Electronic Ignition

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Electronic Distributor Upgrades are considered the BEST upgrade you can make to your A-series engine -- it increases reliability considerably. Advantages of electronic ignition include:

• No points to wear out, no dwell to adjust. Otherwise you are supposed to change the points & condensor to NEW every 12 months. Nissan EI is nearly foolproof as failures are extrememly rare. Points will always end up giving you trouble eventually.
• High-energy spark -- uses full 12V coil (no ballast resistor), and can drive large gapped spark plugs for better firing
• Additionally, Nissan versions have this advantage of using Larger Cap -- less chance to crossfire (important in humid climates)

For converting your A12 to electronic ignition, see:

• B310 Electronic Distributor Swap USA
• B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap USA
• E15 Electronic Distributor Swap Australia
• Sunny Truck Electronic Distributor Japan
• Vacuum Advance Diaphragm Repair
• FLTR Full TR (Full Transistor) Japan
• Pertronix Electronic Ignition all countries
• Hot-Spark Ignition USA
• GM HEI Ultra-high energy module conversion
• VW Electronic Ignition Conversion
• EDIS Coil Pack setup all countries
• Category:Engine Modifications Ignition

Identification

Nissan distributors usually have two OEM suppliers:

• Hitachi: 日立 or ヒタチ
• Mitsubishi: 三菱　or ミツビシ

Use the google Fast Search box on the left side of this page to search for the distributor number. Or use the photos below to identify the generic type.

On the body of the distributor should be the part number. Clean the grease off the side of the body and read the numbers:

Top line: Distributor Model Number (e.g. D4R). This will tell you the kind of EI it is so you can identify the cap & rotor parts.

Lower line: Nissan Part Number. You can look up the exact part number (e.g. "22100-P4000", most are in the club wiki. If not, post your number and we can help identify the exact model.

The same types of EI systems used in Nissan distributors are also used in Honda and Mazda engines. After removing the cap, look at the type of Ignitor used to identify the technology:

D4P: no visible ignition parts, no vacuum advance

See main article: Hitachi D4P Distributor.

Mitsubishi T4T Electronic (two pieces: ignitor and pickup)

See main article: Mitsubishi T4T Distributors.

Hitachi two-piece

See article Sunny Truck Distributors

Hitachi one-piece type (ignitor + pickup in one)

See article: D4R.

Hitachi MATCHBOX type - bolts to outside of distributor body

See main article: Hitachi D4K Distributor

Full TR

HB210 style electronic ignition

Points replacement unit - Pertronix Electronic Ignition.

Points replacement unit - Hot-Spark Ignition