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Sun Jun 19, 2005 8:17 pm

good idea to put the petronix ignitor in my 010 dist instead of points? pros -cons?

Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:33 pm

I had one in mine- it was great. At the price of a set of points for the 010 these days it's a good alternative.
Pertronix has a good support for those IF you had a failure of the module. Though I've only heard of a couple failing due to something besides people error.

Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:11 pm

Personally... i'm a "points" guy. I've never had a problem and with alittle maint, points last 15,000 or more miles.

The price of points? I get genuine Bosch points for under $10. The Pertronix for a 010 is $100. So even if I change my points every year... that's ten years before I break even. And will you get 10 years out of a Pertronix? I've seen a few of them crapout and leave the driver on the side of the road.

Mon Jun 20, 2005 4:12 pm

Holy crap! I must be ADHD because I usually rebuild my whole engine out of boredom or get a different car every 5000 miles.
I agree tho, pertronix is overkill and pretty much only if you have that kind of cash to spend on extra stuff.
I put it in my 912 in the 022 cuz I wanted to eliminate possible running problems and i got it cheap.

Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:18 pm

Glenn wrote: Personally... i'm a "points" guy. I've never had a problem and with alittle maint, points last 15,000 or more miles.

The price of points? I get genuine Bosch points for under $10. The Pertronix for a 010 is $100. So even if I change my points every year... that's ten years before I break even. And will you get 10 years out of a Pertronix? I've seen a few of them crapout and leave the driver on the side of the road.

I got lucky and scored mine for $65. Now the same place wants the usual ~$105 for it. If you look around you might be able to score one for less. I keep points with me as a back up. As well as the 009 that came with my bus for backup.

Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:25 am

Glenn wrote: , points last 15,000 or more miles.

Ya but a set of points will begin to deteriorate the instant you start the engine to the point that they make the engine run like crap at 10k miles. A Pertronix provides perfect triggering of the ignition for it's entire life.

Here's the Pertronix:

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PER%2D1844

Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:47 am

hey guys I personally think the pertronix are cheap junk. I have seen way too many fail. I use the crane fireball units come witha CDI box and work very well. I have one in my 67 bug that has been in there for over 15 years and hasnt ever had a problem . I highly recomend it in the 914s as they are a PITA to set the points and timing on . later Mark

Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:54 am

Bruce wrote: Glenn wrote: , points last 15,000 or more miles.

Ya but a set of points will begin to deteriorate the instant you start the engine to the point that they make the engine run like crap at 10k miles. A Pertronix provides perfect triggering of the ignition for it's entire life.

Here's the Pertronix:

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PER%2D1844

Then how come I have ove 14,000 miles on the points in mine?

The reason is i'm using a Berg Ignitor CDI system. The points are just a trigger and carry no voltage. So they don't arc or pit. I gap them at .010" (.25mm) and i lube the cam at every oil change. They also don't float and i've tested them on a Sun 504 distributor maching and ran them to 8500rpm. Well past what most street engines will run.

Also points give notice that they are wearing and might fail. A pertronix just craps out without warning.

Pertronix is not a bad idea, but at $100 I can buy enough sets of points to last me 150,000 miles.

Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:52 am

I've run almost all of the system's here except for Glenn's Berg CDI system including most recently a Pertronix setup for my MGB. I noticed improved performance as soon as I turned the key after installing it. It idled more smoothly and I could actually see a much more consistant flash on my timing light compared to the somewhat spuratic flash with points installed.

I don't know about longevity yet but I carry a new set of points and condensor just in case which I would anyways if I was still running points. I have had a Compufire unit leave me dead on the side of the road one time so I've been leary of drop in ignition units since.

I ran the Crane Fireball system in a 912 I used to own and it was excellent but not cheap. It functioned flawlessly the entire time I had it.

I've got a lot of respect for Glenn and drive on several of his rebuilt distributors but I'm not sure his cost comparison is valid since I think his Berg CDI is probably largely responsible for his success with stock points. As he mentioned, his points are mearly a trigger for the CDI and don't arc as they normally do so they won't pit like they normally would. That Berg unit is probably at least as much as the Pertronix. Sorry Glenn, not trying to step on toes.

Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:01 am

Envious wrote: Sorry Glenn, not trying to step on toes.

No toe stepping. The Berg unit is $135... when in stock.

But you can't consider a Pertronix the same as a CDI system. The Pertronic simply replaces the points. It does not increased the spark. A CDI system provides a much hotter spark.

Getting a Pertronix is a no brainer if you don't feel comfortable with points. When they work, they are great. Smoother starts, more stable dwell and no maint. But when they fail... you better have a set of points and condenser or you'll be walking.

When it comes to a "real" electronic ignition... then I don't think the Pertronix really matters.

But if you want the a really nice setup, go with the Mallory Unilite and control box. Maximum flexability and performance.

Here's the best price i've found on the Pertronix for the 010:
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PER%2D1844

Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:09 pm

There seem to be a lot of Petronix failure stories on the Porsche chat groups. I've always had good luck with the Allison/Crane optical units, which I almost always used in my dual-ignition distibutors. I'm sure there are other reliable units available.