Distributor Concerns on my 1.7 Options

[Literati914]

This electronic points replacement unit was installed on my 1.7 when the engine was rebuilt, just before I got the car (engine never started or reinstalled at that point). Now the engine is in (5 years later) and I’m getting ready to try to fire it up for the first time. I’ve turned my attention to the distributor and since I have no experience with these electronic inserts and no installation instructions or paperwork, would first like to know if anyone recognizes this particular unit? - it’s red and I’m only seeing black ones on type 4 when searching. And is there any glaring mistakes that you guys see to the installation?

[technicalninja]

Yes, it does not use the condenser.

When I've installed optical or mag based points replacement like yours I've almost always installed a CDI box as well.

I sort of see those as two parts of a whole.

In the past the CDI box was also the thing that set rpm limits as well.

Some of the fancier CDI boxes had timing adjusters in them.

Most common of these pups were a reduce timing when XXX happens for boost or N02 applications.

These were crude and similar to what the 123 can do.

Now days the EFI stand alone can whip the shit out of the CDI box as it can control timing VERY accurately and do the boost/nitrous retards as SOP.

In today's world I'd chose a full-on stand alone to just do ignition duties over an old school ignitor and CDI box.

The modern way eliminates the distributor completely and allows waste spark or COP.