Electronic Ignition Distributor

[d2alfa]

Currently on my TR4a I have a lucas 40795 model 25D4.

Considering buying an electronic distributor such as 123 or CSI.

Any advice would be welcomed.

What does Optimised or Tunes mean?

Regards

David

[Fireman049]

Hi David ~

 

I fitted an Albertronic 123 distributor to my 3A and am very pleased with it.

If you decide to take this route then a word of warning.

​You should fit a vacuum pipe incorporating a vapour trap in it.

This is to prevent fuel being drawn into the distributor which will destroy it.

 

The vapour trap should be fitted in an upward direction. (see photo.).

 

Tom.

 

 

 

Edited April 15, 2016 by Fireman049

[d2alfa]

Thanks Tom,

Where did you get the vapour trap please?

David

[Fireman049]

Hi David ~

 

I got the vacuum pipe with the vapour trap from Moss.

The one (like mine) with one female and one slip-on fitting ~ part No. 12H733.

(See page 88 in the Moss catalogue).

 

The '123' distributor takes the slip-on fitting.

 

Tom.

[Mark1965TR4aBRG]

Just pop the lumenition in - takes 10 mins and works a treat.

 

I've binned the vacuum pipe - most don't work anyway.

[d2alfa]

Thanks for the information

Regards

David

[tim hunt]

David,

 

I had some communication with Albertronic last year and took the opportunity of checking the need for a vacuum trap. As you can see I was told not needed.

 

Tim

 

From: Ron Tettero [sales@albertronic.com]
Sent: 31 August 2015 08:38
To: Tim Hunt
Subject: Re: Fwd: Techical query

Hi Tim,

Yes, when the light comes on, the spark plug fires.
It is not necessary to mount a sort of trap in the vacuum line.

Best regards,

Ron


Op 28-Aug-15 om 16:40 schreef Tim Hunt:

Just for my information, in STEP 3: when the green LED light just illuminates
does this correspond to the exact point at which the spark plug fires? I have also been
told that it is necessary to incorporate a trap of some sort in the vacuum tube in order
to prevent the possibility of petrol/vapour being drawn into the distributor. I saw
nothing in the installation instructions about this and to be honest have had no
problems in the last eight years!

I attach photos of my car and the 123 installed.

Regards,

Tim

[TR4A1965]

I have fitted a 123. So far so good but we have the detail work to do. Seeing the read out on your PC is pretty impressive and you can alter the curves yourself.

 

Has a facility to attach a switch for sport mode or general driving. Wast of time considering we are always in sport mode - right?:-)

 

On my website you can see quite a bit of information on the 123 http://tr4a.weebly.com/ignition.html

 

Hope it helps.

 

Best

 

Paul.

Edited April 21, 2016 by TR4A1965

[Peter Cobbold]

I have fitted a 123. So far so good but we have the detail work to do. Seeing the read out on your PC is pretty impressive and you can alter the curves yourself.

 

Has a facility to attach a switch for sport mode or general driving. Wast of time considering we are always in sport mode - right?:-)

 

On my website you can see quite a bit of information on the 123 http://tr4a.weebly.com/ignition.html

 

Hope it helps.

 

Best

 

Paul.

Paul,

Those 'sport and general modes' - do 123 supply curves for them? and does it need the vacuum take-off connected from inlet manifold?

Peter

[TriumphV8]

If it must be a 123 I would go for the "tune" version that allows

to set the rpm based advance and the manifold pressure based

advanced in a free programmable curve from a laptop.

 

Its a bit more work but all the discussions if the preprogrammed curves

of the 123ignition perfectly fit dont matter any more with that.

 

Also we learned that different cams generate different manifold pressure

what is the base for the part throttle advance.

123 ignition has there no provision to swap curves or make it fit for the cam.

So if a non stock cam is fitted the stock part throttle advance will not fit perfect.

 

The tune version is also necessary for carbs without the common pickup

of MAP that provides no suction at idle. The tune can compensate that

because its work can be started from a certain rev on and is useless at idle.

 

So up to first question it must be decided if only the spark itself will be

generated electronically or if also the timing will be made electronically.

 

The 123 tune has also the provision to switch between two free programmed curves.

If you call it sport or street or good or bad fuel is up to the owner but it helps to find

the best setup during driving because one can switch the curves on the roads and

notice immedeately the difference.

Edited April 22, 2016 by TriumphV8

[mike3md]

David,

 

Not a personal recommendation (still using points, at least they go wrong slowly....), but others in our group reckon this works well - less expensive, albeit less wide ranging solution:

 

http://www.accuspark.co.uk/Blackbox.htm

 

Mike

[TriumphV8]

Thats the "Cheap Charly" brother of the Megasquirt.

The main thing that is missing is the part throttle advance

including the throttle position or the manifold pressure signal.

 

Many other things are missing, too.

Not the right time to mention all but I would not vote for this.

 

If not familiar with electronics 123 is the solution,

if perfect setup is requiered MS is a milestone and

if only a cheap substitute for points is needed

the accuspark for 30GBP is okay.

[TR4A1965]

Paul,

Those 'sport and general modes' - do 123 supply curves for them? and does it need the vacuum take-off connected from inlet manifold?

Peter

Hi Peter, 123 do not supply curves. It is more about creating your own or altering the existing ones when on the rolling road etc?

The vacuum take off goes to the SU carb take off - we have HS6 SU not 175 Strombergs.

 

Best Paul