DeTomaso Mailing List: April 1997, Message #28
     



From: pantera@pobox.com (David Doddek)

Subject: Re: Electromotive Ignition?

Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 00:20:13 -0600



>Well, since I crashed it :-)  I'll start things back up again too...

>

>I've found a local shop that is familiar with Panteras (Automotion in

>Rockville, if you're in the DC area) and, while talking about future plans

>for my '72, I asked Larry for his views on dumping the breaker-point

>ignition.  He surprised me by showing me Electromotive's crank-fired direct

>ignition system.  It's commonly used with their programmable FI rig, but

>works quite nicely by itself (it's not programmable when standalone, but the

>advance curve is adjustable via a pot in the controller).  I'm not planning

>on going with FI.

>

>It's a nice-looking system with a crank position sensor that mounts behind

>the harmonic damper (after shaving 1/8" off the back of the damper) and a

>set of 4 ignition coils (wasted spark configuration) that mount on the back

>of the block.

>

>I like the idea of eliminating that troublesome distributor, but I'm

>wondering if any of you folks have experience with the Electromotive

>ignition setup.  Apparently a couple of the more serious local Pantera

>jockeys are running it in combo with the FI.

>

>As far as the shop goes, I won't know for sure until they're done, but I'm

>impressed so far with Larry's knowledge as I peppered the poor man with

>numerous what-if, should-I and why's-it-do-that-thing questions.

>

>I found out about the (unassuming) shop from a fellow autocross competitor

>(who runs a modern Mustang) that remarked he often saw Pantera's in there

>when he visited.  It's sometimes surprising how you make Pantera

>connections...

>

>-Andy

>

>72 Pantera: power             91 Miata: quickness              96 A4Q: traction

>                            84 RZ350: all the above

>

>

>

I have used the Electromotive system for several years now.  I have the

whole EFI and ignition system.  The car runs great and the only real problem

that I have had is some coil cracking that the factory told me they never

had seen before.  I have that kind of luck.  The factory treated me right

though.  We ran one when I was in school on a mortocycle engine and it ran

good.



One thing to watch out for is run only stock carbon suppression core plug

wires.  It does not like the solid or ever spiral suppression core wires.

You will get missfire at higher RPMs.



David Doddek        pantera@pobox.com        217-422-3722

69 EFI Fairlane, 89 T-bird SC, 74 Twin turbo NOS EFI Pantera (I like to go fast)