Question for Mark

[leeputmanjr]

Mark - I was checking out your new website (VERY NICE, btw!), and came across "The Geoff Starns Project". In the description you state you're resetting it to '73 bumpers - yet it was a '74 split-bumper, already? I know most people don't like the double-tube bumper, and many of THOSE get reset - but I'd not heard of anyone retrofitting a '74.

The reason I ask: I have a '74 split bumper, and am VERY much not liking how far off the bumpers sit from the body!

My 'plan' (if it could be called that) was to take apart the bumper mounts, and simply remove the rubber blocks, figuring then they will very closely match the pre '74 standards.

...but what is your plan? Has Allison Automotive come up with an all-new bolt-in bumper mount for those of unfortunate enough to own '74 split bumper cars? (Come on, it's the season of miracles!)

...and please, tell us more about the new ignition you'll have!

Thanks, Dude.

-Lee

[So Cal Mark]

thanks for the comments on the the new site. Kudos to Steve Eubanks (fiasco) for the new design. We'll be updating the projects in the near future.
As for the bumpers on the 74, it was missing one front block and the others were in poor shape. Since it's hard to source those we decided to go to the 73 style. We had to fabricate brackets, but it wasn't too difficult. That car is finally nearing completion, so I'll be getting more pics in the near future.

As for the new ignition, it's really cool. The mfg is working on the engineering drawings now, but holidays will slow the project just a little. It's basically a distributorless system, but with a sort-of distributor rather than a crank sensor. All of the electronics are contained in the top of the distributor where the cap would sit. Timing advance is fully adjustable right at the top of the unit. It uses a remote coil pack. Operates to 12000rpm with amazing spark output.

We also have another ignition system we're developing that will be a replacement for either a points system or Marelli electronic distributor. It will feature a mechanical advance and be very reasonably priced

[james124]

Hi Lee. Just thought I'd mention that I modified the front and rear bumpers on my 74 Spider to get them to fit them closer to the body. I had the tube in the mounting brackets shortened by exactly one inch. The steel brackets were simply unwelded at the front of the bracket, the tube cut off an inch and the front of the bracket rewelded. They look original and I am very happy with them.
Cheers, JimmyG

[tonyfromjersey]

Nice website. I would like to buy all the upgrades, but of course my daily driver needed brakes, my microwave committed micro-suicide, etc. Must be the holidays.

[pope]

Mark, nice web site Steve set up for you. Definitely long overdue. You should be proud.

[So Cal Mark]

Here is the link to the new ignition system. This page is for a Ford 2.3, but the Fiat system will be the same. Only the lower half of the dist will be different. Since the height of the electronics is over an inch shorter than the oem distributor, it will alleviate clearance issues with the hood on a 2L equipped car.

http://compu-tronix.com/DIS4F23L.htm