Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hi,

So I just discovered the 123 ignition system and I have to say it looks fantastic.
But I am confused , I found a German site (since I live in Europe) that sells 123 ignition systems.
They sell them for different cars and a friend of mine bought one for his 240z and is very happy with it.
So they sell one for Datsun Fairlady 1600 but it says L16 L18 L20B. So the question Is will It fit?
Or is this for the 510 engine ?

I have a 1968 2000

The measurements are in millimeters.

https://www.123ignition.de/123-ignition ... tooth.aspx

Thx for your help,

Pierre

Do a search here for 123 ignition. A member, Brian from Sin City Datsuns I think, was selling them a couple of years ago. I bet he can give you some advice.

Bonjour Pierre
I’m not an expert so someone else will probably chime in but I wanted a 123 and did a lot of research,

First the unit for the L series will not fit without a LOT of modifications and trial and error
Unfortunately 123ignition does not offer a model for the roadster , there was someone on 311s (Brian Kippen) that was offering converted units for sale but last I asked him for one I didn’t get a response and it doesn’t look like they’re available anymore .

Since I couldn’t get the 123 I went with a programable MSD 6 ignition box , it doesn’t have Bluetooth but you can program Ignition curve via computer

Pjackb wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:44 pm Bonjour Pierre
I’m not an expert so someone else will probably chime in but I wanted a 123 and did a lot of research,

First the unit for the L series will not fit without a LOT of modifications and trial and error
Unfortunately 123ignition does not offer a model for the roadster , there was someone on 311s (Brian Kippen) that was offering converted units for sale but last I asked him for one I didn’t get a response and it doesn’t look like they’re available anymore .

Since I couldn’t get the 123 I went with a programable MSD 6 ignition box , it doesn’t have Bluetooth but you can program Ignition curve via computer

That's what I thought, that it won't fit.

What about this one :

https://www.google.com/amp/s/123ignitio ... ellations/

It way more expensive , which is regrettable because for one time a product comes from Europe you need to order it from the US

Does it worth it ?

What would be the alternatives to this ?

Thx for the help?

Pierre

Pierre - have you looked at these? http://www.eastcoastroadster.com/Produc ... icing.html

I would check out crank fire systems.

megajolt/e mk2

I always read that this is the state of the art for ignition management but am curious as to what is really involved in installing the set up. Also approx total cost. Perhaps this would give Pierre more info also..
I like the MSD system as a step below. Fairly easy to install
Thx
Linda

jrusso07 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 9:09 am Pierre - have you looked at these? http://www.eastcoastroadster.com/Produc ... icing.html

Hi Joe,

Thx for the tip ! Looks great.
It is fore sure a good alternative.

Pierre

Linda wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 3:51 pm I always read that this is the state of the art for ignition management but am curious as to what is really involved in installing the set up. Also approx total cost. Perhaps this would give Pierre more info also..
I like the MSD system as a step below. Fairly easy to install
Thx
Linda

Hey Linda,

The MSD seem to be a very good and easy option as well!
How easy is it to install, do you have a lot of fine tuning to do?

Pierre

I put the east coast distributor in a couple months ago. Quite easy. I shot a video which I’ll share shortly.

Here is my video from my install. Enjoy and feel free to share.

Yes, I was going to say, if you're looking to improve the ignition system, the best drop in and go system is the EI distributor. While I love the Megajolt (I really must have full control of timing on this version of this engine) it is much more complex and requires some effort to adapt to the engine. Then it has to be tuned! You'll love the EI distributor, especially if your old one is weak.

Nice, comprehensive video Matt, nicely done.

Pierre wrote:
Hey Linda,
The MSD seem to be a very good and easy option as well!
How easy is it to install, do you have a lot of fine tuning to do?

Well, the MSD is pretty easy to install. It is made by the Holley company www.holley.com, long time carb manufacturers.
The system can be triggered either by your points distributor or by an EI distributor. So you connect the distributor then the MSD takes over. I changed to the EI distributor first, from Garry Boone who was making them before Dave Brisco and Tom. This version of the EI has the ignition box on the outside and a larger cap. I noticed an improvement right away. Then after a few years I added the MSD 6A, there is the MSD 6 AL also, digital version. The box is on the passenger side inside the car, up under the dash and against the firewall. I got a piece of tin, put a thin flat metal bar along the bottom and mounted the box to it, then the whole thing to the firewall.
I will take some pics tommorrow to show how it is set up.
But meanwhile, the overview is that there is one wire from the distributor that connects to a MSD white power wire. Then from the MSD box to the coil ( which is a stronger one, MSD Blaster coil, 45,000volts vs 15,000 for a points coil) there is a orange wire and a black wire for the terminals. Then there is a red wire which is placed on one end of the ballast resistor, another red wire from the MsD, same place, and finally the BW w red band wire from the car harness, all in one spot. Also 1 wire each to each battery terminal as shown.
Here is a pic, will get another one tommorrow: You can see the white wire connected to the black distributor wire ( trigger) down low below coil, then the orange and black coil wires, and lastly the 2 red and 1 Roadster wire BW with red band at the ballast end.
Last step is to connect 2 of the leftover Roadster wires together. Crude pic before final assembly as I was testing the wiring. I used a protective sleeve once finalized. Tidied up a bit.
Wires all come thru the firewall hole no problem.
You need the hotter coil , bigger wires ( I have MSD wires, 8 mm, 8 cylinder kit, unassembled) gives you 2 sets for a good price. Assembly not too hard with little tool provided. Also need a wider spark gap and some suggest a different NGK sparkplug works better, which I have.
Why MSD ? It gives a hotter spark that burns all the fuel. And below a certain RPM, 2000? it gives multiple sparks for a smoother idle. Multiple Spark Discharge.
The box is pretty reliable. The MSD people can check out a used box for you. And you can find used boxes that still work for cheap 60-150 dollars. If a box fails you can convert easily back to points or EI on the side of the road to get you home. There is probably a way to test the box, certainly a auto electric guy would know, or check Google, YouTube. It is a pretty good bang for the buck. Also somewhat programable with a rev limiter, but not like the 123 system.
Others can weigh in on their thoughts and to validate their use of this system., or add what I forgot, or if there is something wrong, but this is my understanding.
A few options for our Roadsters for ignition, each has pros and cons, like everything.
I installed the EI and the MSD, with coaching, and you can too!
Linda

While all of these aforementioned products are an improvement over the stock ignition system, none of them offer the customization of the 123 distributor that caught your attention. Have you contacted Brian at Sin City Datsun’s? You can find his info by clicking on the quick links bar at the top of this page and then clicking on Vendors.