The Cal-look Lounge

Has anybody used the new CB distributor, the one that plugs in the MSD box? If so any feedback on how it ran? I hear it's kinda of a copy of the MSD dis. But all billet with bearings. Below is the link to there Dis.

http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=432

Ted

No one ??? Thinking of it , too  ???

looks just like the Pertronix one ;D

Yes , found that one on summitracing...Looks very similar , so would be interesting if someone has the possibility to hold all three of them in hands. my opinion of the MSD one is not the very best , had one in my last engine , had corrosion after short time and a little play in the shaft and a very much used looking cap after only 3500 kilometers...
So some more technikal informations would be interesting .
Carsten

They all look alike to me, but the question is do they all work a like?
 
Procomp
(http://images.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/2806651.jpg)

Pertronix
(http://images.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/2923226.jpg)

CB
(http://www.cbperformance.com/catalogimages/2007.jpg)

MSD
(http://images.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3109557.jpg)

Fwiw, those distributors all use the same cap. It's a chrysler design I believe from a jeep or something...totally available at any autoparts store.

Hi, My name is Mark I work over at CB. This distributor is a new product for us. It has adjustment springs and different bushings that allow you to change the total advance and the speed at which it advances. We have two different versions, One is plug into a coil and go and the other is a Magnetic pick-up type for using a MSD type ignition box.  I put the manual on the website so you guys can scroll through it. If you have got any questions, just let me know.

http://www.cbperformance.com/pdf/Magnaspark%20II%20Distributor%20Instruction%20Sheet.pdf

Thanks
Mark

Nope, cap is four cylinder ford- rotor is GM non-HEI (E-type).

Ok, I had been talking with Pat Downs before the distributor came out. CB/Pat had the prototype distributor at I believe last year @ Bug-in. It caught my eye and I started asking questions to Pat, needless to say I was very interested. Meanwhile I had been bugging Pat when it was coming out. Pat was very helpful with that info. Anyway, CB had brought the distributors to Drag Day, my eye's opened up, I talked to Pat but was hesitant to get then, not because of the distributor, but more cause I was running my car and wanted to save the money just in case I broke. SO, after that day I made this post just to see if anybody had bought it and to see what they thought. While the next day after the post, I went to V-Dub Parts and picked one up, what the hell. So far had not been able to put it in yet cause I broke my toe. But just by looking at it and what Pat and I have discussed, this is one nice distributor. Not taking anything away from MSD, cause that is what I'm running now, but the CB is a one piece billet, bearings, very well crafted. It will hard to compare my MSD to CB cause Rodger Crawford had my MSD a few years back modified. But will be pretty close. I think I can cross over the springs and the stop to the CB, will see. The Ingnitor II billet distributor I also have on my other motor, also a nice piece, but kinda limted to what you can do, but still worked well for me. When I get the CB in, I will post my findings. I'm sure I will be not disapointed. But if anybody else did buy one of these distributors, post your findings.

Ted

You fit distributors with your feet?! :o That's some talent! :D

Seriously, I think it's good that CB and others are working on developing new parts all the time, and even though I'm unlikely to buy it in the near future (I've already got an MSD and a magneto) it's nice to know that these parts are there.

Ok, a little update with some pics. Got the CB distributor in and running. I like it, has a tighter advance, very clean setup looks just like the MSD inside. Will run the car tomorrow (Thursday) to see how the performance is.

Ted

with the CB distributor for ignition boxes...do you need an extension lead ? my box is under the back seat..don't reckon the standard wire will reach. do CB sell these ?

if not can you use the two wire coil version with an MSD box and just wire it to the coil ? what is the advantage of the magnetic pick up ?

thanks in advance :)

It's exactly like the MSD, same plug and all. I just took out my MSD distributor and put in the CB one, plugged it in timed it, and Off I went. Well, you do have to change the clamp back to the VW one. No special clamp needed. Runs like the MSD if not better!

Ted

Ted,

Thanks for the feedback. Just picked one up to run with my 6AL on my chop top.

Rick M

[/quote]

Seriously, I think it's good that CB and others are working on developing new parts all the time, and even though I'm unlikely to buy it in the near future (I've already got an MSD and a magneto) it's nice to know that these parts are there.
[/quote]

there is nothing new about this distributor!!!!!, its a copy of a copy of a copy!!!, its only NEW cos its not secondhand, dont get me wrong, i like CBs products but this is just a distributor!!! if it was a 3D crank trigered ignition system then i would be impressed :)

This is better than the MSD, it's 100% billet, also, it's bushed at the bottom, and at top is supported by a bearing, so to me it's a better design. The other MSD dis's that I've seen are all billet, so why not the VW one? Anyway, I see your point, but it's hard to compare when you got a better design and CHEAPER.  ;D

Ted

Hey Rick, ya get it in yet? How does it work for ya, you see any difference?

Ted

The last MSD distributor I used seemed like it had been assembled by a blindfolded ape using a fork and a spoon.

If CB have improved what is a good design, poorly executed then hats off to them.

Well put. I sure they will at Bug-In 35, ya can go by and check'em out, that's what I did and thats what got me sold,A QUALITY PART.  ;D

Seriously, I think it's good that CB and others are working on developing new parts all the time, and even though I'm unlikely to buy it in the near future (I've already got an MSD and a magneto) it's nice to know that these parts are there.
[/quote]

there is nothing new about this distributor!!!!!, its a copy of a copy of a copy!!!, its only NEW cos its not secondhand, dont get me wrong, i like CBs products but this is just a distributor!!! if it was a 3D crank trigered ignition system then i would be impressed :)
[/quote]

I didn't think you'd be that impressed Marco, I know you like your electronics! ;) Superb job on Adele's EFI by the way, I love the way the throttle bodies are fitted to the IDA manifolds - took me a while to work out how you'd done it and I still had to ask Steve how it was done! :D

This distributor is the best bang for the buck  ;)

But,I am curious a little bit about it.

Which ignition module  does the standalone version have?