DeTomaso Mailing List: April 1997, Message #3
     



From: Andy Poling <andy@realbig.com>

Subject: Electromotive Ignition?

Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 15:25:19 -0500 (EST)



On Tue, 1 Apr 1997 MikeLDrew@aol.com wrote:

> Before the Detomaso server crashed (!) Andy Poling wrote:



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