Hello all,
What are the options for a mechanical distributor (not EFI) on a performance 6 cylinder M20?
The reason I ask - I am building a 2.8l stroker M20 with triple 44 IDFs. I could run the 1.3 motronic from the E30 purely for the ignition however it is a lot effort to convert and then tuning ignition timing requires much more effort than turning a dizzy. Which of the many M20 distributors are best for performance and higher revs? are there any aftermarket distributors available? I have found this list of factory dizzys:
E21 323i ("77-82) distributor no# 0237 302 006
with quoted timing at 22 degs advance at 1500 rpm
E21 323i late- 0237 302 032
19degs at 3000 rpm
323i 1982-1983 dist no 0237 302 038
19degs at 3000 rpm
323i 1983-1984 dist no 0237 302 040
16 degs at 5000 rpm
323i 1985-1986 dist no 0237 304 025
16 degs at 5000 rpm
320i/6 1982-1983 dist no 0237 302 037
26 degs at 3000rpm
320i/6 dist no 0237 302 039
23 degs at 5000 rpm
320i/6 dist no 0237 304 024
23 degs at 5000 rpm
Thanks in advance.
Performance Distributor
- BertjeConti
- E21 Mad
- Posts: 3120
- Joined: Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:49 pm
- My E21(s): E12 520-6
- Location: nederland , Weert
Re: Performance Distributor
Is the location of the dizzy not interfering with the carburettor setup ?
You could go for a megasquirt wasted spark or cop ignition setup only. Megasquirt is easy to tune.
You could go for a megasquirt wasted spark or cop ignition setup only. Megasquirt is easy to tune.

Megasquirted '77 E12 520-6
Aspen Silver '96 E39 523i
Re: Performance Distributor
No the distributor is easily accessible see this link for pics of the setup on other carsBertjeConti wrote:Is the location of the dizzy not interfering with the carburettor setup ?
You could go for a megasquirt wasted spark or cop ignition setup only. Megasquirt is easy to tune.
http://www.e28.se/forum/viewtopic.php?id=10849