Confirm 280zx Upgrade is as good as it seems to be

[ISPKI]

Hello folks!

 

    I have been having electrical issues with my ignition unit on my 77 280z. I ran into this guide about removing the dizzy and replacing it with a e12-80 zx dizzy. I just wanted to confirm that this is as easy as it seems via the following guide, and that it eliminates the stock transistor ignition unit and ballast resistor.

 

http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/distributor/

 

    I also read about people installing an MSD 6AL ignition module along with the 280zx dizzy but I do not understand why that is necessary. Correct me if I am wrong but, the MSD 6AL Ignition unit would take the place of my (77 280z) transistor ignition unit correct? But, the 280zx dizzy already has an ignition unit mounted on the side of it that takes the place of the old transistor ignition unit. So, whats the point in running the two ignition units?

 

    Other questions: If I were to replace my transistor ignition unit with the MSD 6AL, would I then also be able to eliminate the ballast resistor? Can that be done with the stock 77 280z dizzy or is the stock 280z dizzy not designed to use the increase in power?

 

    The main reason I am looking at these options is because it looks like I will need to replace my transistor ignition unit which is 109$ from Rockauto, while the E12-80 zx distributor is...109$ from Rockauto and is supposed to simplify the system, be more reliable, be less of a hassle, make the car run more smooth (which is my current symptom).

[NewZed]

MSD stands for Multiple Spark Discharge.  Supposed to provide better ignition in some cases.  http://www.msdignition.com/page.aspx?id=8451  In theory, it's a better ignition module than the ZX type module.  I'm pretty sure that you could run an MSD 6AL with just your 77 distributor.  The pickup coil in the 77 will control the 6AL.

 

 

It would be best to build a matched dignition system.  Coil and module designed to work together.  The ballast resistor is there to drop the amps that pass through the coil and module both, as a system.  Mismatched systems will work but might not give the best spark or might wear out sooner.

 

 

You might consider the GM HEI module also.  Cheap and seems dependable.  Not glamorous, but effective.  Check the replacement cost of a ZX module before going that route.  It's about the same as replacing your 77 module, and the ZX modules are known to die also.

[ISPKI]

I noticed that the ignition module itself makes up almost the entire cost of the complete distributor. I think rockauto has them for around 90$ which means the dizzy assembly is 19$... So, I am assuming people run the MSD with the ZX dizzy rather than the 280z dizzy to keep the system similar. Having to keep the ballast resistor for the 280z dizzy would weaken the massive spark (or would the ballast resistor just get fried from the MSD 6AL?) that the MSD ignition module would send out. I would love to eliminate the ballast resistor and as much wiring as possible so I think I am going to look into switching over to the ZX dizzy.

[ISPKI]

Alright folks I have an update. I purchased a 280zx distributor from a member on here and have it almost converted over, I just want to confirm that I have the wires done correctly. I followed the guide from the above link from atlanticz. I have the new dizzy installed with a new ground on the mount as my car did not have one. The wires going into the coil are as follows:

 

Positive post has one wire for the condenser, One wire going to the "B" slot on the E12-80 module, and the black w/ white stripe wire that was the +pos supply going in to the ballast resister.

 

Negative Post has one blue wire that was the -neg supply on the ballast resister, and one wire going to the "C" slot on the E12-80 module.

 

Now what I want to confirm is, all the wires going in to the transistor ignition module can just be insulated as none of those wires are used for anything correct? I had thought that power went in to the transistor unit then to the ECU then to the ballast resister and then to the coil, or is that incorrect? Do the wires going in to the transistor unit simply form a loop back to the ECU so there is no need to connect any of the wires going in and out of the transistor ignition module?