Electronic ignition

[nickspeed]

Hi. Have an Elan S4 SE with completley original engine spec - strombergs, points ignition etc. Would like to fit electronic ignition. What systems should I be looking at? 123? With thanks, Nick

[ericbushby]

Hi Nick,
From my own experience I would say `keep it simple`.
I fitted a hall effect conversion from Ignition car Parts. Model ICP EKO 18. £29.95.
I just now found there website difficult to use but it is there.
This was recommended by our local Lotus service and repair man. It fits under the distributor cap in place of the points and is held in place with the same screw. This is intended for the 23 D4 distributor.
No complications - it just works.
The only point is that I ground the `pip` off the distributor base plate to ensure the module sat flat and added a smear of heat conducting grease to the underside to help with cooling. That is the stuff used between a transistor and it`s heatsink. It has now been running since 2011 with no issues.
There is plenty of fancy stuff out there but if you want it to run just as it was intended to I do not think they are necessary.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[friedy]

I also had the hall effdct conversion from ignition car parts, lasted about 6 years and packed up , went back to points and seems to run better (might just be my imagination though )
Alan.

[Foxie]

I used to have a Luminition, very reliable but failed in the end.

To replace it I fitted a 123-Ignition. Electronic operation all inside the standard distributor. Has the advantage of in-car programmable advance curves using a USB, and the option of switching between two curves on the road to compare them using a simple switch.

[alan.barker]

Been running "Hall Effect" Simonbloc for 11 years on my Sprint no problem.
Before that the last points and condenser lasted 80 kms. Condenser made in China crap.
If you prefer to fit Points then fit "Cooper S Points CSI " and Condenser from Distrib Doc.
Alan

[Elanman99]

Aldon Igniter/Pertronix gets my vote. Mine has been in use since 1992

Ian

[sng]

I have the Lumenition with the additional computerised timing module. I fitted this back in the late 1990's. I very much doubt it is any better/worse than any other recognised make. I fitted both modules in the cabin under the dashboard as probably a more electronic friendly environment than in the engine bay. I wonder how many failures are down to poor choice of location.

The reason for fitting the computerise timing module is that my car is a UK Stromberg equipped S4 and the 40953 distributor is a bit of a compromise according to the Miles Wilkins book. I purchased the timing module from QED and they supplied it with some additional 'more suitable' timing maps. The ability to tune the timing might be of use to you or maybe not. I have to confess I have never made a realistic comparison between the different maps and don't have the expertise to design my own.

[Andy8421]

I would recommend the 123 dizzy. Build quality is excellent.

Programable advance curve (there are examples on here of a good curve to get you going) and also the ability on certain models to set a password using bluetooth to disable the dizzy, so you can disable the car from your phone.

Short of the bad guy having a spare dizzy, the car is going nowhere under its own steam without the password.

[mbell]

Same here, happy 123 user. Expensive but good.

[elans3]

Aldon Ignitor, I fitted one to my S3 S/E in 2002, and as far as I know, it's still going strong. I sold the car 12 months ago, and it was still working perfectly after 20 years
I have a 123 distributor on my Alfa Twincam, and yes, it's good, but a lot more expensive, and so far it's only done 7 years.....

[JonB]

Mine's a very old Lumenition unit with what appears to be a hall effect sensor in the distributor. It's definitely not optical as there is no chopper. No idea of its age - it looks ancient - but it is still working. I'm going to relocate the main unit from the nose cone to the cockpit, though, because I think the nose cone is a bad place for electronic gizmos.