Crane Zr-1

[blumun53]

Has anyone here tried one of these ignition modules in a W-motor yet? At my shop, I've installed them in a 57 Chev with tri-power, a 69 GTO with HP 400, and a small block early Ford. Now, these are not full-out racers, but very powerful engine/car combinations, and this module seems to work fantastic in each of them. They feature an adjustable rev limiter up to 8,000 rpm. The 57 and the GTO experience no cut-out at high rpm's and also seem to idle better. I didn't have a chance to test the Ford, but the customer hasn't complained.
I think my brother is going to put one in his 409, but it's going to be a while before his is ready. So I'd like to know if someone has tried one, or is thinking about using one, if not for anything other than a stock-looking ignition with more reliability.
Hmmm?:cool:

[jim_ss409]

I put one of those Crane points conversion modules into a stock 63, 409 distributor and it worked great. I haven't driven it much yet but so far so good. I like the built in rev limiter, and it was priced lower than a Pertronix unit. I remember that Ignitionman didn't like the "Pooptronix" but I don't know how he felt about the Crane unit. By the way I set the rev limiter while the distributor was out of the car because it's pretty tiny and hard to see. http://www.cranecams.com/index.php?show=browseParts&lvl=5&prt=1973

[IgnitionMan]

I've personally seen over 200 of them lose the rev limiter, and gradually lower the limit as they got worse, stopping and limiting the rpms to their lowest setting of 3,000 rpms. Haven't heard anything much on these in a while, don't know if Crane and the Chinese that make that thing have it worked out or not. They also are on the lines of a PerTronix, no drivers to make the coil work harder than a points system, no matter the coil and input voltage used.

If you want a Crane setup, go with the other one with the remote box, the optical trigger 7000, they are much better than the drop in thing from what I have seen.

[blumun53]

Hey, Ignitionman, whassup? You are most likely right about the performance long term aspect. However, on the cars that are built for show in basically stock appearance, this unit is great, if for nothing more than the fact that it's almost impossible to see. I will definitely keep your comments in mind, so I won't be surprised when it starts failing. Thanks for the heads up. Have a good'n. :cool:

[chevymusclecars]

I just looked at the Summit site and the unit is a XR-1 with a cost of $65 they might be worth a try. If these units are nice enough to give you a warning before failing as Ignitionman indicates then I would just consider carrying a spare distributor.

Bill

[blumun53]

OOPS!! My bad on the name. It IS XR-1. Instead of ZR-1. Thanks.:cool:

[jim_ss409]

Ignitionman's an expert on this stuff so I think I'll at least carry the points and condenser that I pulled out if I plan any long trips.:D

[5509]

my 57 ford has 1 set of pts/con replaced in 12years .Of course its a ford and is eazy to work on -351w Put it into gas money instead.I like the rev limiter tho!

[IgnitionMan]

If the vehicle is a "show car", avoid the aggravation, and leave the points in it.

If it isn't, go with something better than the Crane and PerTronix stuff.

[dq409]

If the vehicle is a "show car", avoid the aggravation, and leave the points in it.

If it isn't, go with something better than the Crane and PerTronix stuff.

DITTO !!!!