E12-80 vs. Pertonix??

[Marty Rogan]

I am in the process of putting an '83 L28 into my '71. The '71 distibutor has a Pertronix in it that I am pretty happy with. The L28 came with the newer electronic distributor, so it gives me the option to switch over to the E12-80 very easily. I would just have to pick up the module and swap it for the '83 module.

Is there any real benefit of using the E12-80 over the Pertronix? Or are they about the same?

TIA,

Marty

[Arne]

Personally, I should think that either one will give similar spark, as long as you are using a coil designed for electronic ignition. The biggest difference would probably be in the advance curve. The '71 dizzy *might* have a better curve than the later emissions-tuned dizzy. Or it might not, considering that the ZX's used catalysts to clean up the exhaust and might not have depended on tweaking the advance curve as much.

If it were me? Why spend money on an E12-80 if what you already have is good? If the Pertronix dizzy is good, I'd probably stick with it. If the advance unit on the Pertronix is showing its age though, I'd probably swap.

[jmortensen]

Actually all of the distributors with the E12-80 distributor have 17 degrees of mechanical advance. The 240 distributor has something over 20 degrees - 24 rings a bell but I'm not sure. So if you're not running vacuum advance (better not to on a hipo engine), then the E12-80 distributor will have a preferable curve, allowing more advance at idle, which gives better throttle response.

[jmortensen]

Also, you can run any number of modules with that EI distributor. I run mine straight to an MSD box with no module, but my understanding is that pretty much any module will work, including the GM HEI module which is something like $20 from any auto parts store.

Alternatively, you could also recurve the 240 distributor if you wanted.

[Marty Rogan]

I have really not had any trouble with the Pertronix dizzy. I am also using an MSD Blaster II coil. It is and would run the vacuum advance. The '83 L28 is basically stock. It will be running with the SU's, a port & polished intake and headers. Nothing too HiPo.

So far it's sounding like that isn't much if any advantage to making the swap.

Thanks for the input.

Marty