Classic Alfa Forums

Hi Everyone
I've been looking at these Programable distributors, my car has a Marelli ignition system, can I use one in my car and are they worth the investment?

I think thats the same as Simon (Marlowsud) is using in his race car to great effect.

He'd be the guy to speak with if he pops along, he certainly reported good things last time i spoke with him.

It is absolutely brilliant. I picked the Bluetooth model that syncs to your iphone. The tuner loved it as he could change the ignition timing while sat in the driving seat on his iphone.
This is the model you need to buy for a sud:
This is how my ignition is set up:
I have also bought one for the 131.

Brgds
Simon

That is a great recommendation, although on the box it says it replaces a Bosch distributor, were mine is a Marelli.
Will that make any difference?

Hi Sudman,
I got rid of the Marelli Ignition Completely.
123 ign and a Bosch Blue High Energy coil. Pics as follows:
Brgds
Simon

I forgot to say that 123 ign will supply the Bosch Blue Coil and the Ignition leads are Magnecor and the plugs are Bosch as follows:
Brgds
Simon

Hi
Thanks for all the info, from your photos do it looks like you wire the distributor straight to the coil, so there is no ignition module.
Is that correct?

Hi Sudman,
That is correct. The distributor is wired directly to the coil. There is no module next to the coil anymore.
Of course in a racing car I had no need for the capacitor to suppress radio interference and I have no vacuum tube from the manifold to the distributor. The distributor does have a vacuum advance pipe if you want to use it. The instructions for setup are good.

All the best,
Simon

I forgot to say that I bought some braided expandable flex sleeve with heat shrink at either end to make a neat little harness.

I picked this up from Toms super neat wiring and wanted to maintain the standard.

Brgds
Simon

That's good advice, I've also looked at the options available and I can buy the distributor with the cap with the leads going in the top for the "stock" look. One other thing before I spend more of my hard earned!!, will my rev counter still work ?
Thanks for your advice

Hi Sudman,

Good question because my rev counter is driven from a gear on the end of the near side camshaft.

I would imagine the original rev counter just has a connection the positive and negative terminals of the coil plus an earth lead? as that is how my rev limiter is wired.

Can anyone on the forum advise on this point please?

Brgds
Simon

Just removed the black and green wire from the negative side of the coil and the Rev counter isn't working, so in theory if that wire is used on the new coil it should continue to function.
Happy days !!!

Hi Marlow Sud
Just a thought where did you buy yours from?

Direct from 123 reg in Holland.

Brgds
Simon

Hi Marlow Sud

Just fitted the 123 Tune using your curve, best thing Ive bought for my car.
The engine starts better, idles better, just taken it for a quick spin round the block and the accelaration is much smoother !!!
Fantastic bit of kit, great recommendation
Many Thanks

Hi Sudman,

Really pleased it has worked out so well for you.

Brgds,
Simon

Hi folks,

Picked up one of these yesterday for my 16v.

Seems to be an excellent piece of kit. The engine has been running on carbs with an old 1.3l Bosch dizzy for +e last 10 years so I've programmed a standard ignition curve into the 123.

Now that I gave the ability to adjust, I'm wondering g if anyone knows the timing curve for the 16v?