FBO vs. Petronix Ignitor 3 experience/opinions

[biomedtechguy]

After being "sure" that a MSD Digital 6AL was going to be the upgrade replacing the Mopar electronic ignition that was in my 70 Roadrunner when I bought it, I wound up getting a FBO system from Don: ECU, distributor, and coil last week of April. The concepts as explained to me by Don, the questions he asked, and the product solution he provided made sense. I have tried to adjust the vacuum advance can with a 3/32nds Allen wrench, but I can't get the wrench to bite. I also have the capability of changing springs, weights, and the total timing lock disc. So there are additional tweaks that I can explore.
Having said that, I am really intrigued by the Ignitor 3 and Flamethrower 3 combo and if any of you have experience with BOTH or either system, I would appreciate your sharing. Thanks.

 

[hunt2elk]

The vac can adjuster screw on the FBO distributors I have is a 2.5mm. Did you get it to run good?

 

[biomedtechguy]

I tried different standard and metric allens, but I will try the 2.5. Don set me up with 12° vac advance at idle, 16 mechanical all in at 3k, and 18 initial with 34 locked as max. I have made a number of adjustments to the center and outboard carbs idle mixture screws after the ignition system install with really good results. Still, the multi spark and other aspects of the Ignitor 3 are tempting.

 

[eric383]

I am running the ignitor 3 on my 63. I liked the fact that it had the multi spark and rev limiter. Also I didn't need to run a separate ignition box. I can't say if it's better or not. Good luck.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Thanks Eric. So far, the Ignitor 3 is highly praised. I'm going to talk with the Petronix manufacturer too.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Per Pertronix, the Ignitor 3 module-equipped billet distributor will more likely than not require removing cylinder head material for it to fit. It provides multiple spark throughout the rpm range (unlike the 3k limit of the MSD units) it has mechanical advance limits set at 24° stock with built-in 20/16/12° limit capabilities. The vac can is not adjustable, but an adjustable vac can is available as a customer installed add on.
For anyone not wanting/willing to clearance their cylinder head, I would suggest getting a single point Mopar distributor and just convert it using the Ignitor 3 module. Rev limiter randomly chooses which cylinders that don't fire, so fuel build up etc. shouldn't be a problem.
Anyone else want to add to this?

 

[eric383]

I have heard that about their billet distributor. I just used a stock points distributor and put the module in that. I like the stock look.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Thanks Eric. Was it a single-point distributor?

 

[eric383]

Thanks Eric. Was it a single-point distributor?

Yes it was.

 

[DP78]

Yes, I have the billet dist in my 383 RR and I had to grind just a little casting slag off the head for it to fit. Was not that big of an issue and make sure you bypass ballast resistor, it needs full 12V for it to run properly. I like it and have had zero issues with it so far.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Cool. Thanks guys.