Dizzy swaps

[goodwoodweirdo]

Hi guys, need a little pointer… I have a mini which I fitted a 1275 cooper injection engine, (on carbs) into it … all is fine and I installed a later mini electronic dizzy, single wire to the positive and it works fantastically.


Now I also have a 1275 Austin Healey Sprite, which I making up an 1310cc engine, the block is from a Marina which I believe is an A series – not A+ … can I also fit a later mini electronic ignition to it ? if so which dizzy should I look for, will it need the curve adjusting and who can do this ..

Many thanks Matt

[Cooperman]

Aldon do an electronic ignition/dizzy for the A series.
I used to like these until i was at an event when a friend had an ignition problem. There was no spark. It had electronic ignition and a friend of mine who is a real Mini expert, one Will Sparrow who won the welsh International Rally in a Mini, the last man to win an international rally in one, and I tried to sort it out, without success. It had to be collected on a trailer and taken to an auto electrical specialist, then a new ign. pack ordered and fitted - all very expensive. Had it been a 'points type' we could have quickly isolated the problem, fitted a new condenser, points or rotor arm and solved the problem at virtually no cost. I'm now advising people to fit 'points type' ignition as it's so easy to service and fix. Yes, the poiints need adjusting/cleaning every few thousand miles, but it's so easy to do.

[Mr2Mike]

Cooperman said:

Had it been a 'points type' we could have quickly isolated the problem, fitted a new condenser, points or rotor arm and solved the problem at virtually no cost. I'm now advising people to fit 'points type' ignition as it's so easy to service and fix. Yes, the poiints need adjusting/cleaning every few thousand miles, but it's so easy to do.

However, the main problem with point ignition is performance; by it's very nature you get a weaker spark at higher engine speeds when you most need a good spark.

In the above scenario, if you have carried a spare ignition module you could have solved the problem just as easily.

[Cooperman]

I'm sure that is true. However, it is easier to diagnose the problem with points as you can actually see the spark, or not, as the case may be.
The actual performance advantage is so minimal that you would only notice it in terms of decimals of seconds per lap under track conditions. I'm only allowed points ignition on my 1964 'S' for Historic rallies, and I still get 117 bhp at 6400. How much more do I need? My problem is traction compared to things like 911's, Lotus Cortinas, etc.

[fikus01]

http://www.lynxae.co.uk/

mite be worth giving thse folk a shout, they can modify dizzys to suite yor car!