6 replies to this topic

[IronmanG]

https://www.minispar...c-distributor-a

Are these decent. My local rolling road specialises in SU, classics and is happy with these dizzy.
Whats anyone's experiences with them. Worth it over a standard fixed curve?

[timmy850]

It depends on what type of standard fixed mechanical distributor you're comparing it to.

 

Your basic low power electronic distributor with a woeful curve is useless in any mini engine

A recurved high power electronic distributor with matching vacuum unit is very good and hard to beat

 

The benefits of the programmable unit are (if you know what you're doing) you can make a better curve than a mechanical only curve, as you can tune each RPM point to suit the engine and not rely on the mechanical nature of springs and weights. You can add extra timing below your idle RPM to improve the behaviour returning to idle, you can adjust the vacuum advance better, set RPM limits etc

 

However if you don't know what you're doing you can make it much worse too!

[IronmanG]

Ok. I won't be doing it the RR guy will.
Do you make adjustments every 500 rpm or so or as often as you like?
Sounds like a decent investment to me

[IronmanG]

Does anyone have a base setting for it just to get me started?
Ok so it come with preset curves of choice and these can be adjusted to suit the specific engine at 10 different points throughout the rev range

Edited by IronmanG, Today, 04:41 PM.

[Mini-Advantage]

Are you using Tune+? You can get a basic map from the 123 website. If not I have a copy of it.

[Spider]

I did look into them many years back when they were the only programmable distributor on the market, but I was put off for a couple of reasons.

First, the curves they had in them didn't suit any A Series Engine and second the consumable parts (Caps and Rotors) were odd ball, I've noticed in recent times, for periods, they become unavailable for extended periods.

When the CSI hit the market, I looked at them, and found the available curves suitable and being Lucas based, caps and rotor buttons aren't an issue. I have them in  a few cars now, the oldest is in the Moke, it's now 14 years old, done 75,000 km, been through hell and high water still going well on it's original rotor button, the cap I replaced a couple of years ago. I've needed to message the company a few times over the years and found them quite responsive. They also have versions which include an immobilizer if you'd like that feature 10 out of 10 for me.

 

I'll add here though, in regards to curves, both 123 and CSI have fully programmable models available now days.

Just one other thing I'll say as that while the CSI and 123 are very similar in price, they are both a lot of money. If you are going to play around with different heads and cams, then sure, they'll pay for themselves, but otherwise, you'd probably be better off having a curve worked out and a distributor sorted to suit that. If it goes wrong at some point, it's something you'll likely be able to fix yourself.

[IronmanG]

I did look into them many years back when they were the only programmable distributor on the market, but I was put off for a couple of reasons.

First, the curves they had in them didn't suit any A Series Engine and second the consumable parts (Caps and Rotors) were odd ball, I've noticed in recent times, for periods, they become unavailable for extended periods.

When the CSI hit the market, I looked at them, and found the available curves suitable and being Lucas based, caps and rotor buttons aren't an issue. I have them in a few cars now, the oldest is in the Moke, it's now 14 years old, done 75,000 km, been through hell and high water still going well on it's original rotor button, the cap I replaced a couple of years ago. I've needed to message the company a few times over the years and found them quite responsive. They also have versions which include an immobilizer if you'd like that feature 10 out of 10 for me.

I'll add here though, in regards to curves, both 123 and CSI have fully programmable models available now days.

Just one other thing I'll say as that while the CSI and 123 are very similar in price, they are both a lot of money. If you are going to play around with different heads and cams, then sure, they'll pay for themselves, but otherwise, you'd probably be better off having a curve worked out and a distributor sorted to suit that. If it goes wrong at some point, it's something you'll likely be able to fix yourself.

In this case im trying a camshaft that may or may not work as its already in the engine and I would like to try and get it going without taking the engine out again. If it isn't what I like if I change the camshaft it will be easy with the programmable dizzy.