Good evening all,

About 4 weeks ago I bought a Compufire DIS-IX for my baja. 1915, W120 cam and Kadrons. Not just the points replacement unit, but the whole shebang with module on top of the dizzy, coils, the whole thing. I fitted it, used Iridium plugs set properly, and it ran perfectly. Took a bit to get the timing right, but eventually it ran sweetly. Lots of grunt and no breakdowns right through to 6,000rpm. Then the trouble started.

After about 500kms or so and 5 hours from home, it started breaking down and eventually would only fire on 2 cylinders. Luckily it was 2 and 4 and so I was able to limp home slowly. I replaced the coil pack - no fix. Replaced the module on the dizzzy and we're back in business! Another 500kms or so and half way between Anna Bay and Lavis Lane on Stockton, it breaks down again! Not happy! Managed to limp off the sand and home. Now I am getting a complete new unit out of the box to replace, which I hope will work!

Has anyone had experience with Compufires? Found similar problems? If so, did you manage to fix it and what was the fix? I've checked voltage supply - good. Earthing - good. Heat - no heat problems that I can see.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what's going wrong and will be fitting the replacement with some trepidation. The last thing I want is more breakdowns on the way to Valla in a couple of weeks!

Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc.

I know about 10-12 years ago Stan and John Spinks used them in Hillclimb.......they had nothing but problems with it.

yep there shit IMO

very unreliable

IF they are like Pertronix systems and using a standard coil of 1 or 2 ohms...

can burn out the pickup in the distributor...

You need a coil of 3 ohms or more...

cheers

LEE

PS: this IS stated in the instructions with the Pertronix...

Hmmm, feedback not good so far, eh? Thanks Johnny and Craig.

Lee, it doesn't use the normal coil, has a twin coil pack that is all part of the kit. I had a Pertronix points replacement unit on it before this and whilst it worked great, I (perhaps stupidly) went for something that I hoped would give better spark, hence burn, hence grunt....

Cheers,
Marc.

checked voltage supply ???
Was this the charge rate with motor running????

Hi Ian,

Checked voltage supply to the unit when running, yes. Between 12.5 and 13v This should be right??

Thanks

I'm so glad we have stayed with standard/original igntion systems!

is there anything out there that puts out great spark for a vw with big displacement and or turbo

12.5! sound low to me. needs to be between 13 and 14.

never the less it will still work fine on 12.5.

Ooops! Correction to the voltage! The 12.5 was without the engine running. 13.8 when running, battery full etc.

Have the new one out of the box now. Fitting it over the next couple of days so fingers crossed....

HI BB61
How is the new compufire system hold up. Interested as I just purchased one for a Manx. Fingers crossed

If Your engine starts first time every time...
then You have a good spark lol

I have the Pertronix in a New aircooled SVDA Distributor...
and the spark is fine and starts most times at first kick
BUT
I had a home built High Energy Ignition System in My beetle for a while and it started the engine First Time Every time...

until the points wore down and the rubbing block twisted and shorted it out.... and ZAP....
[they weren't bosch points]
the actual points surface was like new as very low voltage went thru the points...

The HEI put 32 volts into the coil... [3 ohm coil]
so, thats why it was so good...

LEE

I had one in my Manx many moons ago....nothing but trouble. Threw it in the bin and used an Allison/Crane system. Best thing since sliced bread

i had one. no probs at all.
and one thing the disX has its own coil, well twin coil pack.
i do have a new one but not for the old motor, its on
my new engine ready to go.

Hi all,

Update on this.

Compufire that I put on in the thread above lasted a couple of thousand k's only, then let me down on Stockton. Went to a crank fired EDIS Ford system.... bloody brilliant! Controlled with a Megajolt computer. Am now going to EFI so I need a computer for that, so I've got a megasquirt all ready to go when the EFI parts arrive. It can do the injection AND the EDIS ignition. No distributor at all now. Rock solid, programmable timing!

Cheers, Marc.