240Z Electronic Ignition upgrade

[240ZMan]

I have a '73 240Z with the stock ignition system that I want to upgrade to electronic ignition. I've seen this discussion before, but still have a few questions that I'm hoping someone in the group can help answer.

1. What are the merits of going to a 280z distributor vs. adding a new pickup to my existing distributor?

2. Does anyone have experience with the MSD 6A and Crane XR3000 units? The MSD seems more popular, but the Crane comes with a kit to replace the points on my existing distributor, and is also cheaper.

3. How important is it to replace/upgrade the coil?

4. Should I expect any issues with my stock plug wires if I do all these upgrades?

The rest of my engine is currently stock except for carbs which are 72 SUs.

Thanks,

Daniel

[bryantatem]

1. New distributer VS new pickups = new has new bearings whereas replacing pickups on an old dizzy can give wobble. The Zeds are notorious for wobble.

2. MSA is cheaper for that fact, it replaces points on the existing...

3. I would replace / upgrade the coil. Not much cost, no electrical loss... remember the car is around 30 years old.

4. If your stock wires are good (no cracks or electrical loss) they should hold up fine unless you get soem kind of radical coil.

This is a good upgrade that will also give you reliability and a better drive. Also, for the gain and benefit, the cost is not too bad.

[Doehring]

The Pertronix Ignitor works fine, is easy to install and not so expensive

Rolf

[mdbrandy]

Anyone have experience dropping a 280ZX distributor with the E12-80 ignition module into a 240Z? Zgarage tells how to do it, and says it's a good swap, but I was wondering if anyone on the list has one...

Thanks.

[Victor Laury]

Anyone have experience dropping a 280ZX distributor with the E12-80 ignition module into a 240Z?

As a matter of fact - in this tired photo, used today in another thread, you can see my NA ZX EI Dizzy and Coil.

[mdbrandy]

Originally posted by Victor Laury

As a matter of fact - in this tired photo, used today in another thread, you can see my NA ZX EI Dizzy and Coil.

Great! I take it that you like the results? I ask mainly since I picked up a 1980 280ZX distributor, coil, and E12-80 ignition module for $71, and I was hoping it would be a good choice. From what I have read, it sounded like it was. Essentially just a drop-in ignition system-wise? The Zgarage article indicates that you can't use the 240Z tach, and have to go with a 280Z tach, but since I have a 280Z parts car sitting in my garage :classic: , that seemed not to be a problem either.

Anyway, any tricks or things I might not know about beyond the Zgarage article would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[m240]

I know they say you can't use the original tach if you switch to electronic, but I used a 280zx dist in my 73 and the tach worked fine. Try the original tach first before switching it out.

Mark

[mdbrandy]

Originally posted by m240

I know they say you can't use the original tach if you switch to electronic, but I used a 280zx dist in my 73 and the tach worked fine. Try the original tach first before switching it out.

Mark

Interesting. I wonder why they say it doesn't work? I'll have to investigate the circuit when I get into it. Are you sure the tach in your car was original?

Thanks.

[Victor Laury]

It can mess with the tach. It did not on mine.

From the post on the module run new wires to the + and - post of the new coil, abandon the old distributor lead and tape it up with the tempeture sensor wire.

On your old coil, one post has a double male spade connector. Salvage this and use it to join the wires the once connected to the ballast resistor. You now have a 12 volt coil, with constant 12 volt supply.

You can open your spark gap a little to take advantage of your increased voltage. You just have to deal with the better start, better idle and stable spark to well over 7,000 rpm :classic:

[Ekustom]

Can I use the Crane PS 20 I was using on my Crane ignition with the E12-80?Or should I be using the 280 coil?

[240ZMan]

The question is if the ignition module you're using can handle the resistance of that coil. A lower resistance (higher voltage) coil puts more load on the module.

I don't know the specs of what you're using so I can't give you a specific answer. In my case I went with the Pertonix ignition as well as their higher voltage (lower resistance) coil. As near as I can tell, if you know the resistance of the coil you want to use, and the module says it can support that, you should be ok.

[EScanlon]

Victor: In your description of how to hook up the module is where the tach gets disconnected.

The tach has a loop circuit that it reads in order to give the RPM. Without both leads connected it can't read anything.

Mine has the original 240 Tach and the e12-80 module and it works fine.

2¢

Enrique