Electronic ignition and silicone plug leads

[GeoffK]

Hi. When changing to electronic ignition is there any need to change to silicone plug leads? Geoff

[Ian F]

Hi Geoff. Others on here who have electronic ignition will no doubt give a definitive answer, but I do recall that for some at least, copper ignition leads were not suitable. Why, I have no idea!!

Ian F

[Vic Butler]

I fitted Lumenition Optronic electronic ignition to my. 1977 BGT with Lumenition plug leads and Lumenition ballast resistor coil.

[Statler]

I changed to a Powerspark distributor and their recommened 8mm double silicone plug leads.
I also added a proper internally ballasted Viper coil and bypassed the wiring harness ballast wire.

I had a set of silicone NGK plug leads which had been the my toolbox from the late 1980s. They didn't work well at all and are now adorning the garage wall as art!

To me, plug leads should be treated a consumables and replaced every few years.

[GeoffK]

Have read somewhere that the electronic system generates a lot higher voltage,40000 volts in lieu of 30000 for the traditional points system, Apparently the copper leads struggle to cope with the higher voltage.This probably explains why the electronic system gives a better spark and hence easier starting and better performance. The silicone leads cope with the 40000 volts generated by the electronic system. My leads are already silicone so no need to change them when I fit the electronic system. I am going for the Powerspark conversion as the distributor is fairly new and Powerspark are based only a couple of miles away. Cheers Geoff

[Statler]

Geoff,
Jon at Powerspark was very helpful when I was buying mine.
So much so, that i got a full setup for the Midget as well.

[Charles Farran]

I fitted a 123 Distributor way back in 2011 & have never regretted it , albeit it is probably at the more expensive end of the market. (The fitting notes / tips said "Resistor- core silicone ignition-leads are the better choice"). I appreciate that some owners have had different experiences with various electronic ignition products & the purists insist that the original distributor points is the only way to go.
Cheers,
Charles

[Allan T]

I wasn't expecting much, but saw a huge difference when I swapped from my old-tech copper HT leads. Most obviously, easier starting with less choke, and the choke going in almost straight away, instead of after a couple of miles or so.

Fairly cheap, very easy, and a big difference.

Do you need to?

No.

But in my view you'd be daft not to.


Allan