Bluetooth (123 ignition) distributor installation questions

[metahacker]

[surfbus23]

I’ll add that the 123 is so worth the extra dollars spent. What’s a quality rebuilt distributor cost? $250. Been down that road. Also the Pertronix road. As I run Weber 40s the programmable MAP was the biggest game changer. Couldn’t get vacuum to activate on ported manifold with my stock distributor and with the 123 I get to just run it off a very nice signal from manifold vacuum and tell it not to start at idle.

Seems like a no brainer to me and glad others are talking about it.

I also got hit by the spacer problem only I was in Bolivia. Took my measurements to some local machinist and had him cut me a custom one.

[airschooled]

Fantastic place to decide to install new tech! I prefer messing around in my own garage 😊

If you’re fortunate enough to have a Type 1 with adjustable distributor pinion end play, timing scatter is entirely eliminated and you can run a few extra degrees of advance because you KNOW it’s stopping at 32*, not scattering somewhere around 30…

For tunability and high performance applications I think it’s the most important aftermarket part available today, besides H4 headlights and a third brake light. For stock applications it won’t pay for itself over a good Echlin point set, but you bet your donkey I’m going 123 if I convert from carb to FI.

Robbie
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One-on-one tech help for your vintage Volkswagen:

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[boxer74]

Still loving my 123. Going to be using it with Holley Sniper EFI shortly.

As a somewhat pricey alternative to the spacer required, you can use this:

https://www.csp-shop.com/en/electric/distributor-clamp-cagero-billet-905-251-123c-31551a.html

Spacer and billet clamp all in one!
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74 Super
84 Westy

[aeromech]

The OP shipped me his bus from SFO to SAN last week. He has a pair of Weber 40idf’s on order from Blackline racing in Idaho. My question is after I install the new carbs ($1600 complete kit) will I be able to port suitable vacuum to his 123 ignition distributor? I have zero experience with this new fangled dizzy.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[boxer74]

[aeromech]

Thanks for the tip
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[metahacker]

123 made a new BUS specific version of the 123

they externalized the bluetooth TX/RX module .. so that you have a better signal (in a bus where the engine bay is a mini faraday cage 13ft away)

pretty cool
https://123ignition.com/product/tuneplus-4-r-v-v-ext-blue/

[kubicixfactor]

Interesting that they've updated it, I've still got my new 123 Bluetooth on the bench to fit - assuming everyone with the standard model has problems with the bluetooth signal getting from the engine bay up to the dash?
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1973 LHD Westy 2.0l Type IV, Twin Solex PDSIT, 123 Ignition Vac Distributor, CB2201 Cam, Vintage Speed exhaust (not that impressed).

[metahacker]

with the old version, it works fine for programming, that's not really an issue

but, for me, running the "Dashboard" with all the gauges has intermittent connectivity when the trunk full of cargo

[KernowBear]

Great topic and really informative to those that need to set one up as they can be confusing if you are changing from a 009 to a 123.

I’m in the same boat I’m able to control the unit but unable to get the gauges to connect when my phone is mounted on the dash, and was wondering if there are any options, has anyone used a 12v Bluetooth extender that may boost the signal?