Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I'm looking for ignition system options. Application is vintage racing
S4.

Crank fired ignition is not allowed, so I have to stay with a
dizzy. Electronic ignition systems are allowed as well as high output
coils, wires, etc.

I have a mechanical advance distributor that I plan on starting with.

I've have seen the Lumenition systems, which is of primary
interest. Anyone know of a US based distributor? Or failing that could
someone recommend a UK, preferably web-based, vendor that a system
could be sourced from?

I'm also aware of PerTronics which seems a likely candidate. They seem
to be in wide use even for street cars.

I also know Tony Thompson lists a system but have no specifics on it,
as the line item isn't very descriptive. Anyone know what it entails?

Any others that should be considered?

thanks,
fj..
--
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender,
religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down
inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.
-- Dave Berry

Franklin,

< I've have seen the Lumenition systems, which is of primary
interest. Anyone know of a US based distributor?>

Any of the ususal suspects, Dave Bean Eng., JAE, RD Enterprises (all
US based). Talk to any of them and they can surely help you out.

Mike Geiger


--- In ***@***.***, "Franklin R. Jones" <grat@W...>
wrote:

Mallory makes a dual point distributor that fits 1600cc Ford motors and
apparently (one lister here, and hopefully me someday has it) fits under
the webers. And what could be more classic than dual points?

Fred

actually I tell everyone I'm a lousy driver. If you see me coming, pull
off to the side of the road and let me by.
<snip>
thanks,
fj..
--
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender,
religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down
inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.
-- Dave Berry

FJ
I have a Luminition system on my BDR and it works well and reliable. My FF
2000 motors all ran on Luminitions as well. I believe Bean, RD and maybe
Don Tingle sell them.
Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

Fred,

The Mallory looks like a nicely done piece. From looking at catalogs, I
worry about the upright cap; plug wires coming straight up from the dizzy,
rather than from the side. Has anyone used a Mallory on a Twin Cam? How did
it fit? Did the plug wires hit the carbs or head?

Rich Boyd

At 12:48 PM 12/31/2004, you wrote:

There is a side entry cap option, along with a electronic replacement for
the points.


At 07:41 PM 12/31/2004 -0800, you wrote:

On Fri, Dec 31, 2004 at 05:13:47PM -0500, lotus wrote:

Thanks guys. I have a Bean catalog and flat missed it. no
points for observation on this one.

fj..
--
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender,
religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down
inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.
-- Dave Berry

This question of using a Mallory distributor seems to pop up periodically. It is listed for Ford Pinto 1600 applications.
I purchased a Mallory about 25 years ago to replace a worn Lucas distributor. It has the stack (upright) cap. I use cable boots that bring the cables out at 45 degrees rather than straight up..It clears fine with the Stromberg carbs. I don't know about Weber carbs.
The part no.of my distributor is 2558101 and it was listed for the Pinto 1600 at that time. It is a Mallory Type YL, adjustable advance with dual points. Looking at their current catalog, the distributor listed for the Pinto1600 is part no. 2358101 for dual points and 4558101 for Unilite (no points). I did a little investigation and found that a principal difference between the current listing and mine is the size. Mallory refers to the series 25 (mine) as a mini bowl with a smaller black cap compared to the series 23and 45 which have "standard" red caps.
I don't know what the current availability is of the series 25. They do offer a kit for converting the series 25 to Unilite (which I'm considering).
The series 23 and 45 might not fit under the carbs and I don't think a sideoutlet cap is available for these distributors.
So, anybody interested in using the Mallory would be advised to check on the availability of the series 25, either dual points or Unilite.
David, 72 Sprint DHC

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Boyd
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 7:41 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] electronic igintion systems?


Fred,

The Mallory looks like a nicely done piece. From looking at catalogs, I
worry about the upright cap; plug wires coming straight up from the dizzy,
rather than from the side. Has anyone used a Mallory on a Twin Cam? How did
it fit? Did the plug wires hit the carbs or head?

Rich Boyd

At 12:48 PM 12/31/2004, you wrote:

-I was in contact w/ David on his Mallory install before proceeding
with my just completed Mallory Unlite install. Dave, many thanks.

I purchased the Unilite 2358101 w/ vacuum advance at a great close
out price but it would not clear the Stromberg manifold on my 69 S4.
After contacting Mallory's v. helpful tech dept, they recommended
fitting the minibowl dist cap that David used and removing the
vacuum advance can in order to reduce dist height. I sent my Unilite
back to Mallory who made the modifications for $65. They also
changed the stock dist springs to give more initial mach advance to
compensate for the lack of vacuum advance. I sourced a Formula Ford
clamping plate from Pegasus Racing and I used 90 Deg plug leads on
the dist cap. That resulted in sufficient clearance. Also used
Mallory coil designed for the Unilite with internal ballast.
I'm pleased with the install and switching to a modern dist with
avail springs, modern machining tolerance, sealed bearings and avail
replacement parts is a great comfort. I'll provide some tech data
after more running.
In hindsight, I think Dave has the right idea. Better to source the
Minibowl dist and convert to a Unilite module ($90) rather than go
my route. However,the savings on my Unilite plus the Mallory
conversion cost made it cost effective. I still have a servicable
Lucas 25D w. Pertronix, new cap & rotor to sell which will offset
my Mallory investment.
Rgds,
Phil Mitchell
San Jose CA.





-- In ***@***.***, "David Barnes" <dande@s...> wrote:


bring the cables out at 45 degrees rather than straight up..It
clears fine with the Stromberg carbs. I don't know about Weber carbs.

with dual points. Looking at their current catalog, the distributor
listed for the Pinto 1600 is part no. 2358101 for dual points and
4558101 for Unilite (no points). I did a little investigation and
found that a principal difference between the current listing and
mine is the size. Mallory refers to the series 25 (mine) as a mini
bowl with a smaller black cap compared to the series 23 and 45 which
have "standard" red caps.

I'm considering).


Unilite.