pearljam724
Well-Known Member
How difficult or practical is it to bypass the orange ignition box on a 73 and later car ? What’s involved ?
Bypassing orange ignition box ?
- Thread starter pearljam724
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67Dart273
Well-Known Member
Bypass it "with what?" There are lots of options, depending on your budget........
So called "ready to run" distributors most from China, have the electronics all in the dist. Hook to an external coil and power and stuff it in
'Other' Mopar ignition boxes besides the orange box
Mopar/ other dist and MSD
Mopar/ other dist and a GM HEI module
Mallory "something"
Give us a hint what you are on about.................................
So called "ready to run" distributors most from China, have the electronics all in the dist. Hook to an external coil and power and stuff it in
'Other' Mopar ignition boxes besides the orange box
Mopar/ other dist and MSD
Mopar/ other dist and a GM HEI module
Mallory "something"
Give us a hint what you are on about.................................
You can’t bypass it like with a jumper wire if that’s what you meant. It is possible to run a different ignition system or even revert to points with a distributor replacement. Not exactly know what your asking?
pearljam724
Well-Known Member
What I mean, can you bypass it like any other small block ignition system prior to the boxes ? I have another 69 small block car that doesn’t use this box. The box was introduced in 72 or 73 I’m guessing. If I have another car and the orange box is questionable to ignition issues. Can I bypass the orange box, like ignition systems prior to not having them ?
No. Not that I’m aware of. I know what your talking about, on early points ignitions you could run a piece of wire from the battery positive to the + side of the coil and start the car. Hell you could even jump the starter relay with a screw driver and bypass the ignition switch entirely.
pearljam724
Well-Known Member
It has to be able to be done. My 69 small block is the exact same set up. The only difference is prior to the boxes, there were points. Those same points distributors can and mine has been converted to electronic using the same exact original points distributor. No box needed. The later ignition systems have to be able to bypass the ignition box. I just don’t know how. And was wondering who has bypassed it.
The breaker points do just that they open and shut off a distributor cam with 8 positions. There is no points opening and closing in a electron distributor. Only a magnetic pickup with a reluctor and a .008 air gap. Nothing to produce spark without the ECU.
That would be a points distributor then if you want to do away with the brain box.
Your '69 came with a points distributor. I had a '69 Satellite with factory points distributor, ran just fine to my liking.
Have a brand new points distributor in this '91 318 I just built, simple setup to run it on the engine run stand next. Then I don't have to wire up the computer brain for the test run.
One hot wire and an ignition coil, ready to run.
Probably want the ballast resistor inline for your driver.
Why would you want to bypass it if it's working properly? It's a good ignition system.
Your asking if you can bypass an ECU? Yes, tear out the electronic ignition system and wiring and replace with points system.
pearljam724
Well-Known Member
That’s the issue, it’s not.
Ok, then why not simply swap in a good working unit? Wouldn't that be much less work?
Kendog 170
Let the boy go !
Buy this and just plug it in. Has a rev limiter too.
FBO Ignition Systems MOPAR Micro-Processor IGNITION SYSTEMS Digital Micro Processor Circuitry|EPROM Processor with|Built in DEAD STOP Algorithm REV Limiter|Eliminates Ballast Resistor|44KV Output on demand|Plug and Play|one simple wiring modification
FBO Ignition Systems MOPAR Micro-Processor IGNITION SYSTEMS Digital Micro Processor Circuitry|EPROM Processor with|Built in DEAD STOP Algorithm REV Limiter|Eliminates Ballast Resistor|44KV Output on demand|Plug and Play|one simple wiring modification
1963dartgt
Well-Known Member
Im thinking hes talking about something like the pertronix ignition or the fbo set and not bypassing the orange box altogether.
PerTronix Ignitor II® Solid-State Ignition Systems 91381A
PerTronix Ignitor II® Solid-State Ignition Systems 91381A
Kendog 170
Let the boy go !
I thought maybe he just didn't like the box. Easy change. What you presented is a good change if he wants to dump the whole other setup.
1963dartgt
Well-Known Member
Still unclear what he wants but those are solutions to both problems.
67Dart273
Well-Known Member
You were already told this. "Bypass it with what?" this is like bypassing your engine. You don't "bypass" an engine unless you like pushing. I already gave you "some" options in my post above. You can always regress to a breaker points distributor
1963dartgt
Well-Known Member
If diagnosing get a points dist. drop it in and wire it up. My grandpa always told me to keep a points dist. and some speaker wire in the trunk just incase of electronic ignition failure. Never had to use it but its there just in case.
I think it has been asked numerous times here.
What are you trying to do?
Most electronic ignitions OEM or after market use a specific controler box and trigger.
I'm sure there are point triggered boxes out there from years gone by, that could be switched over to using only points in a few minutes on the road if need be,
So back to the real question, what are you trying to achieve?
What are you trying to do?
Most electronic ignitions OEM or after market use a specific controler box and trigger.
I'm sure there are point triggered boxes out there from years gone by, that could be switched over to using only points in a few minutes on the road if need be,
So back to the real question, what are you trying to achieve?
OEM electronics are almost 50 years old. Don't only bypass take it out. There are much better ignitions. I myself like points on a old car. No spark? file the points and your going home. The old mopar electronics were good in there day. That ended in the 90's. The distributors are good but the control boxes never impressed me. Use MSD 6AL for the street. And the MSD digital systems are the best for performance motors
Ain’t a thing wrong with the Mopar electronic ignition to this day. If you have or get a old made in the USA orange box they are as dependable as any. One on my Dart is 16 years old. No issue yet. Yes the can fail like any other brand. I have had MSD 6A, 6AL and 7 AL fail on me.
To each his own. Orange, Chrome and Gold . I had them for many years. They were good in there day. Today with Turbos, Pro-chargers and Super Chargers , + NOS . The new ignitions have come a long way with controlling timing and high energy coils including coil packs.
Sure the mopar electronics were good but the boxes and parts are mostly mail order now and certain PN mopar colis are required. The most popular on the shelf for a performance street cars is MSD . Everyone has used 6AL's for spares in their race trailers. Mostly all brand and make cars the system is interchangeable.
Just think how long ago mopar electronics were first installed. 48 yrs ago , We didn't even have the internet then or cordless phones. Cell phones were only seen on Lost in Space and Star Trek. Unless your looking for a nostalgia looking ignition like the orange box under the hood. I would upgrade and not think twice about it. If you have it and it works and you like it Keep it.
BillGrissom
Well-Known Member
Since you apparently have a small-block V-8, buy a ready-to-run HEI distributor on ebay from Skip White Performance and others. I paid $45, plus another $20 for an e-core coil. If you want to be more Mopar, use the coil from a 1980-90's Magnum engine in the junkyard. Your OE coil can't handle HEI. Why go back to points? If you did, you would need a points distributor, which will likely cost more, plus the correct ballast resistor and modify your wiring harness to match.
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