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Magneto vs electronic ignition

Started by Gary C, November 18, 2013, 05:28:56 PM

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Gary C

Anyone have any idea how the latest electronic ignition kits for a grey would compere to the older style magneto?

I know in the day a magneto was considered the ultimate, but today how would the petronix kits etc compare?

Thanks, Gary.









FCRB26

My first one failed but as for driveability awesome cold starts no choke just purred like a kitten.
Havent fitted the replacement.
went back to points which means hard to start first go if its sat for a week or 2

john253a

had pertronic for 2 years now haven't missed a beat

if your worried about the fail rate you can get a ford 6 dizzy modified to fit, see making of bad girl (they have one)
Good + Fast = Not Cheap
Cheap + Fast = Not Good
Good + Cheap = Not Fast

Gary C

Thanks for the info guys but was really after thoughts on how the magneto of the day would compare performance wise against the electronic kits of today.
Question is when trying to squeeze a grey for everything it has would the magneto out perform the electronic set up?


Gary.

DJ

Dave
0417 270 315

Sparkie

hi ,I am an old auto electrician and I recall being told many years ago coil ignition is strongest at low revs and magneto at high,this may not be correct but believe it was due to the time that points are closed in a distributor compared to the speed of magnets in magneto ,Gary

mickrat

Views from another old auto sparky. The contact points on both conventional ignition and magnetos are the weak area. Dwell angle ( that's the angle the cam turns whilst the points are closed is greatly reduced at high revs this doesn't give the coil enough time to be come fully saturated therefore the spark out put is greatly reduced. That's why twin point dissys were the go in the past with one set about to open as the second set just closes increasing the dwell angle. These days with high energy out put coils switched on and off electronically. These system are much more efficient and are superior to all else. MSD make make systems where the spark out put can be extended for race applications but can be used on the street.  It's my opinion electronic is the way to go
1957 fe special sedan    (rusty one )    1958 business sedan   ( good one )   

                                            .

Gary C

Thanks for the input fellas, I was hoping someone could talk me out of $2500 for a magneto vs $200 for electronic.

I had a feeling that if the racers of the day had the choice they too would probably opt for the electronic kit.


It would look cool though.

Gary

Maco

Better in Green

john253a

If it out right performance
Ditch both thoes
And go full electronic, (msd or other)
Second would be a graft of ford 6 dizzy top on your bottom
Third would be electronic replacement points for your stock dizzy

And you'll see a heap of change from 2500
Good + Fast = Not Cheap
Cheap + Fast = Not Good
Good + Cheap = Not Fast