Electronic Ignition

[Lion_UK]

I have been thinking to upgrade my standard 1982 316 Auto to electronic ignition.

Can you recommend any particular systems/models/brands/features to look for?

Thanks in advance

[Dammizi]

is it not already on electronic iginition? or do you mean distributorless electronic ignition setup?

[Jeroen]

Correct, opinions on exact dates vary but no later than 1980 all E21's had a breakerless electronic ignition. So I also expected he meant a distributorless ignition but no experience on conversions of that kind.

[Lion_UK]

Yes, distributor-less ignition!

[e21Keith]

What would be the point? It's a 316, I cant see there would be much if any improvement in performance!

[petroscf]

I had noticed big improvement on mine (316 '77 with distributor) when I replaced from points into hot spark electronic ignition
And I kept this now, refitted inside the centrifugal 2002tii distributor which I fitted now to match the new engine
It felt like having 200cc more? torque "feel like" was much higher-and I could notice results on the road as well so I guess more than just "feel like"

I would suggest hot spark to Lion, but I don't know whether they deal with distributor less models, so why not check it yourself? www.hot-spark.com

[Jeroen]

The problem is always what was the cause of what. If you replace a worn dizzy with ditto rotor arm, cap and leads to all new stuff that is bound to make a huge difference, but 80% would perhaps already be gained by fresh original parts. Same with suspension mods for example, when you're coming from worn old stuff anything fresh will give an immediate improvement but that makes it hard to establish what part is on the fact the parts are new, and what part is the upgrade

[petroscf]

The problem is always what was the cause of what. If you replace a worn dizzy with ditto rotor arm, cap and leads to all new stuff that is bound to make a huge difference, but 80% would perhaps already be gained by fresh original parts. Same with suspension mods for example, when you're coming from worn old stuff anything fresh will give an immediate improvement but that makes it hard to establish what part is on the fact the parts are new, and what part is the upgrade

I can't disagree on this, although I remember that we had fairly recently replaced the points by new ones, back then, when the part from hot spark arrived
Anyway my ex mechanic is a good mechanic, but not a bmw one. And I am just a poor architect

[Lion_UK]

What would be the point? It's a 316, I cant see there would be much if any improvement in performance!

Because my distributor needs replacing and upgrading to a distribution-less will require little to no maintenance. In terms of improvement, it will mean better starting, smoother idle and running.

[e21Keith]

So as Jeroen says, You are unlikely to see any improvement over the original contactless system if it all works properly.

[E21-driver]

I would not recommend to modify the 82 system.
Changing an old 30 years old coil and a new cap and cable set will improve this system more than enough for a street car. Modifications above that are thought for track cars. Just regarding the 82 system, which should be already pointless (inductive).
M.

[BertjeConti]

I have been thinking to upgrade my standard 1982 316 Auto to electronic ignition.

Can you recommend any particular systems/models/brands/features to look for?

Thanks in advance

Many many possibilities here. I've done it with a megasquirt setup. Ignition only is possible with megasquirt and when you get hooked to the system full sequential injection isn't far away anymore.

The most easy way is go for a megasquirt wasted spark setup, this means the spark plugs are fired 2 by 2 with a 4 cilinder coilpack. Coilpacks are cheap to become, and there are only 2 further sensors needed: 1) crankshaft position sensor 2) Manifolt pressure sensor.

The crankshaft position sensor is your biggest concern because M10 engine's never had a factory motronic setup, so there aren't bolt on triggerwheels available from later M10 engines. I don't know if a M40 or M43 triggerwheel would fit.

COP (coil on plug) is also possible, but that requires a extra camshaft position sensor.