Thoughts on Powerspark dizzy kits please.

Well Im having a mare with this new disco, i have rebuilt the dizzy numerous times and have cobbled together something that just about works, but it aint pretty and i have zero faith in the old dog now so im going to fit a whole new ignition set up , fresh from the box so to peak and was thinking that this http://www.simonbbc.com/bundle-deal...r-red-10mm-hyper-performance-high-energy-coil looked like a decent set up.

anybody got one and if so what do you think of it, i know getting it running right is a process of elimination but at this stage i cant really eliminate anything with the second hand used bits that i have put on there, so if i have to spend on bits then this is where i am going to start.

If anybody has any other recommendations then please voice them.

Ta

I ran a Luminition setup in a Stage One V8 (3.5 carb) for a few years. It uses the existing distributor, but the points are replaced with an optical switch. Very well made, never any trouble. Also used in in a SIII 2.25 - you can swap the amplifier module into different vehicles, and just use different distributor kits. It made the engines very resistant to any damp/water problems. IMHO you shouldn't need a high output coil if the rest of the setup is working well. I also went with good quality leads and Splitfire plugs, but I doubt if the plugs made any difference.

The standard 3.9 distributor magnetic pickup carries out the same function as an optical pickup, so the point of fitting a Luminition system is what?

A Lumination system would be only beneficial if the distributor was fitted with contact points.

I didn't buy the kit like that but I've had a coil and a new distributor off simonbbc for my '89 RR 3.5 Efi. No problem at all with either of them.

Like you, I bought them so I knew they were new and reliable and could be eliminated when diagnosing problems.

FWIW the standard distributor is quite reliable, I've had no major issues with mine and it is a simple mechanism.
Before splashing out could I suggest a couple of basic checks. 1 - pick up resistance; stick the probes from a multimeter in to the two pins (the ones the ignition amp are attached to, yes remove the ignition amp first) on the side of the distribitor, the reading should be between 2k ohms and 5k ohms.

2 - pick up air gap. If the air gap is not right then you'll have problems. The gap needs to be 0.20mm - 0.35mm, I have found the easiest way to set this is to use a piece of paper folded in half as a feeler gauge.

If you dismantle the distributor, check for play in the shaft and that the advance mechanism moves freely and that the springs are securely attached. If you go the route of replacing the distributor, make sure the replacement has the correct advance curve for your engine. The 3.9 has 4 variants of the 35DLM8 distributor with differing advance curves depending on compression ratio and cat/non-cat tune.

Hope that helps, good luck with it.

Adding my two cents...

I fit the Mallory Electronic Conversion kit to my existing distributor and love it. Just swapped out the internals for their kit with a new ignition coil.

discool said:

The standard 3.9 distributor magnetic pickup carries out the same function as an optical pickup, so the point of fitting a Luminition system is what?

A Lumination system would be only beneficial if the distributor was fitted with contact points.

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It's not clear what distributor is fitted from the post.

zeaphod said:

It's not clear what distributor is fitted from the post.

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I think it is a 3.9 disco.
I like Bosch coils (Bosch and Lucas were both used OE) , I like Bosch leads.
I have heard of Lucas coils giving jip but can't see simonbbc selling you something pants. I thought he used to offer a kit with Bosch coil, but doesn't seem to now

zeaphod said:

It's not clear what distributor is fitted from the post.

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Correct! But I know from the OPs previous thread (not to far below this thread) he has a 3.9 NAS spec disco, but then all petrol D1s have electronic dizzys unless they are fitted with the later GEMS engine NAS spec don't they, so is there any need to state anything on that item. .

Hi chaps, thanks for the input, it is indeed a 3.9 NAS disco, discool is right as usual.
As far as the coil goes the bosch I have at the moment seems OK, but the bundle price includes everything so for the price and the peace of mind I may as well swap everything out for new but will always have a spare if anything goes tits up.

The problem is I don't know the history of the landy and I don't entirely trust my ability at rebuilding the dizzy, it's in and working at the moment but it is bodged together with cable ties and stuff to get it to run.

Interesting fact about the settings for cats or not though as I currently have cats but am going to remove them so a chat with the suppliers might be in order before actually part with my cash.

Thanks again for the input and I'll let you know what happens either way.

I used a Simon bbc dizzy and coil on my 3.5 carb/lpg and it was, is, brilliant - the old thing never ran so well and for the money I can't complain at all. Go for it, you'll be replacing everything in one hit and know for certain all those bits are sorted. Good luck

Ok it seems that the distributor plus an amp alone is just under £100.
For a Lucas coil that LR didn't fit to the 300 series 3.9 (they used Bosch) and some plug leads they want an extra £50, maybe ok if you really need them.

If your existing ignition amplifier was iffy the engine wouldn't run very well, if at all.
It also seems that the amp is already attached to the distributor, which if you was using it would have to be removed and the blank used from your old distributor if u had one (later ones didn't) then the amp is placed in the position of your existing one up and adjacent to the coil. If it fits that is.. It looks quite thickish.

you can leave amp on dizzy and modify wiring if you like. The mounting holes will match. It is subjected to more heat mounted on dizzy

discool said:

Correct! But I know from the OPs previous thread (not to far below this thread) he has a 3.9 NAS spec disco, but then all petrol D1s have electronic dizzys unless they are fitted with the later GEMS engine NAS spec don't they, so is there any need to state anything on that item. .

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Ah yes minister, but I cannot know what I don't know, and certainly not know what you know. I'm off back to the tratter forum.....

zeaphod said:

Ah yes minister, but I cannot know what I don't know, and certainly not know what you know. I'm off back to the tratter forum.....

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After 18+ years of owning my disco some information on the vehicle does rub off

TBH I ordered the wrong one and the amp fouled the p/steering pump bracket [old 3.5 points etc] some surgery and moving every lead round one cured it - so worth checking but doubt it'll be a problem on the modern motors............ good luck