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| Joined: | 03-14-2005 |
| Location: | Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 406 |
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The benefits of a 'high performance' ignition system include: Quicker cold starting, increased fuel economy, better reliability, more power, and lower emissions. Without a 'high-performance' system, you simply increase your odds of the engine periodically misfiring when cold or when it's under severe load.
To maximize reliability, use only the highest quality distributor cap, plugs, and plug wires with a distributor that has been properly refurbished. Adding a 'high-energy' coil (or better yet an MSD set-up) will hit the plugs with A LOT of juice to make sure they fire when the distributor tells them.
Timing is the other half of the equation and left to the internals of the distributor. Basically you have a switch (either points, optical, or magnetic), and a series of springs, weights and vacuum capsule to adjust the point at which the switch operates.
Springs and weights rarely wear out. Likewise, points really aren't so bad as long as they are adjusted periodically. However, this need is why Pertronix, et. al. replace the points with either a magnetic or optical pick-up which never requires maintenance. The stretch of the timing belt limits the accuracy.
The ultimate in high-performance is something like the fully electronic crank-trigger system used on Yellow Dog. In order to generate all of Yellow Dog's 240hp, this system hits the spark PERFECTLY on every stroke. This system is probably worth 5% in HP over a typical MSD system and at least 10-15% in HP over a 'stock' system.
For a stock or mildly warmed over 907, you might see 3-5% increase in performance using MSD or Crank Trigger, but the real benefit is reliability.
Judson