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Electronic Distributor Upgrades are considered the BEST upgrade you can make to your A-series engine -- it increases reliability considerably. A Datsun EI dizzy replacement is highly recommended for enhanced reliability + better performance, but a points conversion system may also give better reliability than stock.
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Benefits
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 EI distributors have this advantage of using a Larger Cap -- less chance to crossfire (important in humid or dusty climates)
A-series EI Distributors
- USA: B310 Electronic Distributor Swap
- USA: B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap
- Japan: Sunny Truck Electronic Distributor
- Japan: A15 Vanette Distributor
- Japan: FLTR Full TR (Full Transistor)
All these are drop-in plug and play distributors for 1974-up A-series engines. Minor wiring changes and matching coil are required, but are very simple to install. Will also fit A10 and early A12s by simple modification of an early dizzy hold-down plate.
EI Distributor Conversions
For converting your A12 to electronic ignition, with some modifications see:
- Australia: E15 Electronic Distributor Swap conversion for A-series
- For early A12, easy to convert
- For late A12 and A14/A15, moderate conversion mods
- Australia Bosch Bluebird EI
- advanced mods needed
Points Replacement Units
The following are "points replacment" using your existing A-series distributor. You don't get the benefit of the crossfire-free larger caps, and they cost as much as a good used EI distributor. They are often easy to install, but sometimes not if you have an odd factory distributor.
- all countries: Pertronix Electronic Ignition points replacement
- USA: Hot-Spark Ignition points replacement
- Crane Cams Crane Ignition points replacments for use with external ignition module
ULTRA CDI
Ultra CDI 9100 and distributor
Programmable
[http://www.msdignition.com/Products/Ignitions/6530_-_MSD_Digital_Programmable_6AL-2.aspx MSD 6AL-2 Programmable] about $400 USD
Crank Trigger
The following is a premier system, cost around $300 but eliminates all moving parts, and is optionally programmable to custom match a spark curve for the highest performance.
- EDIS Coil Pack setup crank trigger system
- works with MegaSquirt or MegaJolt controllers
Also See
Also see:
- GM HEI Ultra-high energy module conversion
- Useful if you already have an EI distributor, but don't have a control box
Performance
- Use an EI coil (designed for electronic ignition) and wire it correctly. See EI Wiring.
- When using an EI coil, regap the spark plugs to 0.044 inches for maximum spark performance.
- For best performance, get your dizzy recurved. This applies to stock dizzies or EI dizzies. You can do this yourself if you are patient and methodical. Or you can pay a distributor shop to recurve it. In any case, start with Timing.
Question: Is it reasonable to expect a (slight) increase in power?
Answer: No. Just expect top spark performance, but no horsepower increase (unless you had a spark problem with the old ignition system).
Electronic Ignition will make your engine run at peak spark month after month with none of the losses that points have as they wear. Thus you should get performance equivalent to a newly installed and correctly adjusted set of points. Add to that differing vacuum and mechanical advance curves and the difference is probably a wash. However if your tune was marginal before it may pick up a few HP -- but so would new points and properly adjusted fuel mixture w/o Electronic Ignition.
Identification
Nissan distributors usually have two OEM suppliers:
- Hitachi: 日立 (ヒタチ)
- Mitsubishi: 三菱 (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:
Hitachi D4P
See main article: Hitachi D4P Distributor.
D4P: no visible ignition parts, no vacuum advance
Mitsubishi Two-Piece 1
Electronic (two pieces: ignitor and pickup)
terminals on far edges (not clearly seen when assembled)
See main article: Mitsubishi T4T Distributors.
8-plug version (CA16/CA18/CA20 SOHC)
Mitsubishi Two-piece 2
two-piece ignitor + pickup, terminals off to one side
See article Sunny Truck Distributors
Hitachi one-piece type
(ignitor + pickup in one)
Hitachi D4N module for 8-plug distributors (3,4,or 5 terminals)
Hitachi D4R for E-series distributors (2 terminals)
Datsun Matchbox
Hitachi MATCHBOX type - bolts to outside of distributor body
See main article: Hitachi D4K Distributor
Full TR
Datsun OEM FLTR used in Japan
B-210 USA
D4F type
B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap USA-style electronic ignition
Pertronix
Points replacement unit - Pertronix Electronic Ignition.
Hot Spark
Points replacement unit - Hot-Spark Ignition
Ford 1.1
Ford of Europe Escort/Fiesta 1.1 engine used an A-series compatible electronic distributor.
Bosch Type JGFFUX 4
UK Fiestas got electronic ignition] starting in 1986 (Fiesta Mk II) using the Valencia FWD version of Kent engine.
SR20 Conversion
Nissan CAS converted for use with A-series engine.
Nissan optical CAS/CPS unit can be used to trigger MegaSquirt ECU for electronic spark control of coil packs. CA18DET and E15ET use similar CAS units. See D4P.