Electronic Ignition

[brunorahl]

Just drop in the Crane XR3000. It's only about $160 and it is the best bang for the buck. You can use your current distributor, cap, rotor, and coil.

[SLOSpider]

Well you asked for peoples opinions and this is what happens.....

I again state the used stock distributor is the way to go. If you have a pick a part junk yard near you then you can get everything for about $40.00 or less. Even if you had to get a new cap $17.00, Rotor $9.00, Pick up module $32.00, control module $25.00 and coil $25.00 you would be in it for $150.00 ( which I doubt you would need to do everything) and then any auto parts store can get you replacement parts anywhere in the world....

Also these are not true DUAL point units, one is for starting the other for running...

[mbouse]

Well you asked for peoples opinions and this is what happens.....

I again state the used stock distributor is the way to go. If you have a pick a part junk yard near you then you can get everything for about $40.00 or less. Even if you had to get a new cap $17.00, Rotor $9.00, Pick up module $32.00, control module $25.00 and coil $25.00 you would be in it for $150.00 ( which I doubt you would need to do everything) and then any auto parts store can get you replacement parts anywhere in the world....

Also these are not true DUAL point units, one is for starting the other for running...

i agree 100%. the chances of needing all that is slim, and you'll end up with something on par with the Crane. Points are a pain. two sets of points doubles that discomfort.

[stefhahn]

If ever I'd have to change the original I'd go for the 123ignition - see: http://www.123ignition.nl/id/47.html
At least it keeps the original looks (top mount) and has the advantage of 4 FIAT curves plus 12 standard curves.
ciao,
Stefan

[spiderrey]

Stefhahn, thats an interesting setup. What does that go for?

[Snoopy]

http://www.leenapk.nl/product_details.p ... item_id=93 289 Euro Today 383 $

[jsdieter]

OK so i basically want my car to be more reliable than it is now. Something tends to break about every friday when i drive home from school. Its been the ignition a couple times and I'm just tired of having to deal with so many things to go wrong in the ignition. Being that i am in high school i don't have a lot of money. The engine isn't very stock, it has had all the emissions equipment taken off by a previous owner, and Ansa exhaust (previous owner), and Performance air filter

[BEEK]

Also these are not true DUAL point units, one is for starting the other for running...

funny thing is i used these as true dual point distributors, one contace to make and one contact to break, and even with the 10degree difference in timing it actualy worked well. just an observation

[BartusCompater]

I'm going to have to say from experience that the stock ignition system on my 81' has not been the greatest to me. In a period of just about two years the system has had two failures in two different areas that left the car dead on the side of the road. The first time it was the pickup wire, which I was able to splice back together to get the car home, and the second was the rotor, which simply broke apart in the middle of a drive. The rotor was new, and it may have been a cheapy one (I let someone else order it for me), and I installed the new pickup wire in such a way as to deter it from coming apart again. So all in all, both were easy and relatively inexpensive fixes, and it's been a long time since I've had another problem, but I have had problems with it.

[tonyfromjersey]

I found a Crane XR700 on eBay for 35 bucks new cause the guy didn't know how or where to list it. I think there's a little bit of performance increase, but overall the car runs better, smoother, and I don't need to mess with points.

[chrisfiat]

http://www.pertronix.com/

been using these systems on lots of car boats for over 30 years never a failure and much improved performance and VERY easy to install and set up. the pick up for my 124 is one piece that replaces the dual points. cost i think is about 60$

[lugbutz]

Hi...
Just bought a 1980 Spider 2000...... Needs a little TLC since it has been in the garage for the last 10... But Im pretty happy with the purchase. It is a beautiful car and can hardly wait to get it on the road.y.

Just a heads up a complete Newbee Mechanic and Fiat Owner.. If I ask dumb questions I am sorry and will try to keep them to a minimum. All that said I am mechanically inclined and own a few Shop manuals on the 2000. So With their guidance and hopefully these forums I'll learn how to tune and maintain my to Spider.

My question is ... I was reading the Clymer Fiat Spyder Performance Section and it recommended a cheap an worthwhile conversion is replacing the points based distributor w Electronic version. Since the manual covers 1971 - 1981 Spider... Does this mean I can convert the 1980 Spider? I remember maintaining the points on my old Suzuki T500... It was a pain.... Id ideally like to get away from points if I can... Can I?

Thanks for any and all help

[tima01864]

I am surprised the 1980 has points.

[kmead]

In 1979 the Spider was changed over to an electronic system, the same unit was used for the remainder of production. It is a good system that is much better than having points and is highly recommended.

In general it is a reliable system that uses a GM control module available at any parts store. Generally the failures of the actual system would be the following: the pickup wire failing, occasionally the module will fail (replacements fail more often as people fail to use the heat transfer paste). Typical mechanical parts that fail are the rotor and cap. The vacuum advance mechanisms do eventually fail but are generally reliable.

On a high mileage unit the seals on the distributor wear but its not too difficult to replace them.

There is a variation on the unit that has no vacuum advance and is refered to as the Plex system but is otherwise similar mechanically (diffferent advance curve and so on but use the same module, pickup, etc).

To ensure you can always get home I would carry a pickup wire assembly, a control module and a distributor rotor.

[lugbutz]

Thanks for the reply... So.. I did some digging and found a shop manual online. Nice nice Stuff...
So... I don't have points... Electronic ignition..

http://www.njfiats.org/joomla/images/st ... ntents.htm

Basically said the same thing... First (or near first) Electronic Ignition... used a spinning magnet and a magentic field detector to trigger firing of the spark plugs...really very very cool... Amazing what they could do when the dinosaurs walked the earth (OR if you believe they are a hoax when Moses walked the earth)

Anyway...I have another question... What are the the groups thoughts on Turbo charging the Fiat? I heard that the 1981 Turbo was a bit of a problem... what about throwing in a different Turbo ?