Before I go ahead and buy one, is there anyone that's got one of these and are they any good?
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Pertronix-Cast-Distributor-009-Style-With-Ignitor-I-12v-AC905D186604_act_shop.product_pID_22510727.htm
Also what is the best coil to go with a Bosch blue or flamethrower one Like below
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Flamethrower-I-Coil-12v-Black-3-ohms-Socket-Connector-AC90540511_act_shop.product_pID_91247.htm
If you have a good 009 you may be better off with this
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Pertronix-Electronic-Ignition-Bundle-for-009-5-AC998149_act_shop.product_pID_128514060.htm?crumbStartPage=4&crumbStartRow=98
But you won't buy better than Pertronix for the money.
Pertronix gets a thumbs up from me too ;-)up
Pertronix ;-)up from me too
Did you have the good old 009 of me you had for the other buggy as I cannot remember if so use that and buy a kit for it.
This isn't going to help, but...
I would suggest the Petronix ignitor 2 kit. It appears to be much better than the 1 and less likely to fail. (of course, me saying that with my luck.... :-X :-[ )
If you go for the 2 and I know its more money but you can still use the 009 dizzy as the base for it but you must use their corresponding Coil for it (do not mix coils for the 2 kit!)
Details are in the Heritage catalogue which you can download from their website (not just read items on the site itself).
Much cheaper from limebug ;-)up
I have used a Pertronix Mk1 in mine for 15 years or more along with a flamethrower coil for the last ten years. Fit and forget as far as I'm concerned.
I cannot how ever recommend an 009 conversion as I have never used them.
If you are buying you might as well get Mk2 it has wiring protection and a few other enhancements.
I have mk2 and its never missed a beat!
Pertronix, Compufire, etc, modules are all pretty much of a muchness, all do the job of replacing condensers that wear out and points need adjusting, wear out and are prone to pitting at higher voltages.
A few details on windings for various canister coils:
Primary Secondary Windings Input Output
Ohms KOhms Ratio Volts KVolts
3.0 9.83 80:1 12 24 Bosch Black (factory fitted by VW)
3.4 7.79 80:1 12 24 Bosch Blue
3.0 12 28 Flamethrower (28010)
3.0 12 40 Flamethrower (40501, 40511, 40611)
0.6 12 45 Flamethrower II (45001, 45011, 45111)
0.7 4.5 100:1 12 45 MSD Blaster 2 (8202)
0.7 4.5 100:1 12 45 MSD Blaster 3 (8223)
Standard Ignition systems are Inductive Discharge where 12V is supplied to the primary windings, this generates a magnetic field, and when the points open this field collapses, which in turn creates about 200-300V on the primary windings. The secondary windings then multiply this by the windings ratio to give the output voltage. The input/output voltage levels will degrade over time as the coil wears out and also with slow field collapse (points).
The Pertronix/Compufire module is simply replacing the points/condenser with better/more accurate electronics, but still performing the same function.
The main issue with a standard inductive ignition system, is that at higher RPMs, there is a drop off in voltage output as there is less time available for the primary collapse and the secondary to fully charge before it is expected to fire again, this leads to a reduction in efficiency and performance at higher engine RPMs.
This is where Capacitive Discharge systems come in, these have an inbuilt transformer that charges capacitors (very fast) with 200-300V and when they stop charging, the capacitor discharges to the coil. Coils with low input resistance (less than 1 Ohm) are intended for use with Capacitive Discharge ignition systems, though many can also be used with non CDI systems as well if used with a ballast resistor.
CDI systems also tend to generate multiple sparks below 3K RPM to guarantee a full burn of the air/fuel mixture, but only a single spark above 3K RPM as there is insufficient time to generate the additional sparks.
To give you an idea of the difference in the spark quality of an inductive "stock" ignition compared to a capacitive ignition - the stock ignition will generate a thin blue spark that just about jumps the small gap on the spark plug, conversely I have turned over an engine fitted with a CDI system and had fat white sparks jump from the distributor to the fan shroud (HT leads to the plugs had been removed). CDI systems allow the use of much bigger spark gaps and are less likely to be "blown out" in forced induction systems where Turbo or Super chargers are used.
As a final note of caution, never connect any 12V items to a coil that is being used with a CDI system as it will be fried by the 200V input voltage supplied to the coil.