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Pertronix electronic ignition
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Red Ryder
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:41 pm    Post subject: Pertronix electronic ignition Reply with quote

Have many of you removed your distributor points in favor of an electronic ignition module? The search function was not helpful. I did this mod on a Porsche 914 with a 2.0 (air cooled) engine with satisfactory results. Thinking about doing it for my 2.1 Wasserboxer.
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Pertronix electronic ignition Reply with quote

Here's an existing topic

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=281144
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Howesight
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 2:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Pertronix electronic ignition Reply with quote

Neither of the 1.9 WBX nor the 2.1 WBX uses a points-type distributor.
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Red Ryder
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 3:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Pertronix electronic ignition Reply with quote

Howesight wrote:
Neither of the 1.9 WBX nor the 2.1 WBX uses a points-type distributor.

Confirmed. Thank you!
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AndrewBraun
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Pertronix electronic ignition Reply with quote

Well I recently took a leap of faith and fitted an SVDA with a Pertronix Ignitor module, which I did myself replacing points and condenser. I replaced the stock Bosch DVDA which I always had trouble timing properly with two Vacuum lines to the 34PICT3 carburetor (Bocar). Although I seem to have it sussed now.
The SVDA with the Pertronix is attached to the carburetor with one Vacuum line with the other vaccum port on the carburetor for the DVDA retard is plugged.
The coil is giving 3.4 Ohms resistance, as recommended for Pertronix.

Anyway the result of the Pertronix is as follows -
1) Car does not start any easier or better.
2) No discernible difference in pull away - in fact if anything I have more of a flat spot with the Pertronix.
3) Acceleration through the gears is actually not as good as the stock DVDA.
4) idle is smoother and more controllable.
5) The RPM on my VDO tachometer only shows a max of 3,000 at 60MPH..that doesn’t seem right to me. With the stock DVDA it was showing more like 4,000+. The tachometer readings itself are smoother now and not as erratic as with the stock DVDA.

I was hoping the electronic module and SVDA would make everything smoother but my conclusion after a few drives on the Pertronix is that I’m going to keep that SVDA as a back up if ever needed and retrofit my stock DVDA again.

With the DVDA it runs slightly more erratic but has better pulling power compared to the electronic, which according to what I’ve seen and read should actually be the opposite!

The timing on the DVDA was 5°ATDC at idle, the timing on the SVDA with Pertronix is 7.5°BTDC at idle and 28°C at max rpm (approx.3500rpm).

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Ahwahnee
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Pertronix electronic ignition Reply with quote

In my (non-VW) experience the main benefit of the Pertronix is in a distributor with slop in the shaft bearing. A worn bearing will cause the points gap to vary (which changes the timing slightly) giving uneven idle - the Pertronix doesn't much care about gap so the idle is steady.

Some don't like futzing with points but that seems to me to be a minor point and just part and parcel of old engines.
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