Ignition Book

[Carter Hendricks]

On Fri, 29 Sep 1995, Neville Newman wrote:

> i dyno-tested an early Jacobs ignition (it was definitely the non-computer
> version) on my Fiat X1/9, compared to a Marelli Plex electronig ignition
> (no multi-spark, no CD).  

                             For those who don't know, which -should- be 
almost everyone, the "Marelli Plex" ignition was a GM HEI system [many of 
the modules were of actual GM manufacture] fitted to a heat-sink/coil and 
with a new distributor... provided as an OE crutch for Alfa Romeo's 
last mechanical injection systems and later supplied as an aftermarket kit 
for Alfas and FIATs. The HEI system is quite adequate for a 4 cylinder 
engine even at pretty high rpm limits, and the energy level is high enough 
as to have taught me the meaning [and feeling] of angina. Two weeks of chest 
tightness after a little mistake on the distributor machine... never did tell
my wife...