Distributor
Turbo Mini Forums

I have what i am told is a standard ish mg metro turbo engine in my mini. Driving at a steady speed at very light throttle it pinks.
Is there a different distributor which has less vacuum advance or is it better to limit the vacuum advance in the one i have?

Ignition timing was on 10btdc when i got the car, now set it to 6 as that seems to be whats advised as a good starting point, but it is not as responsive to drive now.
I will be taking it to a rolling road but need to get this sorted out first.

Thanks

it is possible to swap the vac can on the side of the distributor, but the route most people take is to fit a megajolt mapped system and remove the dizzy altogether.

Thanks.
Is there a particular vac unit to go for?

I wanted to keep it as is at the moment to see what its actually like when its all working properly, but am thinking of injection with intercooler etc at a later date possibly.........

Thanks.
Is there a particular vac unit to go for?

I wanted to keep it as is at the moment to see what its actually like when its all working properly, but am thinking of injection with intercooler etc at a later date possibly.........

it would be pot luck really, theres not a lot of info on them,

of course it might be better to check the timing with the vac advance disconnected if you have a timing gun, you might find its over advancing of somthing, just check it at idle ,2k and 5k and see if it ties up with the figures here.

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=808

also you could try 8 deg, half way beween where youve got it and where it was...

also if its a bit lean that could make it pink at mid range

Thanks. Thats great info.
I have something to aim for now.

There was a specific vacuum advance unit for the turbo dizzy. Probably not that easy to come by, and possibly won't be cheap as it would be coveted by the people who want an original concours car. You wouldn't want to go fitting a random dizzy to gain off boost drivabilty and risk on boost problems.

I seem to recall the suggested advance was 7°BTDC at 1500rpm, and it was designed for four star only. You need to be running super unleaded if you aren't already.

You'll never get it running well on old distributors. Megajolt, or similar, is the way to go.

Vacuum advance unit on my NOS Turbo dizzy 42628 has a Lucas number 54404023.

Thanks guys.
At the moment i am running with the vacuum advance disconnected. Its maybe a tad flat if im really picky but drives really well, better than i thought it should really. Advancing it a few degrees makes it feel better so there is a bit of potential at least!
I use shell v power and an additive in the fuel just in case.
I will see what distributor i have in it and go easy with it until i get it on the rolling road.