driedle
Hey everybody!
Has anyone ever used the 123 Ignition distributor for a Volvo B30 engine?
I am looking at one to replace my existing distributor for ease of maintenance and reliability.
The 123 Ignition distributor is a new electronic replacement distributor that replaces the entire distributor, as opposed to a Pertronix unit, which mounts in an existing distributor. The main advantage is that the 123 Ignition unit is completely electronic, and you can use a number of pre-programed advance curves. It completely eliminates any sort of mechanical and vacuum advance mechanism.
They even offer one that you can customize the advance curves using Bluetooth or USB, but I am looking at the basic unit without this ability.
Before I pull the trigger on this, I just wonder if anyone has any experience with this unit, or if I should just pick up a Pertronix Ignitor?
David Riedle
Major Ledfoot
@Rob has one on his supercharged 164E and swears by it - not at it.
jrhendo
I've used one in B20. It's the one thats programmable with a laptop. Very useful on the dyno. We ran it in last years Classic Outback Trial and it never missed a beat. I did have a points dizzy in the spares just in case.
jrhendo
PS I don't know anything about he curves they supply, but modern fuels seem to require different curves to the old ones.
I got mine on the recommendation of Rob Henchoz, Amazon Cars in Suffolk who builds a lot of old Volvos. Might be worth dropping him a line: very helpful chap.
Vee_Que
I contacted scorcher myself, and they made something more reliable than the 123 is known to be, which I've read reports of failures on daily driven vehicles.
A pertonix can fail the same way as the 123, they don't like revving past 5500rpm or so. May be ok for you as the stock valve springs start to float about then anyway.
jrhendo
Interesting. I looked on the Scorcher (nice to buy Australian) and couldn't find anything Volvo on their website.
FYI I've run both a Pertronix and currently a programmable 123 on my rally 144 - both revving regularly to 6000 - without any problems. Maybe I've been lucky. I gave heard the more recent Pertronix are not so reliable. Mine must be close to 10 years old.
Vee_Que
You need to call them up.
Rob
I run a 123 on my 164, it is the earlier type, adjustable ignition curve via a rotary selector switch.
I think it is brilliant.
jrhendo
Rob, have you had any of the problems VQ mentions with it?
driedle
I'm thinking that Rob would have come across the rev problems...his supercharged 164E was probably as quick or quicker than my "breathed on" 760 Turbo. I was around 5.3 seconds to 60.
Just saying...I think most everything he has is really quick...
Rob
The 164 isn't a race car but it goes ok. To date I have never had the slightest issue with it.
ok164
I've got the 123 tune+ For my B30 It arrived a few days ago and I'm going to fit it soon.
I don't think these ones come with a default curve and have to be programmed. Does anyone know what the starting curve should be ?
Rob
there should be a couple of curve options to chose from...
deleted_user_1622
Scorcher work just fine, good excellent local (Melb) service too. Used one, serviced a couple.
123 operates well with a choice of curves, very adaptable to cams and fuel. Earth/grounds need to be perfect. Owned a couple, fitted numerous. No failures.
Only 15 years of experience with both.
deleted_user_160
Bugger, should have got a 132.