Saab 99 Electronic ignition recommendations?

Hello all,

I am thinking of installing an electronic ignition unit in my 1980 Saab 99.

Any recommendations or advice on this?

(I am in The Netherlands)

Thanks, Richard.

Reply to
OKOK!
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It has to be Lumenition - their electronic ignition is just lovely, and extremely robust.

Reply to
Grunff

in article snipped-for-privacy@uni-berlin.de, Grunff at snipped-for-privacy@ixxa.com wrote on

13/07/2004 22:08:

This month's 'Retro Cars' magazine has a full HOWTO article about fitting Lumenition's optronic ignition system. It looks soooo easy ..

Paul

1989 900 Turbo S
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Reply to
Paul Halliday

Hi!

Thanks for the reply, I checked on one Dutch site and found this: Lumenition Optronic ignition Lumenition Magnetronic

What is the difference between these two types?

I can see the pricediff....:) Lumenition optronic ontsteking Euro 305,00 incl LUPMA50

  • Lumenition montage kit Euro 27,50 incl LUFKxxx

That totals 332,50 Euro ......

and the Magnetronic version is about half that price?:

MAGNETRONIC BOSCH 0231/4C/221 Euro 166,50 incl LUMTK001

Is the optical system that much better?

Richard.

Reply to
OKOK!

in article snipped-for-privacy@uni-berlin.de, Grunff at snipped-for-privacy@ixxa.com wrote on

13/07/2004 23:05:

Interesting. Thanks for the perspective :)

Paul

1989 900 Turbo S
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Reply to
Paul Halliday

I would actually rather go for the magnetic version over the optical. The optical ignition system is what Lumenition became famous for, but magnetic ignition (Hall effect) has won the day on reliability.

Reply to
Grunff

:-)

Look at it this way - of the modern cars left which use conventional ignition (as opposed to DI type setups or other 2 coil/4 coil systems) how many use Hall effect and how many use optical? I can't actually name a single one that uses optical. It's not down to price, because the price difference vanishes when you mass produce.

Reply to
Grunff

Thanks Paul, Grunff! I did expect some feedback here, but am really surprised about the speed of it...!

I think you just saved me some 160 Euro's... I was thinking the optical system would be better (because more expensive? :-) ). Free beer time? :-D

Thanks again, Richard.

Reply to
OKOK!

Wouldn't it be possible to use an ignition from an early 900?

Richard.

Reply to
OKOK!

The optical system is the old system that has a separate box outside the distributor with the works in it. The magnetic one is a hall effect system that fits inside the distributor. I have just fitted a Pertronix Ignitor Hall Effect system in my Lotus, and it went in with just three screws in place of the pints. I assume they do one for the 99. Got it for US$70 form Import Parts Specialists of Idaho; they have a web-site, as do Pertronix. I will do my 99 when I have finished the Lotus.

Reply to
Richard Sutherland-Smith

Hmmm...

Your engine is a B type engine, with the distributor driven off a lay shaft. I don't think any B engined 900s came with electronic ignition (could be wrong, but don't think so).

If this is the case, then you'd need to install the hall rotor and sensor from a later 900 distributor into your distributor. This is probably doable, but may need some machining of parts to fit.

In addition to the components inside the distributor, you'll need the ignition amp and the coil (the coil is different).

So I guess the answer to your question is yes it is possible, but may not be as easy as fitting an aftermarket item.

Reply to
Grunff

Surprise surprise! I just found out that some of the 99's from 1984 had electronic ignition off-factory! Can anyone confirm that?

Now if I could just find one ....

Thanks, Richard.

Reply to
OKOK!

Whoops, sent the first reply by email instead of to the group.

The 99 with electronic ignition was a H type engine, The 99 and 900 B type turbo has electronic ignition, but the parts are becoming hard to find. I just might know someone who has some..............

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Reply to
saabtech

I have Pertronics in my '62 Buick. I also recommend it. If you do a search on it, you will find some detractors, though. The way see it is: I'll keep a set of points in the glove compartment and if it quits, I'll just put the points in and drive it back home.

KeithG

Richard Sutherland-Smith wrote:

Reply to
KeithG

It reminds me that many years ago I had an old FIAT 132 without electronic ignition. I fitted a kit that didn't replace the distributor, but it was a kind of electronic amplifier that took the current load off the distributor. It worked brilliantly, if only I could remember the name. These kits were quite popular in the early 1980's.

Reply to
Johannes H Andersen

Don't Maplin sell something similar as a parts kit these days?

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Velleman ignition AMP?

Reply to
MeatballTurbo

Yes, I've actually made up a few of those, and used them successfully on a variety of cars including my old Combi Coupe.

But there's a fundamental difference between these and the Lumenition products - with ignition amps what you do is use the existing points to switch a transistor, which you then use to switch the coil. The advantage is no points wear, faster switching time and better quality spark. But it's not quite as good as doing away with the points altogether, which is what Lumenition setups do.

Reply to
Grunff

Hello, Someone here has a "Sparkrite electronic ignition" for sale ... it's cheap.... and used... but any good?

Richard.

Reply to
OKOK!

I have Newtronic units in my '72 Sonett and the '79 96 and a Lumenition 'ignitor' in the '77 96. Both types work OK.

Me too... I have bought the Newtronic units from the (then) dealer in Roodeschool. I believe they are in Utrecht now. Check 'Automobiel Klassiek' (daar wordt in geadverteerd). The Lumenition unit came from Chip Lamb.

------ MH '72 97 '77 96 '78 95 '79 96 '87 900T8

Reply to
MH

Oh yeah, knew the difference. just pointing out to Johan that they still exist, so if needed he could replace a burn't out one or add one to acar that needed it.

Reply to
MeatballTurbo

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