Mallory Unilite, Ignition Boxes, Rebello 2.7L, Triples

[CoastGuardZ]

Man... It's been awhile since I've been around here!

Well, I'm finally ready to start dropping some money into the Z to get ready for the restomod/refresh that I plan to start next year. The final plans call for a Rebello 2.7L with triple Webers, but what I'm wanting to do in the next couple of weeks is upgrade to electronic ignition. As of right now my plan is to grab a Mallory Unilite 4563901, this can be had for around the $400 and would be new. I was considering the 280ZX dizzy, but they will most likely need a rebuild anyway so I figure I'll just go with the Mallory.

My Q's...

1- Is the Mallory a drop in on the L24 or will I need the dizzy mount like the 280ZX has?

2- What, if any, advantage will an ignition box add to this set up?

3- Should I go with the matching Mallory coil, or is something known to work better?

4- Any issues getting factory tach to work with any of this?

5- Other suggestions are always welcome.

Some of these answers I've found, the problem is that some answers are preference and others contradict each other.

Thanks for any input...

[d240zx2]

I've had zero problems with Pertronix, Nate. You might wish to give that system a look-see. And it's considerably less costly than what you seem to have planned.

[steve91tt]

My $0.02 for the questions above...

1. The Mallory distributor will work nicely on your L24.

2. An MSD style ignition box will give you stronger spark. In my case, adding an MSD box made the car pull harder at high RPM's but if your stock ignition is in good working order you may see less of a difference than I did.

3. No need for the matching coil. If you go with an MSD box make sure that you pick a coil that can keep up with the increased demands the box will generate.

4. Stock tach should still work with the distributor. If you go with an MSD box you will need an MSD tach adaptor.

5. I have had good luck with my Mallory distributor but as d240zx2 states above it's an expensive way to go. The stock distributor with an MSD box and a Pertronix module is a great alternative for a strong reliable spark.

[sparegolfer]

I've had in the past and will go with again, a Mallory unilite mechanical advance dizzy with a Mallory Promaster coil and it worked great. No problems with the tach and was made to work with the factory z dizzy mount. I would recommend this setup to anyone.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Actually my plan after I get my new 2.8 installed and my webers dialed in, I will go from my OEM/Pertronix setup and then switch to a mallory later.

If you have a working dizzy, I would start with that. Change the minimum amount of things first. Then slowly upgrade part by part, so diagnosing will be much easier.

For instance. I bought my webers and installed them on my L24 which I will be taking out. But it allowed me to build a fuel system, rail, and get them some what dialed in prior to bolting on my L28. Now I know it will start and idle beautifully, so all I will have to do is jet for the increased displacement. Should be a quick thing.

Good luck and keep us posted

[Carl Beck]

The Mallory Unilite is one of the best additions I've made to my 72 240Z. Installed it back in the late 70's and have never had another ignition problem. I went with the ProMaster Coil as well. Works with the stock Tach - but I had to use two ballast resistors.

http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/MalloryDist.htm

I did have a problem with the Pertronix system in another 240Z. It keep breaking up above 5800 RPM. An Ace Datsun Mechanic and I spent two hours going through everything - including the carb's... Everything checked out fine in the shop - but not under a load on the track.... Pulled the distributor with the Pertronix and replaced it with a rebuilt 280Z distributor.. problem gone.

I'm Not "certain" it was the Pertronix or the distributor itself.. I personally wouldn't screw with it again... With the new Unilite you are getting a new distributor.. Agreed it isn't "cheap" - but in todays dollars that isn't a lot of money. I say do it once and be done.

[steve91tt]

Two ballast resistors? What is to be gained by adding the second resistor to the circuit?

I'm hoping you say that it will make the tach more accurate as mine is far from so. Fingers crossed.

[LeonV]

Why get a $400 distributor when you can get a $400 crank-trigger ignition system? Unless you're racing and the rules dictate that you must use a distributor, a crank-triggered system would be magnitudes better than any distributor. IMO, either go Pertronix or the 280ZX dizzy for a low-budget electronic ignition system, or crank-trigger if you have $400 to throw at the ignition system.

*Megajolt controller not shown

This is what my dog, Bo, thinks of distributors:

[Lazeum]

Distributorless is indeed very nice (next upgrade if everything is ok with my newly rebuild engine, btw, no more EDIS 6 available on ebay so far )

The best benefit from the megajolt is to play with advance at every state of the engine: WOT but also mid range/low throttle, etc.

as of today, I've got a Unilite + Mallory Hyfire 6AL CDI box. The setup is nice, it never failed on me and you can play with timing and curve to a certain extend. Rebello should also be able to tune it for you while they do the engine.

But if I had to do it again with a distributor, I would chose an electronic dist. with a MSD 6AL-2 box that would allow me to play with timing via a PC. It seems much more friendly than Unilite to play with timing.

[CoastGuardZ]

All-

Thanks for the many great responses. Now it's not that I'm some kind of high roller... 'cause I'm definetly not... but I'm not too worried about dropping $400 on a Mallory. I'm ready to commit to the Rebello 2.7L and the triples which I know won't be cheap. I won't be using a Pertronix in my stock dizzy... because it's 40 years old and has nearly 300,000 miles on it. My initial idea was the 280ZX electronic dizzy with a MSD box... but that would be a 30+ year old part that probably needs a rebuild and a rebuilt one is ~$150 plus an ignition module for another ~$150 and then I still need the mount. That's already $300+ and the Mallory can be had for $342 on Amazon of all places. http://www.amazon.com/Mallory-4563901-Breakerless-Electronic-Distributor/dp/B000FVU7IE/ref=au_pf_pfg_s?ie=UTF8&Model=240Z%7C2284&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Nissan%7C67&Year=1972%7C1972&vehicleType=automotive&newCar=1&carId=001

So after the positive responses here I would say that the Mallory is a go and I'll give it a shot with a Promaster? coil... but I'm not quite sure which one is right... maybe this one... good for 6500rpm on it's own and 8000rpm with the box to get all the potential from the Rebello powerplant.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-29440/

[Mike W]

Nate,

That is the right coil. I run the Unilite with this same coil as well as a Mallory Hyfire 6AL MSD type ignition. It has been flawless and I think that you will be very happy with this choice.

The only downside that I have found is that you have to get Mallory distributor caps and rotors and these are not items that you typically find at your local Autozone. I would recommend that when you purchase the Unilite you also purchase a spare cap and rotor. That's what I have done and usually carry a spare set with me just in case.

It's a pretty easy install but if you need some help just let me know.

Mike.

[gnosez]

Will be very interested to see if your 2.7L makes or loses HP after say 6400 rpm.