I fitted a High Energy ignition system to My autostick and WOW....

68autobug · 19 October 2007, 17:15

I made up a High Energy ignition syatem a few years ago and have just fitted it to My beetle engine.
it still uses points but they won't burn up etc due to the low current flowing thru them.
I drove 30 miles to the next town today, and I feel like I have another 10-15 Horsepower...
My acceleration figures have improved a lot...
it actually feels like its going places...
I love it....
I can overtake other cars, even going up hills...

Lee

One Happy autobug driver -- Beep Beep - I'm coming past- Beep
[/b]

greenghia · 19 October 2007, 19:36

Hey Lee, Good work, I think that a lot of people are running less than optimum ignition systems and don't have any way to tell short of buying all new stuff. How did you put the ignition together? Sounds interesting! The ignition is the only performance thing that I'm considering for mine as a good spark goes a loooong way.

68autobug · 21 October 2007, 18:07

Hi,
it was in kit form ...... Universal High Energy Ignition System .. part no K3303..
they have sold thousands of these kits over the years... [in Aust]
You can use points or hall effect or reluctor systems..
it puts out very high voltage at the same duration regardless of engine revs
I'm just wondering about the coil being very hot..
so, I'm going to carry a spare...
but I'm very satisfied with the extra power, acceleration and instant starting..

I presume a petronix would do the same...

I just read where this high energy ignition will work between 4 and 22 volts
so it could have been fitted to a 6 volt beetle...

I couldn't find anywhere to put the box...
Maybe, next time the engine is out, I'll put it behind the fan housing..
along with a spare coil... Here is a pic..

Lee -

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

greenghia · 22 October 2007, 15:55

Hey thanks Lee, I searched and found one here in the states for 19.95. I'm gonna order it, build it and put it in, will let you know how it works out!

68autobug · 22 October 2007, 16:20

Good news and a bargain....
these kits cost $95-00 over here..

they must charge a lot for the circuit board as the components
shouldn't cost much...

cheers

Lee

Chris the Eagle · 23 October 2007, 02:39

Hey green

Where did you find the kit, what dealer?

thanks

greenghia · 23 October 2007, 16:45

Hey Chris, Check here www.hobbytron.com/vk2543.html.

Achilles · 24 October 2007, 18:24

Wow...now this sounds like something I need to have. Everyone talks about how 'doggy' the A/S is...I'd love to prove that wrong...for $US 20!!!

Lee - how did you arrive at this choice vs. the Pertronix, etc. systems that are on offer? And for a going rate of $AUS 95...shouldn't you be MAKING and SELLING a knockoff at a ridiculous profit, at half that price?

68autobug · 25 October 2007, 03:53

After reading how the high energy ignition worked , I really liked it..

Also, if it ever fails... I just disconnect the HEI leads from the coil
and connect the condenser to the dizzy and to the coil...
and away I go...

Lee

[/color]

Wayne Venomous · 13 November 2007, 23:43

Hey Lee,

I've been using these for years! They're actually branded as Velleman kits in Europe.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3162&&source=14&doy=search

Got one on my Baja Bug and had one on my Bay camper (which I sold with it still on) and they've been fantastic! My Bay camper did on average 33 miles per gallon with it when I drove it to Germany and back last year. (1600cc engine, twin Weber IDFs, single quietpack exhaust, stock "black" coil)

Make sure you've got good HT leads - I couldn't believe it but the spark is actually capable of jumping over 4 inches and if the insulation on your HT leads aren't up to it, you'll quickly know about it. Especially if your arm is less than 4 inches away from the distributor.....

68autobug · 17 November 2007, 14:59

Well, I've adjusted the distributor and leads with the engine going and i'm still alive.. lol...
I am using the original type VW wire leads, which were new when I put them on.. I have looked at other high tension leads but they are very expensive over here..
I also use the VW spark plug resistor plugs on the spark plugs, but I have replaced the resisitor VW rotor in the distributor to a non resistor type i bought from the US.. as i thought it mau blow the resistor in the rotor..
as it can happen with the standard ignition system..
I did replace the coil I had , after fitting the High Energy system, and threw it away.. I had the same intermittant problem a couple of nights ago out on the highway, and found next day, the power wire to the coil was loose..
so, I soldered another terminal onto the wire, and no more problems..
I have also upped My idle to around 900RPM...
it was much lower before...
and didn't like to idle when cold...

so, now i have Power and economy, and i love it...

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

BEEP BEEP Move over, here I come.... 68Autobug

Bookwus · 06 December 2007, 05:20

Hiya Lee,

After doing a bit of research, I've decided to jump on the CDI bandwagon.

After trolling around on e-Bay and a few other places I have managed to put together a CDI "system" for about $140US. Four components in the system...........1. An MDS-5 CDI......2. An MDS High Output Coil......3. Resistorless Rotor from CB Performance.....and 4. A set of Thunderbolt High Output wires (really nice) from CB Performance.

I would have gone with the kit CDI but I ran into two items which turned me the other way. One was an article on how much improved the electrcal internals were on the commercial CDI units in recent years. Seems that heat used to be a major killer of these systems - not anymore. And they mentioned MSD being a quality name. Secondly, I ran into a guy who was selling a brand new MSD-5 (usually $108 to $125) for $70. Couldn't pass that up.

If this works well on the Bug, I'll have to do the same conversion on the Bus. I should have everything together and installed before the new year, so I'll let you know how it goes.

68autobug · 06 December 2007, 05:57

Hi Mike,
I think You have done the right thing...
MSD products are excellent but to buy the full MSD kit in Australia
is VERY Expensive...
I suppose thats why many aussies are using the HEI DIY kits...
and they have been around for over 10 years...
and there were earlier designs before that...
and there were CDI DIY kits before that...

the MSD spark plug leads are beautiful..
I'd love a set of those...

I hope You have the success I have had with the better ignition system...

I didn't really think it would make that much difference...

cheers

Lee

68autobug · 30 April 2008, 10:53

I have relocated My electronic high energy ignition box to behind the fan shroud
so it cannot be seen now..

but it is still working great...

and it really did make a difference...

Lee

I'm driving My beetle now every chance i get....[/glow]
[/b]