Pleas help this philistine - ignition management on my Buick?

[Tex]

Hey all,

I need your help - hear me out.

Most of you may know that I drive a `69 Buick with a 430ci V8.

I'm wondering, is it correct that ignition-only management can be used on this vehicle? Like can I replace the dizzy, coil and points and all that shit with a computer-controlled system that can be dyno-tuned, set-and-forget, with set advance curves and stuff?

Basically I'm not sure I can be arsed going through getting my dizzy re-curved and all that, and if electronic management is possible, not too expensive, and is likely to give me benefits such as better spark/higher efficiency, less hassle in tuning etc., then it'd be something I'd consider.

If it's possible, what needs to be changed/altered, and what would the approximate cost be for a suitable system?

As you can tell, I know NUTTINK! :D

Thanks in advance,

Tex

[HoonBoy]

Getting your dissy regraphed will cost next to nothing compared to a computer controlled ignition system.

I would try to see if there was an electronic dissy available, heaps more reliable than points and doesn't need gapping every other day.

[Tex]

I can get a pertronix electronic ignition kit for my dizzy (which is essentially still brand new), but cost aside, is it doable, approx. cost, any benefits?

Tex

[hamish]

Tex, you could try one of those Jaycar programmable ignition kits, can't vouch for how good they are because I've never used one, but at about $70 it would'nt be the end of the earth if it did'nt work. As far as I know they electronically simulate a mechanical distributor, so they are not fully programmable like a Haltec IG5 for example. Typing the advance curve in thru a keypad would be way easier than messing about with springs weights & a timing light.

[Tex]

OK, if I wanted to go for a proper brand set-up, what's the situation then?

Tex

[HoonBoy]

If you must go fully programmable check out the

Haltech IG5 (http://www.haltech.com/Products/ECUs/Ig5/ig5.html)

[Forg]

AFAIK, you can get them; Haltech at least used to do it, have you looked at the Haltech site? They weren't cheap though, if you're getting a new one, and used ones are hard to find 'cos most people do it the other way around (ie. EFI for fuel, but use dizzy for ignition).
May be just as exxy to run a used fuel+ignition computer.

[hamish]

I vaguely remember seeing a price of around $500 somewhere for an IG5, but I could be really wrong there, so don't quote me on it.

[The_Hitman]

Yeap , IG5's are still around and I usually let them go for around the $450.00 , with around $100.00 for the MAP sensor.

You can even convert the beast into direct fire if you feel like making a simple alloy trigger disc to mount on the crank.

[Tex]

Hmm, interesting.

Hitman, I know you're in the business, in your opinion, do you think it's worth doing?

Tex

[Delco]

Should be able to get a HEI for the buick , and even a EFI version.

We used a similar dizzy ona 400 Pontiac conversion I did a while ago , Made up a efi manifold and picked up 60hp at 1200 rpm and 70hp at 5000rpm not a bad response - OH yea the 6 mpg saving was just a bonus.:D

GOnna loose the MPG again as theres a grumpy alloy headed 455 being built for it now - but the powers gonna be awsome ;)

[Tex]

Does the fact that my preferred fuel choice in the long-term will be LPG make any difference? At the moment I'm running dual fuel but eventually I wanna go straight gas.

What sort of units to Delco make, in keeping with the OEM brand the car uses? :)

Tex

[howy]

Tex,

Your dizzy is almost certainly shagged, so if I were you i'd throw in an electronic MSD or something similar. Dont waste your time using one of those points eliminator kits as that does nothing for the shagged advance mechanism.

Add something akin to a MSD or Holley Digital ignition with built in retard and rev limit capabilities and you'll never look back! :D

[Tex]

Howy my dizzy is about 6 months old! :) Just needs to be re-curved as vac advance seems way too strong.

But ideally not having to worry about it and to be able to fine tune the timing throughout the rev range is very appealing. :)

Tex

[karl_2ltGC]

the haltech one would be choice:D
Then you need ignition modules/coils...i think you could have it all done for about $1500:D

And never need toworry about stoopid dizzys/weights/vacuum ect:D

[Tex]

ANother question, what does HEI stand for?

Hitman, what would it cost to have an IG5 tuned? Is it done by the end user, or by someone such as yourself?

Tex

[GTS_215KW]

HEI - High Energy Ignition

:)

[hamish]

An IG5 would definately be the ideal choice for a dedicated LPG motor, most expensive choice too.

[Tex]

Kinga, I knew it was gunna be that simple. :)

IG5 sounds pretty good..

Tex