123tune mappable distributor
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Discussion

vx220

Original Poster:

2,725 posts

263 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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Anybody tried these?

Or even the 123ignition?

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

155 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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On anything in particular?

123 in general's very popular in the 2cv world - that's where it started off. Some initial poor reliability, but the suppliers were very good about replacing dead units, and I've not heard anything but mate-of-mate for years.

bstark

204 posts

162 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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Best thing we did to my other half's MG Midget was fit a 123 dizzy to replace the old points one.

vx220

Original Poster:

2,725 posts

263 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
TooMany2cvs said:
On anything in particular?
Just thinking of a classic DD, but not made my mind up yet. Not doing huge miles for work, so thought something "characterful" would make my journeys more interesting

vx220

Original Poster:

2,725 posts

263 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
My thought are mini/midget/mgb/GT6 biased

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

155 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
vx220 said:
Just thinking of a classic DD, but not made my mind up yet. Not doing huge miles for work, so thought something "characterful" would make my journeys more interesting
Find the right car first, then worry about what it might need...

Dbest92

300 posts

162 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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The 123 is a good piece of kit, just installed one on my MGB. Saves fiddling with points and worn distributor components, of which there are many! Seem to be (fingers crossed) fairly reliable! The 'tune' would need to be set up on a rolling road by someone who ideally knows that they are doing, the standard ones not so much, but it still takes to to find the best setting etc.

A lot of people do use a classic as a DD, but a lot of work is involved in upkeep and general preventative maintenance. Part of the problem is buying a decent one in the 1st place

vx220

Original Poster:

2,725 posts

263 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
I have "a man that can..." so maintenance no probs

However, I have an amazing ability to let my heart rule my head on a car purchase! So finding a good one will be tricky, I will fall in love with the first one I see

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

155 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
vx220 said:
I have "a man that can..." so maintenance no probs
If you're getting something old as a daily, you need to either learn to DIY or have very deep pockets.

The main reason to go for an electronic alternative to points is that modern condensers tend to be rubbish.

nta16

7,898 posts

263 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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oddest thread I've seen for a while - you're thinking of buying a fully electronic dissy and then fitting a car around it ????? biggrin

don't confuse electronic igniters that replace the nasty, fiddly, contact breaker points and condensers with a 123 dissy

the electronic igniters are only replacing two parts in a dissy the rest is still worn (out) with decades of use - the 123 is a fully new and electronic dissy, the whole thing not just part of the top

of course you're still only putting one new, good function part into a car that may have many other worn and worn out parts to it

unless you're having a track car you don't need a tunable 123

not all models of cars can have a 123

the best way to make a classic usable and reliable is to use it as a daily on reasonable length journeys but it will take some time, use, full and proper regular servicing, maintenance and possibly repairs

within about 12 months of regular use you should be all but there and after 2-4 years all the way there

most owners don't do regular use so all the gains they made are lost when the car languishes - one of the biggest faults with any classic is the previous and present owners it's these that often make or keep the classic unreliable, slow and poor handling

I've used various classics as dailies whilst at the same time also at the same time using them for club runs and weekend tours, holidays and a couple for 300 and 500 miles per week commutes for 20+ years and currently have a MG Midget as my only car

Edited by nta16 on Sunday 7th September 15:33

vx220

Original Poster:

2,725 posts

263 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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Will I be better sticking to an MX5/MR2?

nta16

7,898 posts

263 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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depends on you, what you want and expect, do it right and you could have a lots of fun, do it wrong and you could have a lot of misery

unless you want a total change then a Mini (not BMW of course) or a Spridget (MG Midget or AH Sprite) would suit a VX220 driver for driving fun

avoid the GT6 (I had one, big mistake, but fantastic to look at, from the outside) better choice is a BGT but more of a tourer

mph

2,376 posts

311 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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vx220 said:
Will I be better sticking to an MX5/MR2?
If you like MX5's then the answer is a definite yes.


lowdrag

13,183 posts

242 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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Have one on the E-type. Far easier to start from cold and no downside so far.

V8 FOU

3,023 posts

176 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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I've fitted these to a number of air cooled VW's, midget, Jaguar, etc - all brilliant.
To those who advocate points, I always ask if they have a black and white telly. Flat Earth Society members, usually....