78Z to 83ZX distributor swap

[78sid]

I was at the local u-pull it yard yesterday and found an 83zx and a 77z sitting almost beside each other. Damn shame....

 

I've seen a lot of posts about the ZX distributor upgrade on here and on Blue's tech tips so when I noticed the ZX had a good looking distributor still there, I pulled it with the wiring. $5.

 

When I set down to review the process on Blue's site, I noticed that the real advantage seems to be related to the limiting ballast which doesn't seem to exist on a 78. My car runs fine. Basically stock. I was trying to make it just a little better, but I'm wondering if there is any advantage to this swap.

 

Thanks for any insight.

[Zed Head]

Probably not a benefit.  And the vacuum advance curve of the 83 may be different.  Looks like it has a dual stage curve, I can't remember exactly how it works.  I think it uses the high vac advance when EGR is actuated so you'd probably be on the 10 degree curve if you just use one vacuum port, as opposed to the 15 or 18 degrees of your 78.

 

On the other hand, that 77 distributor will work just fine with your 78 ignition module.  If the breaker plate bearings and other parts are good, it would be worth getting, for a spare.

 

Also, note that the 83 probably uses an E12-92 or -93 module (ID should be molded in to the module case), which takes extra wiring to work right, as opposed to the E12-80 module.

 

Of course, if any of the engines use a rebuilt distributor, all of this may be different.  The rebuilders don't match specs. exactly.

 

Stuff to think about...

 

 

[78sid]

Thanks. The distributor is a D6K81-01 but it appears to have a E12-92 ignition module although it is stamped only as IGM-08. It has two separate connections. I think I'm going to tackle another project and just be glad it only cost me $5 dollars and some time in the hot sun.

Edited September 6, 2015 by 78sid

[rcb280z]

What kind of shape was the 77 in? Anything worth salvaging? 

[78sid]

On the 77, the car had been gone over, but I pulled the tach for a club member, speedometer, combination and turn signal switch (ALWAYS), some key trim pieces, and also the door window frames(decent shape). I also got the rear engine lift point which I have never seen before.

[rcb280z]

Did you notice if the EFI harness was still there? And I'm going to be pulling my motor soon and could use one of those rear engine lift brackets if you have an extra one.

Edited September 7, 2015 by rcb280z