Hot Spark Ignition

[SteveJ]

Max McCroskey at Resurrected Classics told me about this ignition at the ZCON People's Choice Show. It's like the Pertronix but at a much lower cost.

Hot Spark Ignition for Hitachi

They even offer volume pricing. It's cheap enough to order a couple of extra to keep as spares. https://www.ebay.com/itm/323788985736

Disclaimer: I have not used the Hot Spark ignition, and I have not installed it on anybody's car. I cannot speak to the quality or reliability of it.

[w3wilkes]

Is there a difference between the 4 Cyl you posted vs this 6 Cyl?

Electronic Ignition Conversion Kit for Datsun/Nissan, 240Z, 6-cyl Hitachi Dist | eBay

[SteveJ]

4 minutes ago, w3wilkes said:

Is there a difference between the 4 Cyl you posted vs this 6 Cyl?

Electronic Ignition Conversion Kit for Datsun/Nissan, 240Z, 6-cyl Hitachi Dist | eBay

Yep, I'm sure there is. I wasn't paying close enough attention to the link after I copy the wrong part number and pasted into ebay. Thanks for catching that!

[Zed Head]

It looks like a version of the Pertronix I but doesn't seem to have the features of the Pertronix II.  It needs the ballast and/or a 3.0 ohm coil.  Not "high-energy", current-limiting.  It could probably be used to trigger a Crane or MSD ignition module.  I wonder if it gets damaged if you leave the key on like the Pertronix I.  

Definitely a money-saver though.  Looks like you have to buy the coil separately.  About $70 + $40 = $110.  Versus $150.

https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/12-4020B

[Zed Head]

Some odd comments about charging voltage.  The 240Z can generate up to 15 volts.  An internally regulated alternator is typically 13.8 to 14.3.  

Pick, pick, pick...

https://www.hot-spark.com/Installing-Hot-Spark-Hitachi.pdf

It might be a sensitive system -

"Test Maximum Charging System Voltage: If the charging system voltage, measured at the coil’s positive terminal, is more than 14.0 volts at any RPM level, the voltage regulator likely needs replacing. Too much voltage can destroy the ignition module and other electronic components. A maximum charging system voltage of 13.0 volts or so is plenty. A quick fix is to wire a 1.4 Ohm external ballast resistor between the coil's + terminal and the HotSpark ignition's red wire. Adding the ballast resistor is cheap insurance against voltage surges, etc"

Edited August 2, 2022 by Zed Head
spelling

[Zed Head]

If you use your own coil it's about $70 versus $108.

I just remembered something I saw on Rockauto a while ago.  There are other versions of the "conversion" kit out there.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/nissan,1973,240z,2.4l+l6,1209170,ignition,ignition+conversion+kit,11340

This Standard product even has green tape.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=50053&cc=1209170&pt=11340&jsn=375

Edited August 2, 2022 by Zed Head
big S

[w3wilkes]

49 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

This Standard product even has green tape.

Maybe the green tape means GoesFast? 😇

[SteveJ]

54 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

It looks like a version of the Pertronix I but doesn't seem to have the features of the Pertronix II.  It needs the ballast and/or a 3.0 ohm coil.  Not "high-energy", current-limiting.  It could probably be used to trigger a Crane or MSD ignition module.  I wonder if it gets damaged if you leave the key on like the Pertronix I.  

Definitely a money-saver though.  Looks like you have to buy the coil separately.  About $70 + $40 = $110.  Versus $150.

https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/12-4020B

The 3 ohm coil wouldn't drop the voltage for the ignition. I do agree that the "13 volts is enough" line isn't exactly right. You are correct that it similar to the Pertronix I. It would work for a lot of people, too.

 

[Zed Head]

It drops current.  Lower spark energy for similar time.

It's interesting.