More horsepower!

[moyest]

Hello 240Z owners,

I have a couple of queries about distributors and coils, in an attempt to gain more horsepower out of my L24 -

1. If I swap my standard 240 distributor and "sports" coil for a 280z (or zx) electronic distributor and coil, will that help driveability and/or horsepower?

2. If I reconnect the vacuum hose back to my distributor (or my NEW? 280 distributor), will I get more horsepower from the corresponding "advance" in the distributor?

If you don't know what I'm talking about, don't worry - I barely do either! But I heard that disconnecting the vacuum hose which runs from the intake manifold to the distributor (which I did when I added triple carbs and new manifold) means that my distributor will not operate to its maximum. Apparently I'd be missing out on a few degrees of "advance", and so I'm missing out on horsepower?! Damn, that was never intended!!!

What I need is for one of you engine techy people to write a BIG reply with everything you ever needed to know about distributors (including upgrades, if it's worth it).

I'll just sit here and wait... :cross-eye

[moyest]

Oh, and I forgot to mention -

I also heard that if I swap my standard 240 distributor (the "points" variety) for an electronic distributor from a 280z or 280zx, then my rev counter won't work any more!?

Apparently the old vs new distributor technology means that the rev counters for each will not work with the other :stupid:

BUT, all is not lost. I also heard that a few smarties can re-gig the old rev-counters to adapt them to new-fangled electronic distributors??

Can anyone shed any light on any of this??

[Bambikiller240]

I'm not the one to write a big article for you. but I can tell you that you'll gain drivability if you switch to some form of electronic distributor. Smoother acceleration and seemingly a tad more power (judging by the seat of my pants).

Either go with a 280Z or ZX distributor, or if your current distributor is in good shape, dump the points and condensor and pop in a Pertronix Ignitor (This is what I did). There is a article on installation of Pertronix in our Tech Articles forum.

If you decide to go the Pertronix route, I have a new kit that has been prepared for installation (wiring properly lengthened and connectors attached (soldered and shrink tubed) but is as yet unused. Send me a PM if you become interested.

[tanny]

I have triple webers on my 73 240z and switched to a 1980zx distributor and it seemed to me I lost a hair of performance, although that may have been my imagination(pessimist nature). I tried it with and without the vacuum line attached and it didn't make any difference in performance. However, I have the stock cam, so the engine really isn't taking advantage of the triples anyway, so any minor mods like the distributor were probably not going to do much. The one thing the electronic distributor did do was make the idle much smoother. Hooked it up as described in these forums and had no problem with the tach. Victor.

[Bunghole]

Anyone looking for a Pertronix ignitor should check out www.carshopinc.com.

$63.95 for the single point "Ignitor"

Victoria British charges $99 and change.

It was so cheap, I ordered it for Saturday delivery (tomorrow). I don't have much patience.