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MG MGA - Electronic Ignition for 1500mga

I have been told that if I fit an electronic ignition system which will fit inside the existing distributor it will improve performance .I am looking at the Lumenition Magnetronic ignition which costs £86.75.
Has anyone fitted one?
Is there a better alternative ?
Does it improve performance ?
C K M Edwards

Here in the states we have pertronix. Even if your dist. bushing is worn and the shaft wobbles it holds right on the mark. The cost should be about 50 pounds as it cost about $100 here. It fit inside the dist beautifully.
JEFF BECKER

CK

Aldon sell the system Jeff is referring to under the name 'Ignitor'. This is the website: http://www.aldonauto.co.uk/
Look under Products - Distributors.

Steve
Steve Gyles

If you have 50 quid to spend, first get your distributor reconditions. An electronic ignition will not hep much if the thing is knackered.

The Aldon is better than the lumenition as it does not rely on an optical sensor. But a well set up set of points in a dizzy in good condition will give the same performance as an electronic module.

The electronics have the major advantage of being service free, but when they go south, it's a complete failure and then you either need a second dizzy to swap out the faulty unit, a set of points and condensor to fit, or a two truck.

dominic clancy

C K

I have MK1 1600. I installed the Lumenition Magnetronic ignition to my 25D4 distriputor. Before I had problems with burning points and bad high revs. It works spot-on, easy to install, no more headache with burning points. But more power increase? I did not feel any increase, only engine began working smooth.
MGartin

I have B but regard contact-less distributor upgrade is pretty same story. Replacing of contact system with contact-less will not bring more power, the only benefit is that it does not wear, so you do not have to buy new contacts (what is cheep) and readjust time and gap.
Years ago I bought Lumenition Optronic system. Works fine, I am happy with, but I wouldn’t buy it once again, because Magnetronic for half of money is good enough for everyday driving and if it broke, is easy to go back to contacts and capacitor.
If you want to spend more money, buy one from TDC (http://tdcperformance.ca/), also MGOC is selling same. It has preprogrammed curves, but it is not cheap and as Dominic says, if something goes wrong with electronic, ...

Good luck
toni

FWIW, I spoke to John Twist some time ago about air intake options, and he mentioned that he recommends electronic ignition as a cheap way to gain a couple of horsepower through more even and reliable spark. Probably not noticeable on its own compared to new points, but maybe noticeable if combined with other minor improvements (stub stacks, better air cleaners, etc.).

Regards,
M.D.
'57 coupe
M. D.

I fitted the Magnetronic to my GT some years ago and it still works fine - improved mpg, starting and running but no increase in performance -and easy to put it back to original if it fails -unlike the optronic one. One of our club members had an Optronic one fitted to his midget - it failed on the Paris ring road on the way back from the Med- fortunately a passing MG had a spare dizzy on them and got him going again - I wouldn't mind fitting one now to my A but I have a feeling that it is only available for negative earth - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

One thing to note is that the Lucas distributor was designed to be cleaned, inspected, and lubricated on an annual basis. Many people do this when they change their points. Few people do this after they fit an electronic trigger unit.

I would also address the point which Dom has made. He is perfectly correct that the starting point is a properly rebuilt distributor. An electronic points replacement system will camoflauge some level of shaft wobble and will help if the points cam is badly worn or out of specification. It will not, however, make up for a bad mechanical advance system, nor, for a bad vacuum advance system.

The only marginally scientific test I have seen showed that, with a distributor in good condition, both the electronic points replacment systems and points in good condition performed equally well. No measurable difference between the two.

I continue to use the points type system for two reasons:

First, I have had both types of systems fail in use. The points type systems are much easier to diagnose and repair.

Second, the annual cleaning/inspection/lubrication of the distributor actually takes place because I have to install a new set of points.

Les
Les Bengtson

Good points everyone has raised.
for what its worth here's my thoughts.

I have two MGA's with Lumenition "Optronics" fitted.

I chose that over the magnatronic system as it allows for wear in the distributor more.

Also if you choose to go for a much higher voltage coil (40k Volts) and larger plug gap, these systems will cope with that, where as the standard point will burn out much sooner.

Having said all that, on long journies there is always a spare 25D in the boot or at lease the base plate, points & condenser.

As with all electronic devices they go then they stop and you put them in the bin, but as the years go by the newer versions seem to last longer. A good altinator is also key, as I'm told they usually fail due to a spike in the power.

Also my experience with condensers is not good either and I think they are the weak point of the standard system.

Cheers
Mark.





Mark Hester



I accidentally submitted this question on my friend Chris,s home page!
I would like to thankyou all for all the very usefull information you have given me.I was not aware such a site existed. I now have to decide what to do !
Roger
Roger Parryhropshire

This thread was discussed between 05/12/2006 and 08/12/2006

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