Judging question, TI converted

[Michael J.]

I am going through my '67 L71 to prep for judging in a few months, and according to my tank sticker and window sticker, this car had TI new. It now has a Petronix conversion with a ballast resistor on the firewall. I was looking through the judging manual and am not sure if there is a deduct for this. Technically, the judges don't look at the window sticker or tank sticker, or open the distributor cap (although maybe all L71s in '67 came with TI), so is there a deduct for replacing the TI with this Petronix system? Thanks for any help.

[William C.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

First, all 435 hp cars came standard with the factory TI system. You will likely lose points for absence of TI module (full deduct) as well as Wiring? Coil? and some miscellaneous items. You can look at the judging scoresheets and judging manual and decide for yourself what the "price" will be, but it it isn't there, it's tough to give credit for it.

[John H.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

is there a deduct for replacing the TI with this Petronix system? Thanks for any help.

Michael -

Yes, there is. The missing T.I. amplifier and harness will get a 6-point deduction, a couple of points for "configuration" for the distributor (or more, depending on whether it's been converted or replaced), and a few more for the coil if it's been replaced.

Download the '67 scoring sheets and you can see the point allocations for each item; it's item #10 in Chassis.

[Michael J.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

Michael -

Yes, there is. The missing T.I. amplifier and harness will get a 6-point deduction, a couple of points for "configuration" for the distributor (or more, depending on whether it's been converted or replaced), and a few more for the coil if it's been replaced.

Download the '67 scoring sheets and you can see the point allocations for each item; it's item #10 in Chassis.

Thanks, yes I have been using the scoring sheets, just trying to understand them. The distributor has the correct number, tach drive, shielding, braided wires, etc.. There is no markings on the the coil, so guess it is not correct as far as I can tell, just a black coil with "+" and "-" posts. Did the TI have a special coil? Looks like minimal deducts, I plan to leave it as is and not replace the TI, since it runs so good and I have heard the TI is a PITA and unreliable. Thanks again for the answers.

[Warren F.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

Michael,

An original '263' coil is tough to find and fairly expensive to acquire. The TI module is also getting scarcer to find new originals and the prices are creeping upwards as well. There is a correct original coil unrestored for your car on ebay by a seller known as achilles10. The price is $595 and seems a good buy.

[Keith B.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

I have heard the TI is a PITA and unreliable. Thanks again for the answers.

You should talk to other people. with a properly maintained amplifier box you should have no trouble at all.

[Michael J.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

Michael,

An original '263' coil is tough to find and fairly expensive to acquire. The TI module is also getting scarcer to find new originals and the prices are creeping upwards as well. There is a correct original coil unrestored for your car on ebay by a seller known as achilles10. The price is $595 and seems a good buy.

Ouch, that's a lot of money for 10 points. I also notice the repops are a little over $100. Would these coils work with the Petronix unit I have now or are these special coils with higher or lower voltage, etc.?

[Joel F.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

The distributor has the correct number, tach drive, shielding, braided wires, etc..

Michael,

I am confused, do you currently have the 1111258 TI distributor that has been converted to a Petronix system? There are reproduction TI coils for about $125. Not exact, but also not $600 (prob a 1 pt deduction). All L71's had TI, so for a real L71 car being judged, I think you will really want to have a functional TI system.

[Michael J.]

Re: Judging question, TI converted

Michael,

I am confused, do you currently have the 1111258 TI distributor that has been converted to a Petronix system? There are reproduction TI coils for about $125. Not exact, but also not $600 (prob a 1 pt deduction). All L71's had TI, so for a real L71 car being judged, I think you will really want to have a functional TI system.

Yes, I have that distributor part # and it has been convertd to a Petronix with a ballast resistor added on the firewall. It has the correct "Delco" cap on it for TI too. I am just trying to see how many points I get hit by not having the TI. It looks to me like it would be 10 points total for the wrong coil and 6 points total for no TI. If I replace the coil with a TI repop, if it will work with the current setup and nobody has said it would yet, yes I might only lose 1 point instead of 10. But to go out and spend thousands on a TI system, install it and hope it all works just to gain 6 points sounds like a poor bang for the bucks. I think I could easily make Top Flight without spending all that money and have the reliability of the Petronix to boot. Just my thinking, if it ain't broke don't fix it for purity only and not many points.