I am fed up...

[EScanlon]

...Anyways, seriously, I would consider a 1980-81 280zx stock distributor, you can get a new one from MSA with the electronic box on the side of it (its built in) (I think they're new, maybe reman)...anyways, I'm going to be getting one, its a simple bolt on, get a better coil, and you have the reliability of the nissan distributor to boot!

Brian:

This is probably the best idea.

Not sure why you have the Mallory, but unless there's a specific need, I would swap it out.

I was originally going to suggest you talk to Matt up here by me on 99th, but I don't know that he works on non-stock equipment. You'd have to ask him.

Hope you get it running in time for Blue Lake. Beandip and I hope to have his there.

Enrique

[Bambikiller240]

The unilite electronic dist is over $600, I wonder how much better is it than the ZX distributor? Anyone know post please!

Carl Beck would be one person to ask as he's had one in one of his Z's for many, many years.

For the money, I'd probably go the ZX dist route, or a Pertronix conversion of a 240Z rebuilt distibutor if you wanted the OEM look.

[justaZcarguy]

I think that the best idea is the ZX set up, and for the $300 does not seem too bad, I think that finding the correct Dizzy from a junkyard car may be tough although possible... It seems that Beandip found one not too long ago.

Anyone know of any for sale?

And, in the event that I DO decide to throw the car on a scope, anyone have suggestions regarding the portland area for a decent tech?

Thanks all,

I am going to figure this dang thing out yet!

B

[Gav240z]

Hey Brian,

I'll agree the ZX distributor is the best option. If you do get one from a junk yard the advance plate will probably be stuffed because of a plastic ball bearing cage beneath it that breaks and lets the ball bearings go everywhere.

You also need to remove the dizzy shaft and clean it up so it spins nice and freely.

Anyway i wouldn't say there is a huge advantage of the other distributor set up you mentioned. The best upgrade from there is to go with no distributor and have it electronically controls by coil packs. That way you can control your engine advance at certain rpm's.

Go the ZX module and probably best money wise investment is the $300 reco one.

[justaZcarguy]

Thanks Gav!

I agree, now to find one.

Somehow I enjoy this madness, which worries me a bit... :stupid:

[dogma420]

I was thinking of getting a used ZX dist from a u pull it or a junk yard, but heck, I think its great peace of mind to know that everything in my dist is new, for $300...I feel that my old 72's performance is based on how good a spark this old girl gets...so the 300 investment is not bad; I probably won't have to replace it again, so why not? I mean if I spent $250 on sway bars, why not 300 on one of the most important electrical accessories on my car?

Escalon---

What is happening at Blue Lake? I am a Portland Native, currently living in Sherwood (Between Newberg and Tigard)...let me know when you and Beandip are going to be there...

Also, PM me on who your mechanic is...I am interested in some engine work, and was asking Beandip for a reference and he never got back to me. Thanks Escalon (sp?)...

[240ZX]

Regarding the price of a Mallory Unilite from MSA....they are overcharging by about $250.00 (U.S.)!!! I purchased one from Summit Racing for about $350.00 and recieved it in less than a week. The unit works flawlessly. I have it in my 1970, along with a MSD Blaster coil and Magnacore KV85 wires. When Mallory first came out with these units, they had some reliablity issues, but that was back then. The old problem is not an issue anymore. Beside working really well, they just look way cool...machined from billet aluminum with nice red cap...for what ever thats worth!!? If anyone is interested I will dig out the Unilte part number for them tonight when I get home from work.

[Zrush]

I second what Tom said. Check your local speed shop. We purchased ours for $305.00. Mallory Unilite, MSD Blaster 2 coil, MSD 6AL ignition and MSD Superconductor 8.5mm wires. Works flawlessly.

...........and yes they are RED

Vicky

[dogma420]

Zcar guy:

I just scanned the page in the Motorsport Auto's catalog that has the 280zx distributor listed...it's in my gallery, click here as of 9:30 am on Tues it's pending approval.

79-81 Distributor $259.95 plus $60 core ....$319.95 part # 12-4025

82-83 N/A Distributor $259.95 plus $60 core ....$319.95 part # 12-4026

I wonder which one would be better? or even the turbo? (below)

82-83 Turbo Distributor $298.00 plus $60 core ....358.00 part # 12-4027T

I personally don't understand the jargon, but this page Jason's Dizzy page has specs for all of the Z distributors...maybe someone can interpret these numbers to see which of the 3 dist's from above would be best to get.

I would think you already have a catalog with all the goodies on your cars, but if you don't, their website is www.zcarparts.com . If you buy anything, request they send you a catalog at the same time. Lots of good stuff in the magazine, although its best to ask in this forum before purchasing any high price stuff; they sometimes don't have the best price on the same exact parts (see Victoria British).

A great site that introduced me to the idea of using a 280ZX distributor is http://www.jrdemers.com/280ZX/distributor/distributor.html. The information on this site isn't large in length, but I feel its a great read if you own a Zed.

Hope this information helps, also another idea is to sell your mallory dist in the classifieds on this webpage once you replace it...My hunch is the racers would appreciate getting one at a good price.

Sorry to ramble, but I'm between jobs this week and don't have much of anything else better to do!

Have a Zedful day guys,

[justaZcarguy]

I priced the Unilite from Baxters and found that it was 500 plus bucks and thought forget that. If it is indeed $300 roughly, I would consider that, the car already has the mallory pro coil... There is also a capacitive discharge box on the set up that gives me a bad feeling, I have YET to figure out why a person would go to all this expense in the heartbeat and leave the damn ballast there???? I swear this is ignition.

And dogma, I am in hillsboro, if you want to know about blue lake I can fill ya in....

And I know of a few mechanics, I just need the next one to have a good idea / scope of what this issue is, I can throw you a few names.

B

[dogma420]

YES! I would like the mallory information, as if it's the same price, I'd rather get the mallory!

[dogma420]

Z car guy, PM me...my 72 is a 10/71 production Zed, and has 160k on it, original 100% motor (2.4L original SUs, Good E88 head)...I'm looking into rebuilding as my rings are shot (smokes)..runs but compression is compromised...I'm looking into a couple of different options, depending upon price...Either just rebuilding the lower end 2.4 and putting a good cam with header/exhaust with the dist I've been talking about....or doing a 2.8 block with a 280 head or with my E88...or doing a 3.1 with my E88 head or 280 block...consistently, I want to keep SUs, my 78 5 speed, and the electronic ignition I am about to get.

By the way...if I can get the mallory distributor unilite for ~$300, wow, I would get that. But I'm pretty clueless on the other items (like Vicky said)...can you guys/gals give me a little education?

THANKS! :-)