[VaSteve]

OK, so many of you have heard my tale of woe with the CD box on my SC yesterday. Pari was a great guy and lent me his spare Bosch, which seemed to do the trick. I towed it home anyway, just to make sure. This evening, I went over to my mom's house to p/u the car. 1st try fires right up. I let it idle for a few minutes and it ran a little rough. So I decided to warm it up driving aroung the old 'hood. Got up to temperature pretty quick so I let it sit idling while I jocked cars around. Idle was good. So I decided to drive it home to Arlington from Fairfax and made it w/o incident - except for the big squeal through the Rosslyn tunnel, which I cannot positively attribute to my car. I let it idle at home and it was also fine, so I think I have the problem licked.

However, I have some follow up questions. I looked at the receipts that the PO gave me. The CD box was replaced on 8/21/00 @ 97,521 miles - I have between 102 and 103K now. The offending unit was a Permatune. I called someone at Perfomance Parts today while I was doing research that said Permatunes don't suck (compared to other experiences I have heard) just that people don't know how to use them. He said they need to be matched with the Blue Coil. The installed coil is a black Bosch unit with a blue sticker. (Don't have other details handy). I know it's not original since there was a used coil in a box that came with the car and I threw away when cleaning house. Anyone know if this is the right part?

Basically, should I take it up with Permatune or cut my losses and replace it with a remanufactured Bosch or MSD? I don't plan on turning this car into a track monster, so MSD might not be for me.....

Also, please see the following photo. These are some old looking fuses I found still in use. I saw a photo of someone's car that had the more modern blade fuses installed (don't know if that was a Carerra though). Should these be upgraded to the blades?

Thanks guys!

[VaSteve]

Yes, it's from a camera phone.

[Marc A]

Steve:

I'm sorry, but the coils that were used by cars with the Bosch or Permatune units were unique to those cars and were definatley NOT the blue Bosch coil.

If you are going to spend a couple hundred bucks get the MSD and Blaster coil. If you go with the 6A unit the rev limiter is set by interchangable "pills" on the unit itself.

Talk with Jim Richards as he put one in the '73.

The Permatune boxes went through a "bad" period, but generally they are reliable. On the other hand the MSD units are like tanks, and last for years and years and years.

Nothing wrong with the bayonet fuses, just clean the terminals and replace old and corroded fuses.

[Parenn911]

Marc is correct! MSD is a very reliable CDI manufacturer. IMO if you don't want to spend the big bucks for a MSD, the best way to go is just get a factory bosch CDI unit. Despite what the guy at performance products said, I still think Perma Tune's aren't that great because I know a two guys with SC's that had perma tune's die on them( excluding you of course ).

[Marc A]

New Bosch units cost 800 plus . . .

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Marc A

New Bosch units cost 800 plus . . .

I think its 2X that. I would get a remanufactured one. $450 w/o core, if that's the route I go...

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Also, please see the following photo. These are some old looking fuses I found still in use. I saw a photo of someone's car that had the more modern blade fuses installed (don't know if that was a Carerra though). Should these be upgraded to the blades?

Is this the picture you're talking about?



I saw that thread on Pelican, too. Some dude with a Carrera who thinks he's some kind of EE or something. Here's a link to the thread. I think its a good idea.

[Charlie Stylianos]

Steve,

The MSD 6AL and Blaster coil can be had for less than $250. Cheaper and more reliable than the permatune or stock CDI. Just make sure you wire it to good known +/-'s.

[Parenn911]

New Bosch units cost 800 plus

Marc, I never said get a new one . The spare that Steve is using came off of a 1983 SC that someone was parting out. I got it for $5, you can't beat that price ! Steve, try to find someone parting out a SC or check out the local junkyards. I will grab a CDI box for you in Hershey if I see one for a good price.

[Marc A]

Five bucks . . . . geez . . . that's cheaper than the extra DME relay that I keep in my glove box. At that price you could keep a few of them around. Nice find.