-- Electronic Ignition Kit ?!

ikube Wolfsburg Wizard

580 posts · joined Feb 2004 · 4 May 2004, 9:24 pm

#169660

Hm... want to ask, Electronic Ignition, if I install this setup in my bug, will the start-up be faster,easier,smoother, more reliable? Will this guarantee it will start up for sure?

How do I check if my car has this or not ?

What are the advantages ?

Thanks!! 😀

pavelmac Casual Dubber

30 posts · joined May 2003 · 4 May 2004, 10:08 pm

#169689

From my reading of some of US web sites, there appears to be two parts to electronic ignition.
1) Electronic points. These replace the normal points and simply require less maintance than normal points.
2) CDI. This is basically fancy electronic that produce a higher voltage spark which will be more efficient at burning fuel. The claims are 3-4mpg more efficient and easier starting.

To check if you already have these: Remove the distributor cap. If you see a rotar arm and points (look like a small clothes peg) you have regular points. If the centre lead from the distributor cap goes directly to the coil you do not have a high capacity coil.

I may not have got that 100% accurate as I have not gone down that path, yet, but I'm sure I'll soon be corrected
😀

ikube Wolfsburg Wizard

580 posts · joined Feb 2004 · 4 May 2004, 10:10 pm

#169691

Thanks!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 May 2004, 10:38 pm

#169704

I have built a transistorized High Energy ignition Kit for My Beetle.. I haven't installed it as yet...
The cheaper kits You Buy - use the same points & distributor You are using now, but instead of 12 volts to the coil, they usually put Hundreds of Volts.
My kit puts 312 Volts into a standard coil.. I had to take My Bosch GT40 coil OUT as they can over heat... A Standard coil is used... You only set the points in these when the rubbing block on the points wear down..
The actual points never get burnt etc... and if the system breaks down... You just disconnect it and reconnect the condenser and away You go again.... If You have the Expensive 'No Points" system & it happens to break down, You are stuck.. It may never break down...
From all reports, ALL these systems give out a Larger spark than normal.. and Your Points Don't burn.. ever !!!
Petronix is one... Can't remember the other one...
Your Engine should start better & immediately if not sooner!!
IMHO - You should add a relay to Your starting system..
actually VW should have added one in the 60s....
I'll tell You about it tomorrow...

Lee --
http://au.msnusers.com/My1968restoredBeetle/shoebox.msnw?

[Edited on 4-5-2004 by 68AutoBug]

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

AdrianH Officially Full-On Dubber

257 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 5 May 2004, 5:53 am

#169795

Im using a compufire module, the last one lasted 4 years. I always carry the condensor and points in the glove box, just in case. I am also running a mallory CDI with it, my plugs are gapped at .040" and it runs like a charm. You get a much bigger spark with a CDI, also under 3000 rpm you get 2 sparks in 20 degrees of crank rotation, more complete combustion.

With the compufire you set it once and thats it, no more regapping points, checking dwell or any of that - its great.

ikube Wolfsburg Wizard

580 posts · joined Feb 2004 · 5 May 2004, 11:16 am

#169866

Thanks!

My next question is, how much is a kit ? Compufire sounds like the one I want, did some research and it's better than the other ones in comparision.
Can I get them in Australia or I have to order overseas ?

AdrianH Officially Full-On Dubber

257 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 5 May 2004, 1:37 pm

#169909

I would guess you could get them locally, they sell for about 60 US... If you want CDI any speed shop should have the MSD or Mallory stuff. The Mallory is a lot cheaper and does the same job.

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 May 2004, 4:12 pm

#169980

ikube wrote:Thanks!

My next question is, how much is a kit ? Compufire sounds like the one I want, did some research and it's better than the other ones in comparision.
Can I get them in Australia or I have to order overseas ?

I got a Pertronix points replacement kit from this lot:
http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/index.htm

It's about US$76 incl. airmail. I rang around in Oz and this was cheaper than getting it here and it was delivered to my door!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 May 2004, 6:45 pm

#170055

mnsKmobi
Good One...
Great Price too... thats the way to go..
I'll keep that address....

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

cumonghia Commited Dubber

70 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 8 May 2004, 7:39 pm

#171398

Was it easy to install and was there a noticable difference? how long did it take to ship?

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 10 May 2004, 12:22 pm

#172003

cumonghia wrote:Was it easy to install and was there a noticable difference? how long did it take to ship?

Easy to install but you MUST reset your timing because it can be way different. The only noticeable difference is that I never have to reset the points because they're always right!

It didn't take long to get here. Can't remember exactly but not more than a couple of weeks.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 10 May 2004, 6:19 pm

#172123

Have You noticed any improvement in Miles per Gallon??
or Litres per 100 km..?
There is talk of up to 4 MPG better economy..

It just brings Your VWs ignition system, into the modern era.

The old Kettering system - Points & Coil etc go back to the 1920s or 30s..

Lee

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 May 2004, 9:43 am

#172931

68AutoBug wrote:Have You noticed any improvement in Miles per Gallon??
or Litres per 100 km..?
There is talk of up to 4 MPG better economy..

I had high hopes, but haven't noticed any difference in economy. 🙁 🙁

It just brings Your VWs ignition system, into the modern era.

The old Kettering system - Points & Coil etc go back to the 1920s or 30s..

Lee

Lee

Too true!