Ignition

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    So far the only modifications were replacement coil, points and condenser fitted when I first got the engine running back in 2013! I did purchase an Aldon electronic ignition module, but never got around to fitting it, while the engine ran satiisfactorily.  However recently the engine has become a little difficult to start and I wondered if, before I fitted this module, a refurbishment of the distributor would be beneficial. I contacted Martin Jay at the highly regarded Distributor Doctor (www.distributordoctor.com) for a quote on rebuilding the Delco distributor. This had been fitted in place of the original Lucas 25D6 fitted to my 2.5 litre engine, as I needed the tachometer drive. His reply was somewhat surprising, in his words "Sorry no we don't get involved at all with later Delco's. Poor quality, Lucas units were much superior".

    This set me thinking on fitting a reconditioned Lucas (my original must have been discarded sometime in the past). According to Martin Jay, the Lucas equivalent to the Delco was the 22D6 (with a tachometer drive) as fitted to the TR5 & 6. Rimmers sell a new one for around £400. Alternatively I could get a 123 Ignition distributor made in Holland (www.123ignition.nl), based on Lucas designs but fitted with an advanced electronic module for around the same money. This has no tacho drive so would entail getting the tachometer converted to electronic by JDO Instruments (www.jdo1.com). The one I went for is the 123/TUNE+ 6-R-V-G (bluetooth). This solves another problem I have been thinking about, security! With all the time and money that has gone into this project I would need some kind of anti-theft device, and this 123 has an app which also features a simple switch which immobilises the engine, so a couple of clicks on my mobile phone immobilises the car. As I would have had to spend some money on this, the 123/TUNE+ solution becomes much more viable as it combines ignition with anti-theft!

    According to my 123 supplier, SC Parts Group, "The ignition-system in a classic car is often the source of many problems. After years of use, the mechanical distributor becomes worn and increasingly inaccurate. Although replacement of the standard points with an optical eye or magnetic ignition set-up is an improvement, it does not compensate for the wear in the advance-mechanism, the distributor shaft and bearings within the distributor itself. The 123 ignition distributor is different. It comes in its own aluminium billet and nickel plated housing, although externally similar in its classic appearance to its mechanical counterpart, it contains high-tech electronics on the inside. While maintaining classic appearances under the bonnet, the internal technology makes your ignition system and engine perform better than ever before".

    Reviews of the 123 are sparse on the net, but I did discover this on the BMW2002FAQ website: "The unit...well its a VERY well made and crafted unit.  Super sturdy and I have no doubt that this will last for YEARS" and "The car idled smoothly and when I stepped on it, I spun the tires and it raced to redline!" and finally "my initial thoughts are the thing is AMAZING.  One of the best upgrades I have done to the 2002".

    When I install this into the GT6 I will obviously review it myself!


    With a new distributor I decided to upgrade the rest of the ignition system, i.e. the spark plug, coil, and HT leads. Here I had a bit of a conundrum as a very helpful person from SC Parts called Monty sent me a very useful email with some specific suggestions, using SC Parts of course. His list would have cost £185, and while I have spent lots of money on this project, I still like value for money, and SC Parts are quite expensive! I then researched the individual items.

    First, he recommended BPR6ES NGK Copper Core Spark Plugs. Fine, but at £4.56 each + VAT? In the end I obtained the same plugs from The Green Spark Plug Co. for £13.44 including VAT and postage for 6. Second he recommended a Pertronix Flame-Thrower High performance ignition coil. I am sure these are very good, and it would look good in a chrome finish, but at £62.32 + VAT? However Albertronic BV who make the 123 Ignition recommend the Bosch Blue Coil (0 221 119 027) which has a primary resistance of 3.0 to 3.3Ω making it suitable for non-ballast resisted ignition which the Mk2 GT6 is. More internet research shows that these coils are as highly rated as the Pertronix. Again The Green Spark Plug Co. obliged for £24.65 all in! I needed a bracket, so I got a stainless one from the Mini Spares Centre for under £10. Finally the leads. SC Parts recommendation (13478) looked quite good with a silicone reactive core, fibreglass base coated with ferromagnetic compound and tightly wound with a stainless steel resistance wire under a coat of conductive lacquer. This would cost £47.36 + VAT. This sounded hard to beat and I nearly went along with them but discovered eBay supplier mr-retro-leads! This is the trading name of Anthony Fitchett, son of well know Triumph parts supplier T D Fitchett. He makes up leads to order and a set for Triumph TR6, GT6 etc costs £28.21. Am I getting an inferior product? He claims that his leads are "A premium brand ignition cable for use where high performance is essential. The core uses a fiberglass and Kevlar® base onto which is extruded a Wire wound conductor cable which is tightly wound with a stainless steel resistance wire bound with a conductive lacquer. This design ensures maximum spark quality with virtually zero voltage loss while still maintaining an excellent level of EMI & RSI suppression. With a resistance range of 5.6kOhm per meter (nom), they provide superior reliability and ultimate performance at all times, even under the most severe conditions".  This sounds just as good as the SC Parts one, and Anthony has been supplying T D Fitchett for many years, as well as many others. A useful youtube review can be seen by clicking here. The parts described can be seen below: