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·Since there might be some inte
Since there might be some interest on the board, here is my research on ignition replacement options for 308s and 328s. Will cover distributor based systems first
Anatomy.
First it's important to know a few differences between the cars.
Early Euro 308s - Single distributor with twin points driving twin coils. Basically twwo distributors sharing a common cap. Late in the run there is a version of this single distributor with an electronic pickup (rare, sought after, and expensive).
American 308s - two 4-cyl distributors run by two sets of points in each distributor. One is specifically set to modify the timing for emissions purposes at slow running. Many folks simply disconnect these as they are not neccesary to run the car and can be a poop to set.
Fuel injected cars - here we go to Marelli electronic ignition driven by magnetic flywheel sensors. The 2v and qvs have 'Digiplex' systems with two seperate electronic control units (ECUs) firing a coil for each bank, which is partitioned out to the sparking plugs via a cap and rotor on the intake cams of each bank. The 328 and Mondial 3.2 updated to 'Microplex' with a single ECU driving both coils.
Aftermarket replacement issues:
This focuses on the little cam plug on the intake cam that will either drive a distributor as in the early V-8s, or three different rotor drives on the Digiplex/Microplex ignitions. It is important to note that the cam must come out for this plug to be changed. The 2v mounts a post drive for a now near extinct rotor (read $$$$) while the qv rotor post is different and the rotors somewhat more available (read $$). A popular option for 2v guys is to convert to the qv rotor and driver. The 3.2 liter engine is the most funky with the rotor held on by 3 screws into the plug on the end of the cam (TRs are similar). The caps on all of the electronic ignitions are the same.
Options out there:
1. The single Euro distributor pretty much bolts on I'm told to the same distributor drive as the US cars. These are available, but a bit dear, especially the Euro electronic triggered version (purchase sources: Steve Ahlgrim, Dennis McCann)
2. A popular addition which increases the life of points and improves the spark on distributor engines are boxes like Multiple Spark Discharge (MSD) units. These work to lower the current across the points giving them a much longer life, and yield longer sparking duration improving idle and performance.
3.Many points have been converted to optical triggers (e.g. Pertronix), replacing the points and usuall combined with an MSD or other driver. It's important to use a ballasted resistor with the coil if not using an MSD, as ALL optical triggers (Pertronix, Mallory, etc) are sensitive to voltage spikes.
4.The Ben Millermon Single Distributor Conversion Tampa resident Ben Millermon has pioneered a custom single distributor using a standard Mallory optical trigger with readily available caps and rotors (Search www.FerrariChat.com. for details) There are many of these on 2v cars replacing the dual distributors and owners say they work quite well. These clamp on where the cap was and use the stock rotor drive post. Development problems centered around driving the tach, but he has a custom tach driver now. Cost around $500 without an MSD. While not yet commonly available for the funky 3.2 rotor mount, it is in development.
5. Norwood Performance Single Distributor. This Dallas Texas based Ferrari shop converts 2v distributor to an electronic trigger and somehow uses a Chevy cap. I think the cost is also around $500. They do not do these for 3.2s
6. Mallory Unilite distributor and Norwood adaptor. What Norwood will do for 3.2s is make an adapterkit for the Mallory Unilite electronic distributor for a flathead V-8 Ford. This plate bolts on to the head and attaches an offset drive dog to run the $238 Mallory distributor. The kit costs about $550 - $600
Distributorless Ignitions
If you want to keep your fuel induction but go to a distributorless electronic ignition, Electromotive make a unit for the Ferrari available from Nick's Forza Ferrari. It uses a magnetic sensor mounted on the front of the engine reading pulses from a ring that is machined onto the front pully or damper. Cost is about $1500 before installation. Nick sells the unit already modded for the Ferrari tach drive.
Tachometer drive
While we are on the subject, the Ferrari tachometer in the V-8 cars mentioned is really a 4 cylinder tach that is run off of one cylinder bank's coil or ECU. This is important if you are going to a single coil set-up. If you are unable to use the original sensors and ECU to drive the tach (will let you know in a couple of weeks) then you need to get a converter from Ben Millermon or have a reputable tachometer place convert the tach to a single coil signal.
Please let me know of any corrections or additions. Hope this helps.
best
rt
Pictures:
Euro single distributor schematic
![]()
Millermon Distributor installed
![]()
Norwood single distributor
![]()
Mallory Single Distributor
![]()
Since there might be some interest on the board, here is my research on ignition replacement options for 308s and 328s. Will cover distributor based systems first
Anatomy.
