I'm curious what kinds of ignition systems people are running & what are the pro's & cons of each.

Pictures would be great too, coil types, voltage outputs, etc...

And of course, the magneto question, anyone running one?

Thanks!

magnetos are good for vehicles that have no electricity.

theoreically a long time a go magnetos had a stronger spark... they also cost about $2000...

Now I can't imagine using one unless it was a really odd application.

i use the accel 300 CDI ignition with good results, you can use pretty much any ignition you want with a little messing around...

I think you'll find no one is running a magneto. But hey somebody -- surprise us!

most speedway machines run Magnetos..

A magneto is little more than a distributor with a built-in DC generator to provide the primary current & a built-in coil to make a completely self contained ignition unit.

As the RPM rises, the voltage needed to jump the plug gap becomes greater. The voltage output from the DC generator also becomes greater & this increased primary voltage makes for more voltage in the coil.

Modern electronic ignitions can match this performance without difficulty which means that the magneto has a very limited application these days.
Ideal for vehicles that do not have a battery & this would include race cars that are normally push started [speedway, salt lake] or some industrial applications.

My curiosity was peaked due to a Hunt Magneto's sticker on the A12 motor I picked up. Mine does not have one, was just wondering if anyone knew of one in use. My understanding was as Dodgeman described it, higher voltage output at higher rev's.

I do have an electronic ignition pickup in the existing distributor, can anyone tell me if this is from a different Datsun setup or aftermarket. Any ideas on coil setup to use would be appreciated too.

Engine w/Hunt sticker & electronic dizzy



Ignition pickup





Tell me about your ignition systems.

Thanks!

That looks like an aftermarket setup -- a photo-optical sensor. Nissan units all have metal inductors with teeth, rather than plastic sensor with cutouts.


I'm using the factory Datsun 1979-1982 style distributor "black matchbox" type.

See wiki - Electronic Distributor Upgrades

i have a black box dizzy i use to trigger the accel 300, i can also use the older magnetic pickup only dizzy, i have one as a spare. this ignition will work with about anything. it's got a big coil it triggers directly.


i wish i liked the optical dizzies more, it's a good idea and maybe the 4 slot version works better than the hacked CAS the E15ET used. it's fine, it tends to fowl the sensor wheel when dust and oil vapor collect in them. magnetic ones have as little negatives as the optical ones... anything other than points!

After a little poking around on the web DD is right, its an optical pickup.

So what do i need to know to match this up to the appropriate control box? Are they specific to a particular mfg-er or can one use anyones control box? there aren't really any identifying #'s or brand names on the pickup.

Ideas?

Thanks, Edp