magster

Are there any upgrades to OEM pulse generators
for an 83 SC?
Thanks
Phil

Bill Gregory

Phil,

Are you asking if you can replace the Bosch CD box? The answer is yes. Perhaps the best alternative is the MSD 6AL, and if you search the archives you'll find a recommendation on which coil(s) work well with it. Permatune is another option, however, they can be quite flakey, and based on others experiences, I wouldn't recommend it.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Phil:

As Bill said, the MSD's are very good units and I'll mention that they need to be used with a matching MSD coil for proper performance.

These components are impedance matched to each other.

IMHO, MSD's are far better than Permatune,...

If you decide to install the MSD, e-mail me directly and I'll send you some wiring instructions.

magster

Thanks ,Where might the uninitiated find such goods,I looked @ Rennsportsystems.com (magnacore wires look good)?
Thanks again
Phil

Scott MacDonald

Phil,

At the risk of inflaming the 911 crowd, this 928er and former 944 Turbo S driver has had good luck with Performance Products, Pelican Parts, VertexAuto, and Tweeks, for non-928 parts [Vee haff our own sources ;-)].
Both www.PerformanceProducts.com and www.PelicanParts.com have the MSD 6AL (Pelican Parts is much cheaper at $248.50).
Good luck!

Scott

emcon5

Are you talking about the actual pulse generator inside the distributor? If so, I have never heard of a replacement for these, as they are not known for having any problems nor do they require maintenance like points.

What problem are you trying to solve?

Tom

magster

according to Bentley manual distributor pulse generator is not working.

Bill Gregory

As I recall, Summit Racing has some of the better MSD prices.

emcon5

I am guessing you tested for voltage between terminals 7 and 31d while cranking and got nothing?

If this is the case, before you make any decisions on having a bad pulse generator, unplug the connector from the distributor body, and check for continuity between the distributor plug and terminals 7 and 31d on the CDI harness. A common failure is the coax trigger cable, the infamous "Green Wire". This is common enough that Porsche redesigned the harness (in 83 I believe) with a connector so the distributor end of the trigger wire can be replaced. Make sure while testing, you wiggle the distributor end of the wire a little, you may find an intermittent problem.

Older cars you will either need to splice the replacement cable into the existing harness, buy a replacement CDI harness (permatune sells one, $pendy), or fabricate a replacement harness yourself.

Hope this helps,

Tom

magster

Thanks I can't wait to give it a try.
Phil

eddychan

Dear Tom,

Had the problem and replaced the CD unit and is now working. It seems to me it is definitelt the faulty unit. Now is it possible to REPAIR the old unit as a standby replacement or it is not an easy task that I should not bother?

Thanks!

Eddie

emcon5

Bosch CDI units can be rebuilt.

Two places I know of do rebuilds, Zim's in Texas, and Otto's in Venice California.

http://www.allzim.com/
http://www.ottosvenice.com/

Zims is cheaper (by about $100) but they are slower. You send them your bad Bosch CD box and they repair it and return it to you. Otto's usually has rebuilt units in stock, but you still need to send them a Bosh CDI to replace their stock.

I believe Pelican Parts did rebuilds as well, but I don't see it listed in their catalog any more. http://www.pelicanparts.com

If your old one is a Permatune, as far as I know you are out of luck.

Tom

eddychan

Dear Tom,

Great and really a big thank to your information.

Cheers!!

Happy Motoring.

Eddie

Lorenfb

Pelican Parts (& many Rennlist sponsors) still provides rebuilt Bosch CD units.
Use these keywords for your search, "rebuilt cd ignition".

Good Luck
Loren
'88 3.2

magster

Tom,
Continuity exists w/in the distributor wires.
Is it logical to try the distributor pulse generator first , and then the cdi
even though wiring tests turn out O.K.
Thanks
Phil