First it's important to know a few differences between the cars.
Early Euro 308s - Single distributor with twin points driving twin coils. Basically twwo distributors sharing a common cap. Late in the run there is a version of this single distributor with an electronic pickup (rare, sought after, and expensive).
American 308s - two 4-cyl distributors run by two sets of points in each distributor. One is specifically set to modify the timing for emissions purposes at slow running. Many folks simply disconnect these as they are not neccesary to run the car and can be a poop to set.
Fuel injected cars - here we go to Marelli electronic ignition driven by magnetic flywheel sensors. The 2v and qvs have 'Digiplex' systems with two seperate electronic control units (ECUs) firing a coil for each bank, which is partitioned out to the sparking plugs via a cap and rotor on the intake cams of each bank. The 328 and Mondial 3.2 updated to 'Microplex' with a single ECU driving both coils.
Aftermarket replacement issues:
This focuses on the little cam plug on the intake cam that will either drive a distributor as in the early V-8s, or three different rotor drives on the Digiplex/Microplex ignitions. It is important to note that the cam must come out for this plug to be changed. The 2v mounts a post drive for a now near extinct rotor (read $$$$) while the qv rotor post is different and the rotors somewhat more available (read $$). A popular option for 2v guys is to convert to the qv rotor and driver. The 3.2 liter engine is the most funky with the rotor held on by 3 screws into the plug on the end of the cam (TRs are similar). The caps on all of the electronic ignitions are the same.
Options out there:
1. The single Euro distributor pretty much bolts on I'm told to the same distributor drive as the US cars. These are available, but a bit dear, especially the Euro electronic triggered version (purchase sources: Steve Ahlgrim, Dennis McCann)
2. A popular addition which increases the life of points and improves the spark on distributor engines are boxes like Multiple Spark Discharge (MSD) units. These work to lower the current across the points giving them a much longer life, and yield longer sparking duration improving idle and performance.
3.Many points have been converted to optical triggers (e.g. Pertronix), replacing the points and usuall combined with an MSD or other driver. It's important to use a ballasted resistor with the coil if not using an MSD, as ALL optical triggers (Pertronix, Mallory, etc) are sensitive to voltage spikes.
4.The Ben Millermon Single Distributor Conversion Tampa resident Ben Millermon has pioneered a custom single distributor using a standard Mallory optical trigger with readily available caps and rotors (Search www.FerrariChat.com. for details) There are many of these on 2v cars replacing the dual distributors and owners say they work quite well. These clamp on where the cap was and use the stock rotor drive post. Development problems centered around driving the tach, but he has a custom tach driver now. Cost around $500 without an MSD. While not yet commonly available for the funky 3.2 rotor mount, it is in development.
5. Norwood Performance Single Distributor. This Dallas Texas based Ferrari shop converts 2v distributor to an electronic trigger and somehow uses a Chevy cap. I think the cost is also around $500. They do not do these for 3.2s
6. Mallory Unilite distributor and Norwood adaptor. What Norwood will do for 3.2s is make an adapterkit for the Mallory Unilite electronic distributor for a flathead V-8 Ford. This plate bolts on to the head and attaches an offset drive dog to run the $238 Mallory distributor. The kit costs about $550 - $600
Distributorless Ignitions
If you want to keep your fuel induction but go to a distributorless electronic ignition, Electromotive make a unit for the Ferrari available from Nick's Forza Ferrari. It uses a magnetic sensor mounted on the front of the engine reading pulses from a ring that is machined onto the front pully or damper. Cost is about $1500 before installation. Nick sells the unit already modded for the Ferrari tach drive.
Tachometer drive
While we are on the subject, the Ferrari tachometer in the V-8 cars mentioned is really a 4 cylinder tach that is run off of one cylinder bank's coil or ECU. This is important if you are going to a single coil set-up. If you are unable to use the original sensors and ECU to drive the tach (will let you know in a couple of weeks) then you need to get a converter from Ben Millermon or have a reputable tachometer place convert the tach to a single coil signal.
Please let me know of any corrections or additions. Hope this helps.
best
rt
Pictures:
Euro single distributor schematic
Millermon Distributor installed
Norwood single distributor
Mallory Single Distributor
