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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Mallory Unilite & MSD

I am looking into a new ignition system. At the moment I run on the standard Lucas points system as it came with my (factory original) GT V8 with 3.5 liter Vitesse spec engine. I want to switch to EFI and I use dual fuel.
It seems like the best system currently available is the Mallory Unilite. Well...so people say. What do you guys think? And could it be combined with an MSD6 AL? What would be the benefits (if any) over a setup with only the Unilite? And what are the drawbacks?
At the moment I have lots of questions, and I am really in need of some good advice. Perhaps there are people out there who use this combination and can comment on it?

Frank
Frank de Groot

FYI: dual fuel is that I sometimes use unleaded, but I also run on LPG. Maybe not popular in the States, but who cares when unleaded costs you so little! It is a bit different over here. To say the least.

Frank
Frank de Groot

Frank,

Any chance you could detail your LPG conversion? It's something I've been considering for a while now that LPG is becoming readily accessible over here. I hear you managed to fit a tank _under the wooden shelf? What type of tank.. C'mon give us all the details. :)

A Unilite is a great distributor. I have a DP Mallory which I removed the internals and fitted a Lumenition Optical sensor and Performance Ignition module/coil. Works great for me. Certainly easier though with the all in one Unilite.

Cheers,
Neil
74 V8
Neil Cotty

Of course I can give details, no problem. If there is more interest I will open a thread with info. In a couple of days I'll arm myself with a digital camera and shoot some pics, so you can see for yourself. My installation is not the best nor the neatest; basically because I use a twin unlinked exhaust. But before I am going to give details I'll write it down. Else I am online for the next four hours!

Frank
Frank de Groot

Frank,

Great, open a thread - looking forward to the pictures and discussion. I think a lot of us UK V8 owners might consider such a project if the tank wasn't on display in the car and was relatively easy to remove. At 0.72p a litre, 24mpg, 45,000mls in the last two years I could certainly do with 36p per litre savings or thereabouts! :) PS - does the spare wheel still fit or did you have to remove it?

Cheers,
Neil
74 V8
Neil Cotty

No, if you want real dual fuel the spare wheel has to go. I'll send you some info I have. But please remember that I don't know any addresses in the UK to have the conversion done RIGHT. After a bad experience with one fitter and some that I know can't be any good either I would be very careful in choosing my supplier.

Frank
Frank de Groot

What about the Ignition question?? Cause I'm in the same boat as Frank. I dont know which one to go with.
Thanks
Wally
Wally Jonker

Neither do I, but at the moment I have the impression that the points work. Having said that, it feels like the car has lost some power/torque. So either I have to set the timing different, or it is just the coil that is also original (so less Kv's flying around). I feel strongly towards something like Aldon Ignitor, Lumenition Optronic, or the Mallory Unilite (maybe with MSD). But there don't seem to be a lot of people using this combination or can comment on it? I am still looking forward to some good advice on this point.

Frank
Frank de Groot

Things like the original pertronix, Magnetronic and Optronic systems are only electronic *triggers*, they are not high voltage electronic igniion systems. Even with the latter dynamometer tests have shown a marginal reduction in power over points, and only any marginal gain at very high rpms. The factory increased the plug gap to 35 thou while still using points, try that.
Paul Hunt

Thanks Paul, will try.

Frank
Frank de Groot

FWIW, I visited a former contender of the London-Sydney marathon. He competed in a Rover P5B with the Rover V8 in the front. Because of regulations he could not do anything else than stick to points, albeit completely overhauled and adjusted to give the best performance. Still he was convinced that points were no problem at all, not even on a performance car and not even in arduous operating conditions.

Frank
Frank de Groot

FWIW: Don't know a thing about LPG, but the Mallory Unilite driving an MSD 6AL box is the favorite setup of the hot-rodding fraternity in the U.S., absolutely without question. The sparks thus produced are pretty amazing, as evidenced by unclipping a plug lead and holding it an inch or so from the block, and you can open up the plug gaps to .050 or even more unless running a really high-comp motor. Most folks laugh at the premise of the MSD box -- that it produces multiple sparks in each cylinder as the fuel-burning process takes place -- but they're very effective whether they actually do that or not!
Bill Withum

I'm running the MSD 6AL and MSD probillet breakerless distributor(buick 215 p/n in MSD catalog) with the blaster 2 coil. Works well for me. I chose to go to elecronic igniition after a set of points fried on me on a high speed run soon after my conversion was completed. I believe this was because doing my conversion I eliminated the ballest resistor to the coil thus frying my points after several hundred miles. It was embarrassing as I had just passed a Volvo at high speed and the next thing I knew I was coasting to a stop. But all in all I'm glad not to have to deal with points anymore.
Michael S. Domanowski

I copied this from the MSD website, it gives the part number at the bottom. Oh I have NO affiliation with MSD other then my name:

MSD Billet
and Pro-Billet™ Distributors
MSD Billet and Pro-Billet are the finest performance and racing distributors available. Every feature is designed to provide the best in performance and endurance to top off your ignition system.



Pro-Billet Buick Distributors
Buick fans will like the performance features engineered into these Buick distributors. Each housing is CNC machined from a billet of 6061-T6 aluminum for an incredibly strong ands flex-free housing. A magnetic pickup provides accurate trigger signals throughout any race rpm your engine may encounter. This pickup is also maintenance-free and plugs directly into an MSD Ignition Control.
For high rpm stability and endurance a .500" steel shaft is supported by a sealed ball bearing. A mechanical advance assembly made up of chrome moly and tig welded for strength is fixed to the top of the shaft for easy adjustment. An MSD Ignition Control must be used.
Small Block, 215, 300, 340, 350 - PN 8548
Big Block, 400, 430, 455 - PN 8517 (shown)
Michael S. Domanowski

Presumably you did something about the coil or ballast or you will be frying that next ...
Paul Hunt

Actually I have run the car a couple of days now with the points. And it runs good. There was a wire that was not really well connected to the starter motor, and after a check-up you now hardly have to turn the key before it runs! And it runs well.
The only pitty is that the starter position of the contact lock is gone. The little spring that pulls back the key is broken. Well, I know who is to blame for this and whos guarantee I am going to claim for it. But that's another thing.

Frank
Frank de Groot

This thread was discussed between 10/12/2002 and 15/12/2002

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

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