Electronic Distributor Upgreade

[cplus]

Finishing with the engine rebuild and I am looking for opinons for the distributor. I am looking at the Crane XR 3000 Electronic Ignition System and their PS-40 High Performance Coil. Has anyone had any expereince with it? Or should I just get an old Distributor out of a late model and swap with the modual. The system now has a Jacobs electronic points box. I have a liitle paperwork on it but would rather dump the points system.

[MikeW]

Have you considered a Pertronix Ignitor? It replaces the points inside of your original distributor and is very easy to install. The only external difference is an extra wire running to the distributor.

[c david]

dump the points but use a 79-83 distributor. the money saved will buy a msd and msd brand coil and msd brand wires. if you ignitor goes bad, you can eliminate it as the msd will serve the same funtion.

the links below offer a lot of information.

cd

http://www.jrdemers.com/280ZX/distributor/distributor.html

http://www.geocities.com/zgarage2001/engine.html

[vercingetorix]

I had an xr3000 with stock distirbutor, getting the eye setup correctly with the rotor was a bit of a pain but it ran O.K.. Later I switched to a 280zx distributor with its built on electronic ignition and it is massively better!! Better power curve, better ignition ,easier starting and the bigger distributor cap prevents high power arcing inside the cap. I think I would spare the expense of the xr3000 and cut to the chase.

If you are dead set on the xr3000 I think I still have my complete set up including the distributor somewhere PM me if you're interested.

Best, H Houghton

[cplus]

I think I will go with the 280zx Dist. idea. Do I need a MSD Ignition with it or should I just go with the distributor and the stock modual? Thanks for the help! I am trying to get it together for the Z Fest but I might have to wait till next year.

[ChrisA]

Hi Jim,

I'm currently running the ZX dizzy (e12-80 module) alone on a 73. Works great.

Chris A.

[Arne]

Hi Jim,

I'm currently running the ZX dizzy (e12-80 module) alone on a 73. Works great.

Chris A.

Same here on a '71.

[c david]

the msd is an upgrade much like changeing the points to an electronic distributor. the msd, coil and wires will allow your car to run far smoother than without. you will get better fuel burn and for me, the car would start in a flash and never use the choke. i have even removed the choke linkage. to answer your question, no you do not need to have an msd but i for one will never run a car without one.

cdavid

[cplus]

Thanks for all the input and help. I am off to find parts!