Mike Phillips

I was just looking through the Pertronix Application manual and noticed they only offer the Pertronix Electronic Ignition for the 240Z using a distributor made by Hitachi?

http://www.pertronix.com/ptx2005_cat/ptx05_auto.pdf


Anyone here know anymore about this upgrade? What's the difference in distributors between the 240Z and the 260Z?

Pertronix iginition systems have always worked very well in everything I've ever installed them into.

Mike

snwbrderphat540

lucky for you i just learned about these mon horsepower TV a weekend or two ago....they basically instead of distributing spark threw point contact like a typicl cap/rotor setup it does it by a magnet and pick up...the benefit to this is the points wont burn or corrode or any of that craap whcih makes you replace them (i.e. cuase there is no more pints to srew up) the other is its supposed to have much higher voltage i think....so its a hotter spark..... however if you loose spark you now have a more expensive magnetic pickup sensor to replace.....also this is how my ignition works on my new model plane lol.....go figure....

BoulderZ

Sometime in the middle of the S30 models, they did switch away from points to the magnetic pickup type system like Snow said. Most of those sorts of changes were done *sometime* in the 260Z transitional period (like the bumper changeover, the switch to EFI, etc.). Sorry, I don't know precisely when that was. Motorsport's catalog or webpage might show that by parts/year compatibility. Anyway, I do know that a lot of points-distrib Z owners convert over by using the ignitions from 280ZX's, if I'm remebering correctly. I think a couple of guys on here have done that (Darrel? theramz?). I've always done just the late 280 Z's, '77 and '78, which don't have points, so I don't know much about the swap. Anyway, hope the info helps.
Dave

jfairladyz

my early 260Z (signals under the bumper) doesnt have the points type ignition. I'm not sure if that applies to all 260's though. My '74 service manual doesnt say anything about any models being equipped with points either (I'm not saying it didnt happen though). That being said, there is no need for the Petronix becuause it's whole function is to eliminate the points. If you dont have points then you dont need the Petronix peice.

On another note the 280zx dizzy swap is popular like BoulderZ said, and Crane Cams makes an ignition upgrade for all the S30-S130 distributors. A used 280zx distributor can be had for cheap.

Mike Phillips

I haven't actually pryed the distributor cap of the distributor yet, but I will tomorrow and see what's under it.

As soon as I can however, I'm going to look into upgrading the ignition to anything that improves overall performance, this will include a MSD 6AL to liven up the spark during combustion.

For now I'm happy to have the headlights working and able to drive it.

Coolie

Hey Mike, an option also is the distributor from an R30 Skyline. I have one that I am going to install in my 260z as well. There are 2 types of distributor from the 280zx, I cant remember the number on the ignition module that you want...if you like Ill post it when I get home

Edit: the module will have "12 80" on the side...just found it

theramz

I have a E-12 dizzy from a '82 ZX. It's an easy swap and performance was noticably better over the Mallory dual point I had. Starts easier, pulls from 1000 to 5500 rpm now. Sometimes I see them on ebay but you need to varify that the vacuum advance is working. I went through three of them from pick and pull before I pieced together a working unit. There is a plastic piece inside that keeps three little bearing ***** in place among other stuff. If it's not broken it will when you take it apart. So make sure the breaker plate moves freely to advance and returns. I took pictures as I went so I could get it back together. I think the Pertronics will work just as well but you still need the vac and shaft to be good or you will be wasting your time. I see them on ebay for $65.