BREAKERLESS IGNITION

Has anyone tried this on an 009 distributor? I'm considering it to replace the old points system and would be interested in anyones experiences! Thanks Chaz

i have used the pertronix in my bug, speedster, my dads bug, and my buddys bug, and they all still work, the engine runs much smoother, no need to adjust timing, and the car starts MUCH better. It's a win, win situation. I reccommend it 110%. If you really want to be safe, get yourself 2 kits, keep one in the car incase it fails, you need a flat head screwdriver and about 2 mins to change on the side of the road, plus you should'nt have to even time the car to just get home, with points you really should time the car with a light if changing them, and you could do more damage driving home after swaping out points on the side of the road and having the wrong timing. I've had the unit in my bug the longest (2yrs, about 15000mi) and have no issues.

martin

Agree with Martin, same with my car!

Same here, highly recommended!!

Where might someone find one of these? I'm always looking for little, inexpesive ways to improve my car.

Pick up a copy of Hot VW's for tons of sources. Personally I've had good success with this outlet: www.cip1.com
Hoss
ps. I'm currently running a Pertronix Ignitor (original version) in our '63 VW with good results. I also use their hot coil and some aftermarket ignition wires. This is on a 1641cc Type 1 with dual baby Dells and an Engle 110 cam.

Have run breakerless ignition since they invented it. Works great. Stabilizes whole ignition system. Eliminates timing drift due to dwell changes. Trucks and cars, besides speedsters.

It's really the only way to go!!!.....You'll be glad you did!

http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=345

http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=compufire

http://pertronix.com/home.htm

I hate to be a nag about this but I'm still a beginner. I just put a new Bosch Blue Coil in when I did the rebuild and I think my distributor is OK as well as the spark plug wires so I guess all I need is the drop-in unit from Compu Fire, is this correct? I know that there are varying degrees of output for different coils and such but I'm only looking for better spark and no more points, so will this drop-in unit be adaquate with my new coil or should I just suck it up and buy the whole Petronix kit?

I've used several coils with Petronix and Compufire, all seem to work well.

If you purchase the Compufire entire ignition module that includes coil packs, you'll also need to purchase their Tachometer adapter. If you just buy the point eliminator you don't need it.

Either Petronix or Compufire work great and, Empi has come out with a point eliminator that's usually a little cheaper than the other 2 and I've used it successfully..


As many of you know, I do repair work on both Spyders and Speedsters. One customer experienced a severe mis fire problem and at times, his engine would totally die.

I dignosed the problem as a faulty ground between the base of the Petronix and the base of the distributor.

After using steel wool to clean up both surfaces, I re-installed the module and applied loctite to the mounting screw.

The mis-fire and stalling went away with no further problems.

If your new coil is a genuine Bosch "Blue" coil, and not just a Bosch coil with a coat of blue paint, (the part number on the bottom will tell the story) you are really pretty much all set.

I think that the original after market Pertronix chromed coil puts out around 40,000 volts as does the Bosch Blue. There are several folks making 60,000 volt coils now, but if the rest of the ignition system is in good shape, it's kinda over-kill. I've been running my Pertronix with a Bosche Blue, and in the past, have run a points ignition with the Pertronix chromed coil and everything ran smoothly, no problems at all mixing and matching.

I'm looking into the future now and predict that Larry will post a more definitive answer along with a work-related anecdote in just a moment . . .

Thanks TC and Larry - Compufire drop-in ordered and on the way! Oh, and my Bosch is good for 35,000 is that enough?

Mickey - sounds you're like me - I learn something new everytime I'm on this site. I'll be doing the same as you're planning to do with the drop-in Compufire.

After instaling the breakerless ignition system , check your timing.

There is a slight difference in the trigger point, and this could cause problems. I know, I know. Redundant thinking......

You will love it.

Leon C.

WIll do Leon, Thanks!

Also, if you decide, eventually, to spring for a 60,000+ volt coil or one of those Magna Spark systems from CB Performance, make sure you also get the entire system: HEI distributor cap (it has male HEI contacts, not the typical plug wire holes), resistor-less rotor, and 8mm or 10mm silicon HEI plug wires (Taylor has excellent HEI sets made for VW's). You might also go for Bosch Platinum plugs (W7AP or W8AP), and gap them at .050 or so.

WHY? Those coils put out a lot of poop - enough to arc through the stock plug wire insulation or burn out the resistor in "Stock" rotors.

Be advised, though, the 10mm wires are bigger diameter, may be overkill, and they won't fit stock wire guides/holders.

gn

Thanks to everyone who replied! I got a Pertronix Ignitor II kit and installed it just like they said and in less tha 30 minutes she was purrrrring!!!! I did put a new rotor and cap on as well. Now I'm set! I think I will chrome my old set of points and mount them on the wall of my work bench! Thanks again for all the info!

Mickey, I buy a good bit of stuff from:http://www.peekperformance.com/
They ship fast and being in MD., I usually get it in a day or two; unlike a week from Cali.

Thanks Bill!

I've had good luck with those guys. In fact, nothing BUT good luck.