Product description

The ignition system in our classic Volkswagen can be the source of many problems. After years of use, the mechanical distributor wears out and suffers from increasing deflection. If it's available for your engine, you can replace the complete distributor, but there's a much better alternative: 123 ignition for standard and tuned engines.

The 123 ignition comes in a box very similar to the original, but inside you won't find any mechanical parts. The obsolete mechanical system has been replaced by a high-tech computer-controlled system, creating an optimal ignition system with maximum performance and virtually no maintenance.

All mechanical parts such as contact points, flyweights or vacuum diaphragm, springs, bearings and others have been replaced by a single part: the central shaft with the rotor. Internal electronics take care of the correct advance and optimum contact angle at different speeds, ensuring maximum spark at every rpm. The parts used for ignition timing are not subject to wear; they only need to be adjusted once, and you don't have to worry about a thing.

For the standard 123 ignition, a small switch behind the Allen bolt at the bottom of the housing sets the correct advance curve for your engine (16 different advance curve settings are available). Each 123 ignition is also equipped with a synchronization technology normally used only in Formula 1 racing, where very high engine speeds are reached. The electronics constantly monitor the amount of energy supplied per cylinder; imagine if the compression of one cylinder deviated from that of the others, the flywheel rotation would become less regular, which would also make camshaft rotation less regular. Ignition 123 detects this phenomenon and adjusts the ignition timing for each cylinder, resulting in a smooth-running engine that delivers more power and wears out less quickly. These are not the only advantages of 123 ignition over conventional ignition:

- automatic quick-start program when the engine is cold
- improved running smoothness as described above
- the dwell angle is continuously adjusted and corrected
- turns off after one second when the ignition is switched on.lights up after 1 second when the ignition is switched on and the engine is not running (spares the ignition coil)
- saves fuel
- operates on both 6 and 12 volts (automatically recognized)

123 ignition systems are suitable for :
- type 1 engines (except 25 hp and 30 hp versions)
- type 3 engines
- CT/CZ and type 4 engines, but if an electronic ignition system has been factory-fitted, please add the prescribed ignition coil (see 'Options' tab) as the current ignition coil is not suitable.

123 TUNE

Tune your engine yourself via your phone or tablet?
The 123 TUNE is the world's first electronic ignition that you can tune wirelessly via your iOS or Android device with Bluetooth 4.0. The free app lets you set the ignition curve, display an electronic dashboard and secure your car with an immobilizer.

The version of the 123 TUNE presented here is equipped with an external Bluetooth receiver specially designed for Volkswagens with a rear engine, under or behind a metal hood. Such engine covers act like a Faraday cage, blocking electromagnetic signals. As a result, an internal Bluetooth receiver (123 TUNE) often only works with an open hood, and is difficult to operate from the driver's seat. The external receiver completely solves this problem; it is installed outside the engine compartment, so the Bluetooth connection is always reliable.

The ignition offers two switchable advance curves, allowing easy adjustment for different fuels, such as petrol, LPG or E85. The 123 TUNE also features an optional vacuum connection. This makes the ignition suitable for all engines, whether standard or highly tuned, including engines with larger carburetors for which vacuum is not available.

123 TUNE distributor features
- Suitable for clockwise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation (automatic detection)
- For 6 or 12 volt cars (automatic detection)
- For cars with more or less ground
- Variable ignition angle (automatic detection)
- Ignition coil de-energized after 1 second (automatic detection)
- Boost curve (500 to 8000 rpm)
- Boost and boost delay curve - Boost and boost delay curve.m boost advance and boost delay curve (0 to 200 kPa or -30 inHg to 15 psi)
- Speed limit (MAP-start) at which vacuum advance begins
- Speed limit (random sparkatoire avancée)
- Real-time setting from your smartphone (ideal for working with a dyno)
- The TUNE works with Apple iOS and Android devices featuring Bluetooth 4 technology.0.

What you can see when driving with the 123 TUNE (with external receiver)
- Temperature gauge (you can choose to display in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit)
- Lower or upper intake manifold pressure (displayed in Bar or inches Hg/Psi)
- Tachometer(0 to 8000 crankshaft revolutions per minute)
- Counter indicating energy flowing through ignition coil (primary coil current)
- Total advance counter (in degrees of crankshaft advance)
- Battery voltage
- GPS speed

Optional tip:

123 distributors have a universal housing, but when fitted to our air-cooled Volkswagens, a gap remains between the distributor and the mounting collar. To bridge this gap, a padding ring or a complete power distributor clamp is available as an option (options tab), not a necessity but recommended.