TheSamba.com :: View topic - Any reviews on EMPI electronic sva distributor?

Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:15 am

I know EMPI doesn't have the best name for distributors, but does anyone have any experience with the electronic vacuum advance model? The catlog says it's new, and I wasn't able to find any feedback using the search feature. Here's a lionk:

http://www.empius.com/vwcatalog/2011/116.html

Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:21 am

I like that the ad shows a Sun Distributor Tester. Are they implying that everyone is tested and adjusted or are they just showing the machine to confuse potential buyers.

On the specific distributor you asked about I see a problem with the amplifier being attached to the distributor body and not allowing you to rotate it enough to set the ignition timing if your distributor drive shaft is not installed correctly which is pretty common.

If it's anything like they're 009 clone, I would not waste my money.

Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:38 pm

Gotta love that clear distributor cap too!! \:D/

Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:40 pm

DarthWeber wrote: Gotta love that clear distributor cap too!! \:D/
That's so you can see if its firing the spark plugs when you're adjusting it on the side of the road at night.

Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:30 pm

Glenn wrote: I like that the ad shows a Sun Distributor Tester. Are they implying that everyone is tested and adjusted or are they just showing the machine to confuse potential buyers.

On the specific distributor you asked about I see a problem with the amplifier being attached to the distributor body and not allowing you to rotate it enough to set the ignition timing if your distributor drive shaft is not installed correctly which is pretty common.

If it's anything like they're 009 clone, I would not waste my money.

Don't blame a poor engine assembly for a possible problem for a new product.

Has anyone run one yet and actually tried one out?

brad

Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:30 pm

Glenn wrote: I like that the ad shows a Sun Distributor Tester. Are they implying that everyone is tested and adjusted or are they just showing the machine to confuse potential buyers.

On the specific distributor you asked about I see a problem with the amplifier being attached to the distributor body and not allowing you to rotate it enough to set the ignition timing if your distributor drive shaft is not installed correctly which is pretty common.

If it's anything like they're 009 clone, I would not waste my money.

I have a hard time believing EMPI knows how to properly run that machine.. :lol:

Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:58 pm

But Glenn
It has to be good, it comes complete with...

"O-Ring and high luster ball burnished type finish"

Casey

Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:14 pm

at a price of 70$, it's a pretty good deal
Just the firing module alone often costs that much, or more

I'd roll the dice on it, there's a good chance at least some parts of it are usable

Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:12 pm

I'd give my bread to Glenn Ring to restore a good old Bosch distributor before I'd even consider the empi one. :wink:
Even if I had to eat bologna sandwiches for a week!
Without bread!!

Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:46 pm

I would guess that the difference between that and a german bosch svda is probably not noticeable, you can find used svda's for less money though.

Replacing the distributor with a crank trigger system is actually worth while, there are a bunch of fancy distributors out there but they still rely on a drive gear to spin them

Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:06 pm

There is nothing wrong with a distributor, the vw drives it off the crank so it works a heck of a lot more stable than a v-8

It is either a good deal or moron bait. Who will be the first to bite?
I'd like to know what kind of pickup it has, if it can run other igniters that could be useful

Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:35 am

I don't think it will clear & fit in type 3 applications, its a tight fit

Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:47 am

Seems to me a Comp-U-Fire or Pertonix does same thing without big ugly box on side.... Unless "BOX" offers something like Capacity Discharge firing of coil, which I do not see mentioned....

Dale

Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:40 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1261185
$69, Is that the price for quality?

Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:09 pm

Glenn wrote: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1261185
$69, Is that the price for quality?

The old saying, "Buy the best and cry once", applies here.

I'd hate to be crying 800 miles from home without a back up for this puppy.

Also, no sweat shop labor was used in the making of this product. :roll:

Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:41 pm

To put it in perspective I am replacing an older EMPI centrifugal advance model. I don't think this one had any ridiculous advance on it. With a timing light it advances and returns nicely. It is a little unsteady at full advance, and I'm thinking it's just wearing.
The EMPI one on it has thousands of miles that I've put on it, with no problems. I just thought I would see what people thought of this one, if the advance curve was well suited for a stockish dp 1600, etc. I'm swapping out the body of my 34-3 for one that has usable vacuum ports, and figured I might save a couple miles per gallon if I picked up the SVA model.

Honestly my car has a bunch of chinese parts, I don't race, but I do a fair bit of offroading, and I'm pretty happy with all my EMPI stuff. It is what it is. And for a third of the price I don't have a big problem replacing it in a few years.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:42 am

Seriously, if the electronic module or the non-standard vacuum advance to fail - does Empi even stock replacements?

Hopefully, the rotor and cap are interchangeable with Bosch units.

I drive several hundred miles to get to BLM and Forest Service roads in the areas where I camp. Those roads are in the middle of nowhere, unpaved and rocky.

Just to put in a been there, done that perspective - I do use a breakerless module, but there is no way that I'd do a trip to a wilderness area without a back-up distributor in my spare parts kit.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:25 pm

I was wondering about the pickup in particular, just because it seems more exposed than a petronix type. I would assume its interchangeable with Bosch caps/rotors. Why would they go to the trouble of making a whole different body and style when theyve already got factories that make the 009 style which does interchange with Bosch. I was assuming there wasnt room in the body for the pickup or something. I dont really know a bunch about distributors, thats why I was posting the question. For all I know the a SVDA is a different diameter than a 009, EMPI was saving money by using the same body as their 009 and the external pickup is a result of that.

I already know that an EMPI probably isnt going be as nice as a rebuilt 019, and I'm fine with that. I take the buggy on some pretty good road trips with trails anywhere along the way. I've made my peace with the fact that at any given moment I might break a ball joint, jump my belt, lose a tire, or grenade the entire engine. If I got too carried away with what ifs I wouldnt drive a sixty year old air-cooled economy car converted into an offroad vehicle as a daily driver.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 2:47 pm

if you want and SVDA here's your options

#1 good condition or rebuilt German.

#2 Mex from reputable dealer - I believe this is what Aircooled.net sells and I am pretty sure CIP1 has Mex as well as the cheaper ones, but they identify them so you can stay away from it.

#3 there is no third choice.

It's like this - you have how much money in your car and you want to scrimp on a critical piece like a distributor.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:53 pm

I've had many different distributors and carb combinations on my engines, i keep going back to a mechanical distributor. I tried both svda and dvda with points and electronic ignition but an old german 009 and my trusty 019 do the job better.