Want a simple electronic ignition...
Want a simple electronic ignition system for your Mopar, but don't want an ECU bolted to your firewall? The Petronix kit might be just what you're looking for.
By now we all know that electronic ignition is more reliable and requires less maintenance than the older breaker-point style of ignition, so it just makes sense to perform this easy upgrade to our older Mopars. But with all the electronic ignition options on the market today, which one is right for your car? If you run a post '71 Mopar (as well as certain '71 models), you can optimize the factory Mopar electronic ignition that is one of the best OEM ignition systems ever made. In earlier cars, it's easy to install a Mopar electronic ignition system, if you don't mind the cost and the nonfactory appearance of an electronic control unit (ECU) box bolted to your firewall. If you're racing, an aftermarket high-voltage system is mandatory. But if you want the reliability of electronic ignition while retaining the stock look, a Petronix ignition kit may be just what you need.
Using a factory points-style...
Using a factory points-style distributor, the Petronix kit includes all the parts to replace the points with an electronic pick-up and controller. In addition to working as a stand-alone unit, this system also functions well when used with multi-spark aftermarket ignition components.
Our engine is a 383 that will be installed in a street driven, A-Body, big-block clone. Since we like to look stock and go fast, we had to decide what electronic ignition system would best suit our needs. While an MSD or Mallory system would certainly give us more than enough spark, our street car just didn't warrant the expense or complexity of these systems. We considered a Mopar Performance electronic ignition kit, but didn't necessarily want to drill holes in our previously unmolested firewall to mount the ECU. Since we had good luck with a Petronix electronic ignition system on a previous car, and it requires no drilling or external control box, we decided to use one on this engine as well.
The cool thing about the Petronix ignition system is that there are no external parts to install. All the parts fit inside a stock distributor, converting a points-style unit to a reliable electronic ignition. Because the factory distributor is retained, the engine bay looks completely stock with the exception of one additional wire. Since we were ordering some parts to complete our car from YearOne, we simply added the Petronix kit to our order and had it in a few days. To boost spark for our warmed-over engine, we also got the optional high-voltage coil.
This system should easily power our warmed-over 383 and will also have enough energy to fire the cylinders of a much hotter engine should we decide to upgrade in the future. Follow along as we show you the simplicity of installing this ignition system.
As the graph on the box indicates,...
As the graph on the box indicates, this system greatly improves ignition energy at midrange rpm, especially when the Ignitor II coil is installed.
After removing the points...
After removing the points and condenser, and cleaning the distributor in the parts washer, we installed the metal plates that will hold the new electronic pick-up and controller.
Now the Petronix pick-up/controller...
Now the Petronix pick-up/controller can be installed on the plates, basically in the same position the points were located in the factory configuration.
The magnetic pick-up simply...
The magnetic pick-up simply slides over the points cam of the distributor, then a factory rotor can be installed.
Using the supplied .030-inch...
Using the supplied .030-inch feeler gauge, the air-gap was set. Then we routed the wires through the original provision in the distributor. One wire goes to the coil; the other to ground.
With the air-gap set, the...
With the air-gap set, the distributor was ready to install. Externally, it looks just like a factory unit with the exception of one additional wire.
We opted for the Ignitor II...
We opted for the Ignitor II coil as an upgrade for our ignition. It too looks like a factory coil and bolts right into the stock coil bracket.
After installing the distributor,...
After installing the distributor, we topped it with a set of Taylor plug wires. This system will easily power our mild 383, with room to grow. So if we decide to install a killer stroker motor in this car, our ignition will perform up to par, while basically looking stock.