sample setup page.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 389 View Post
This system or a magneto are the only two ignitions that would be better then the stock single points system..
I do miss the points! There are 2 reasons I felt that it was time to give up on them.
  1. They are getting more and more difficult to find easily (and more expensive). I was concerned about needing to replace them and not being able to.
  2. My stock primary ignition wire would get real hot with lots of driving, causing it to begin to fail. I knew I needed to rethink the wiring.
With setting up new wiring for the ignition, I changed to HEI due to the simplicity.

Anyhoo, I made a webpage devoted to my Progressive Ignition setup. I have a curve that I like for now (based on one 2 mile highway run), but welcome feedback
https://www.iguanatravelnow.com/personal/
This is my current setup:

  #16  
Old 09-03-2020, 11:07 AM
thatguy2001 thatguy2001 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Vida, Oregon
Posts: 10
Default

I am not sure if my post didn't save correctly or if it was deleted for some reason, but I had a summary with a timing chart and a link to my writeup on setting it up.
My writeup is on my personal business page because that's where I have access to upload images and such. https://www.iguanatravelnow.com/personal/ - it has the timing chart on it. I'd love to see what you think and where you have yours set.

  #17  
Old 09-03-2020, 03:46 PM
LKLusza's Avatar
LKLusza LKLusza is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
Posts: 70
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by thatguy2001 View Post
I am not sure if my post didn't save correctly or if it was deleted for some reason, but I had a summary with a timing chart and a link to my writeup on setting it up.
My writeup is on my personal business page because that's where I have access to upload images and such. https://www.iguanatravelnow.com/personal/ - it has the timing chart on it. I'd love to see what you think and where you have yours set.
Looks like your post uploaded fine - nice work on those charts by the way. I haven't finished the front end work on my car yet. Ended up replacing the radiator in addition to the timing cover/chain/water pump. Picked up a copper/brass high efficiency Desert Cooler from US Radiator. All that's in right now but hurt my shoulder during the install (sigh). Another delay.

Anyway, I did have a question about your Progressive tune. What are your specs set at currently that you really like? I've tinkered with 14 to 16 initial and anywhere from 8 to 10 on the vacuum with the "all in " mech at 32 deg @ 3k rpm. This would give 32 @ WOT and up to 42max on cruise. It seemed to run OK , but the carb was surging so I'm still in the dark.

__________________
Larry
  #18  
Old 09-03-2020, 09:49 PM
thatguy2001 thatguy2001 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Vida, Oregon
Posts: 10
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LKLusza View Post
Looks like your post uploaded fine
That's crazy - I pulled up tha thread at least a dozen times different ways and was not seeing. But now it's there. Go figure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LKLusza View Post
I've tinkered with 14 to 16 initial and anywhere from 8 to 10 on the vacuum with the "all in " mech at 32 deg @ 3k rpm. This would give 32 @ WOT and up to 42max on cruise. It seemed to run OK , but the carb was surging so I'm still in the dark.
I'm actually using the chart posted. After analyzing the degrees at each point, I typed them up into a spreadsheet then manually typed in every number into my app. As I think I was trying to describe on my personal page, I tried going with the 'standard' setups, the factory setups, and some recommended setups and just wasn't getting what I needed (smoothness). So after scouring for any sample charts, I found the Holley Sniper Street/Strip example. Knowing that it was likely for a Chevy and That Pontiacs don't like quite so much timing, I took their example and dialed it back a hair.

I do have the initial set at 25 and I like it, but may drop to 20 with a big jump when it goes to 1100rpm. My settings allow 34° at 4,000 but it's at 32° by 3k. Right now it's at 44° max, but that's with very high vacuum, so really only going real fast going downhill and letting off the gas.
I may bump the cruise range (67kPA/1800rpm-49kPa/2250rpm) up a little though. I need to check my mileage from today's 80 mile drive. I think it actually is lower even though it's running so smooth. All I can think is that there is room for more advance at cruise on the highway.

  #19  
Old 09-23-2020, 02:54 AM
thatguy2001 thatguy2001 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Vida, Oregon
Posts: 10
Default

Someone, somewhere asked about any mileage increase. Before installing the Progressive Ignition, I had a highway/city mix (30+ miles each way,) and usually averaged about 12mpg.
Now I have evacuated my home due to forest fires and am in town, I ran one tank of gas with minimal highway and got 13.5mpg. Today I had a 320 mile round trip up a windy mountain highway with a 4,500' elevation climb. She handled it great and I ended up with 17.5mpg for the tank. (92 premium). Definitely an improvement. I don't have all the power I want yet (pushing 70 to 80 going up the mountain was not as easy as I wanted) but she's definitely a strong beast. One of my favorite things is pulling off the highway at the top of the mountain and just having the engine purr at an idle as if you had just been driving it for 10 minutes.

__________________
Seth
  #20  
Old 09-23-2020, 04:38 AM
Tim Corcoran's Avatar
Tim Corcoran Tim Corcoran is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Willow Spring, North Carolina
Posts: 4,664
Default

Sounds like a great product as long as it turns out to be reliable but I can't justify the price for me $529.00 is a serious chunk of change for a distributor when I already have one that works great.

__________________
Tim Corcoran
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:28 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017