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[Fwd: RE: Crane versus Ignitor]

To: Spitfires Maillist <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Subject: [Fwd: RE: Crane versus Ignitor]
From: Vic Whitmore <vicwhit@home.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 10:15:27 -0400
Someone was asking about electronic ignition for a Spitfire. I saved some mail
from over a year ago regarding this subject. Here is a message from Peter
Zaborski who has used the Pertronix Ignitor.

Mine is still on order. Eagerly waiting...

Vic Whitmore
76 Spitfire
Thornhill, Ontario

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Crane versus Ignitor
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 11:03:19 -0700
From: Peter Zaborski <peterz@merak.com>
To: "'Vic Whitmore'" <vicwhit@idirect.com>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vic Whitmore [SMTP:vicwhit@idirect.com]
> Sent: Monday, March 23, 1998 9:07 AM
> To:   jbonina@nectech.com
> Cc:   tboicey@brit.ca; MMDBR; triumphs@autox.team.net
> Subject:      Re: Crane versus Ignitor
> 
> Lumenition can been seen at this URL:
> http://www.denaploy.co.uk/autocar/
> 
> I think that they are rather expensive from what I see on the web
> pages.
> I priced out a unit with adapter at 125 pounds sterling without VAT.
> Convert that to dollars and Pertronix Ignitor and Crane XR700 look
> much
> cheaper.
> 
I have a catalog (not here) in which two types of Lumenition systems are
described. One is similar to the Crane in that there is a separate
electronic module which needs to be mounted away from the distributor.
This is the big $ system from Lumenition.

There is also a second system which has all its parts housed under the
distributor cap. This one is less $ and is comparable to the Pertronix
(btw, Pertronix and Ignitor are the same thing. Pertronix is the brand
and Ignitor is the model).

I personally have the Ignitor (I chose it for the "clean" install) and
find it has improved two things on my car:

1. The starting is superior to what it was prior to the Ignitor install.
Not to say it was bad before cause it was very good. It is just better
with the Ignitor. First turnover each time. Kinda neat. On restarts
after recent shutdowns I don't even notice the starter turning.

2. My low end power is vastly improved. I had a problem whereby the car
would be quite sluggish off the line. It was not a big deal, and once at
2500rpm I could feel a surge (minor but noticeable nonetheless). Once
the Ignitor was installed I get much better response off the line. No
more sluggish starts.

I have only had the Ignitor on my car for about a month and since the
weekend I installed it we have succumbed to the snow gods once again so
I am unable to gather any more impressions. Initial indications are that
it was a great upgrade. I have recently also upgraded to the Lucas Sport
coil and Magnecor wires. I am looking forward to much better ignition
system performance this season as a result.

Both my idle and timing are seemingly the same as with the points
although all that was pretty new when I replaced them with the Ignitor.
I expect the Ignitor to provide more reliable and steady service with
less adjusting and tweaking down the road.

FWIW, I have TR6 catalog from a company called Motorhead in Virginia
(USA). (Really good catalog, lots of great down to earth info). In the
catalog, they specifically state they only sell Lumenition electronic
kits for TR6s because they are the most reliable systems. I don't know
about the accuracy of this statement. But the tone of the rest of the
catalog is that these guys speak with some degree of authority. As I
have had no dealings with the company I cannot speak from experience.
Listers in the area (or those who have dealt with Motorhead) may have
more to say on this.

Peter Zaborski
76 TR6 (CF58310 UO)
Calgary AB Canada


> > Subject: Re: Crane versus Ignitor
> > Author:  MMDBR <MMDBR@aol.com> at SMTP
> > Date:    3/22/98 12:59 AM
> > 
> > How about "Lumination"?
> > 
> > Mike Blonder
> > 62 TR4

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