I'm becoming very interested in replacing the points distrubutor in my SA with electronic ignition. The distributor is fairly worn, and I'd rather not put any money into maintaining an inferior system when I could invest in electronic. I've been comparing the stock 80+ setup, DLIDFIS, MSD boxes, 2GCDFISTT, and 'TFIDFIS'.

Mostly, I'm looking for reliable consistent ignition. I imagine that since my points system is in need of maintenance I'd probably pick up some lost power and economy at the same time. What's keeping me from actually doing the conversion is the overwhelming number of options for electronic ignition. Additionally, since the car is worth very little to begin with (around $1000 in total invested), my target budget is around $150 for all the parts necessary. Anything more costly than that would mean putting too much money into a low value car.

Starting with none of the necessary components, the stock and DLIDFIS setups are unappealing specifically because even used j109 ignitors tend to be pricy. Costs for an MSD setup mostly depend on what kind of deal I could get on the box, but I've also heard some posters express dissatisfaction with the results.
2GCDFISTT appears to be an appealing option since I've read nothing but good results from this option, and the 2g coil/ingitor seems to be reasonably cheap. The only caveat is that it still requires the j109 ignitors for switching, which are costly. I wasn't able to find any information on anybody attempting this, but is it possible to use cheaper HEI modules to trigger the 2g ignitor?
The option I've been looking at most is TFIDFIS due to the low costs, but the large number of different HEI modules is a point of confusion for me. For example the WELLS DR100 module is merely $18 each, but would the even cheaper $10 LX301 modules cause performance issues?

Lastly, I've had trouble getting a straight answer for this one. As far as I'm aware, the 81-85 12a distributors are a drop in fit, but is there any possibility of using a 13b distributor?

Apologies for the many questions, but as I've stated there are a large number of choices and the information I've found is often helpful but at many times vague, inconsistent, and contradictory. I'm not expecting somebody to figure it all out for me, but the amount of information I've sifted through is massive and I've had difficulty deciding which path is the most appropriate considering my budget. Anybody with experience in replacing the points ingition have any advice to offer or personal experience with the total expected costs for the upgrade?

 

You should be able to find this Info in the 1st Gen Archives,1st gen specific Sections,or by Search.
There is also a Sticky up top of this section for 1st gen owners (FAQ's).
https://www.rx7club.com/new-member-r...-sa-fb-782426/
But,since this thread is up more people can answer anyways.Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply. I believe you may be mistaking what I'm looking for though. I've read nearly every ignition related thread and searched through pages upon pages and threads of information, including but certainly not limited to the FAQ you linked. I'm familiar with how each scheme functions and most of the differences between them.

What I'm looking for is advice suitable to my particular situation, which is specifically starting from scratch instead of modifying the existing electronic ignition present in the majority of first gens. Specifically, I'm interested in finding the most cost effective route.
Plenty of people post in such threads about how much of an improvement their implementation of the modification did or didn't offer them, but few members post exactly which parts worked, which caused issues, and what it cost in total to implement.

I'm not posting because I failed to search, I am simply unsatisfied with the information I was able to find. I'm hoping that perhaps a member who has gone straight from a points setup to a non-stock electronic setup could relate their experience in a way that would help me decide how to proceed with my plan within my budget restraints.

 

Hope you post your fix.I need to probably do it also..

 

i upgrading my coils to that of a 2nd gen and havent had a single issue yet. and i already had some lying around so they were free, jsut cost me a connector or two and some wire.

 

I know the thread is a little old but does anyone on here know how to wire up the 84 rx7 distributor into a 79 rx7?? I need some help with wiring as i am new to these systems.. The points and problems have me fed up with the stock distributo, any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you-mike

 

I didn't do a lot digging on this site but I did a kinda stock upgrade mod at one point and it was very cheap and simple. 81+ dist. I changed the coils to 81+ and then 4 pieces of wire and terminals. bring 12v over to each coil I got this from the existing ignition circuit (yellow w/green), one ignitor terminal one each ignitor gets grounded and the other goes to the other side of the coil.

Mike

 

Thank you for that info! I am going to try that today!

 

funny i have been working on a small something here im actually turning my dizzy into a cas with a msd 6a.

 

some pics

 

Kinda crude, but did work? you may what to look in to possibly adding a current limiting resistor between your coil and the active wire on the dist. I never did, but was suggested with the non-stock coils I used. never had problem with it. Guess I missed he mod...wheres the cap!

 

That seems like a very interesting setup and i would love to see how it turns out. Maybe a video would help also haha i could also pass your name around to the rest of the guys in my chapter if you like. Let me know

 

i dont see how the resistor would work the active wire is going to a msd box.. theres no cap because i made a cap for it seeing that there are no spark plug wires going to it.. lol but yeah it was a quick experiment and it works fine.. after every things all done ill clean it up

 

Wait, i noticed you do not have you're trailing plugs connected. Its actually performing well without the trailings?? My trailing coil had died a few weeks ago and my car ran like sh**.. Thats why i installed the 84 gsl dist.. I made my own harness for it and all and it works very well..

 

yes it it run just fine you actually advance the timing a hole bunch the trailing plugs are really only for emission prepossess only to burn the rest of the fuel.. you can advance like 36 degrees or more if you have the fuel at witch if you have trailing plugs at that point there firing on the apex seals witch wont happen now.

 

good stuffff

 

It was all an experiment to simplify the system for racing the mechanical advance is also welded

 

here but i ran out of fuel but yes it runs fine hust got to get my hands on a timing light

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200331764956755

yes its a vid on my face book

 

I tried to check out the video but your facebook is set to private so i cannot view the video.

***********************************************
WARNING TO DRIFTSLUT: do not try to sell in a Post or a thread in the NEW section.Info Edited by Moderator.
***********************************************

 

The set up works amazing on my streetport and sounds killer..

 

u have the same set up as me ill see what I can do for the video

 

ok set my prfile to public