Distributer upgrade

[Dale .D]

Just thought I'd ask. My machanic asked if there were any upgrades for the distributer.He didn't feel the vacuum retard system was a good one.I'm no expert on this topic so just seeing if there's anything to this.I'm running the weber 32 /36 & pertronix unit with coil & resister.

[jeff denton]

Absolutely, Dale! Check out the technology of the new millenium. Look at MSD equipment, and the various other crank triggered, computer enhanced, coil on plug and distributerless systems out there.
The stock ignition dates back to the 1800's. Ditch it if you want performance and economy. Keep it if you have rules to abide by.
Roger Wilson recently reported having great success with this new technology, and he's so scared of computers he won't even get one to join us here!
What you really need to know about it is amazingly simple.
Check out the Electromotive website, they walk you through it very well.
All the rest of the posts here answering your question will point you to the Pertronix (etc.) conversions which will bring you up to mid-70's tech. But they still rely on vacuum and mechanical timing advance, like how the cavemen did it.

[jvandyke]

I think it's quite common to disconnect and plug the manifold for the retard since it's rather useless. I didn't like the effect on my low rpm idle, the 5 degrees of retard at idle seemed inconsistent or something and I just pulled the hose off the intake and plugged it. I wonder what it is about the retard your mechanic wants to improve? Emissions at idle? I don't think it has much effect on how the car runs or performs beyond that, does it? Or does he want to play with the whole dist. design? Vacuum advance and mechanical advance and all that?
I did a limit on the mechanical advance on mine just a few weeks ago when I finally realized i had way too much advance for my motor at higher rpms. She runs much better now.

[jmbinjax]

In my OPINION, the Compufire ignition is a great upgrade. A little more expensive than a pertronix style ignition. It's pretty much "plug-n-play" and it eliminates the cap and rotor and only uses the distributor as a triggering device, similar to a crank sensor but not as precise. Just be aware the firing order is different and you have to account for this. Also, I think it can only be used with the later style distributor that has the rectangular notch for the cap. Here's one thread discussing this issue and I'm sure there are others:

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/opel-en...gnition-2.html

[Dale .D]

great info guys.Waiting for info back on the electromotive engine control systems.has anyone out there used this system.would like somefirst hand knowledge on this topic. Also the pros & cons of the electromotive verses compufire or any other system.Does OGTS carry any of this stuff?

[jeff denton]

Some of the fuel injection systems that are computerized utilize the crank trigger and integrate ignition into the system, that's were Roger is with his latest creation. Others here go into it also, again on the topic of fuel injection.
But it doesn't have to be fuel injected. That's the beauty of the MSD and Electromotive units, they can go with or without injection.
Somewhere in this site I put up the link to Electromotive Inc., but just Google it and enjoy. Notice how simple it is. Go way into the site and see all the installations and setups. It's totally back-yard-able.
I had promised to do this to my race car, but, it isn't legal at all, and I won't take Compact racing (or my Opel race car) that seriously ever again. So I have to break that promise, sorry. It is up to someone else to do the prototype and show all how simple and effective it is.
I doubt OGTS "has it" but would bet that Gil would "get into it" if there was any serious interest. If you go to the Esslinger (Ford 2.3 racing) website you'll see it. For the 2.3, that is, but the Opel setup will be identical except for the brackets to mount up the trigger sensor.
Yes the Compufire is great but it's still using the distributor for timing the advance curve. Modern technology bases the timing on the crankshaft's position and then computes all inputs (and tuning desired) to determine when to fire the plugs.
The old distributor then is simply used as an oil pump drive on the engines whose oiling system is still old school. When total maximum performance becomes popular we'll be using external pumps and dry sump systems. Then all distributors will hit the trash can complete with the drive gear, and most of the front cover will not be needed anymore! It isn't difficult. It's common everywhere but in Opeldom.