Many different ignition systems can be used to improve on the original points and condensor. Electronic kits like the Jaycar programmable ignition kit pictured even allow you to program your own ignition curves. This circuit allows for installation with all of the common trigger devices.

The keypad is used to enter the settings and also to select which of the 2 programs to use. This is intended for dual fuel operation. This is the ideal way to fit a modern EFI motor to an older vehicle running on LPG only. Most modern imports do not have mechanical or vacume advance relying on the ECU for ignition settings.

Often the cost of setting up fuel injection cannot be warranted when LPG is less than half the price of petrol and so much easier to install. If there is no specific reason to run on petrol this is an ideal option to replace earlier jap motors with later model offerings.

The major cost item besides an ECU, aftermarket or kit ignition system is the ignition module itself. Many of these can be replace with more common (cheaper alternatives) modules or a motorolla power transistor, a heatsink and a few minor electronic components.

Most electronic kit ignitions rely on the same transistor shown in the crude circuit below. This circuit has been proven over 40,000 km in my Nissan work ute. The only problems to date have been with high tension leads. Using a coil suitable for electronic injection soon breaks down any leads that are not 100%.

This unit has worked well triggered by a standard points distributer in an Escort for over 30,000Km.

This kit ignition from Jaycar can be constructed to suit triggering from any type of distributer.

The same circuit produces the spark for the programmable injection system above.

Many circuits can be located on the Internet to connect different distributers to the most common ignition modules.

The most common units in Australia are made by Bosch and are interchangable if you know how.

Always check that no electronics are attached inside the donor vehicle for any donor system.

Nissan commercials pre-EFI and early MPI Camira"s are 2 models that rely on a dedicated ignition control module.

Below are some links to other useful sites.

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