Progression Ignition distributor - Is it compatible with our tachometer?

I'd love to know myself. I've asked around and so far no one can answer the question. I don't want to be the guinea pig.

I'm liking the concept of the blue tooth distributor more and more and thinking that it is exactly what I need...with just one little caveat.

I have one and it was drop in and go! (and I love it, by the way)
It replaced a MSD 8350 that PO's engine builder had installed so not sure what was done to make the MSD work. There's no tach adapter or anything else in the ignition system.

Thank you.  I think that answered my question.  The MSD 8350 is self contained and does not rely on the external MSD 6AL box.  It is the MSD 8577 distributor combined with the 6AL (or newer) box that needs the adapter.  The Progression unit likely triggers the tach wire in the same way as the stock Ford distributor.  Thus, the Progression distributor does not need a tach adapter as far as I can tell.

tach amplifiers are needed for the Veglia movement, the Veglia needs a connection to the coil. These guys have a nifty, small package (that uses a small coil to get the same kick from a low voltage input)  https://www.ebay.com/itm/14217...p2060353.m2749.l2648

It looks like the Progression Ignition distributor does not need a tach adapter.  It installs the same as the stock distributor and the tach is connected directly to the negative side of the coil as done by the factory.

Progression Ignitions also provide a wire (it is grey) to feed tachometers that need a square wave signal.  I am guessing that the MSD box tachometer output does the same.  And it looks like this square wave output needs a tach adapter to work with our tachometer.  Thus, we disregard Progression Ignitions' grey output wire when installing in a Pantera and simply connect to the negative side of the coil.

I received one these distributors today and I am planning to install it tomorrow.  It is going into a Pantera that has an MSD 8577 distributor (I need this distributor for another project) and an MSD 6A box that will go onto a shelf.  I spoke with Progression Ignitions this afternoon they confirmed that it will work properly with my MSD Blaster 2 coil.  The factory wiring needs to be resurrected for this to work.  I will report back with the outcome.

The Progression Ignition distributor is in the car and the tachometer is working properly.  The tach wire is simply connected to the negative terminal on the coil and no adapter is being used.

Looks like a great set up, with a lot of cool features.

Does it come with the distributor gear?  If not - how do you select the gear to use?

And there is no external ignition box?  I run a Duraspark ignition, so that module is eliminated?

Is the distributor body any shorter than a standard Motorcraft, maybe giving a little more clearance for a big-cap setup?

Thanks in advance for more information!

Rocky

I'd like to get those specifics too but I'd like to see durability numbers on these units. It's very new and I don't want to go through the MSD unreliability issue all over again.

You shall be my guinea pigs.

It comes with a distributor gear that is melonized and is compatible with flat tappet cams and roller cams.  I hope this works with my hydraulic roller cam since the gear coming out appears to be something special.

There is no external box.  The distributor is self contained.  After re-reading the instructions I found that you can still run a capacitive discharge ignition box (I guess that means both Duraspark and MSD) and wire it as points/amplifier style ignition.  Maybe I will reintroduce the MSD 6A into the mix.

I think the height of the distributor is the same as Motorcraft.  You can email or call them for a precise answer.

It also has vacuum advance that is programmed on your phone.  Below is a screen shot of the initial programming.  The vacuum advance is only a hose connection into the bottom of the distributor and there is no canister or diaphragm.

Finally, you can lock the distributor from your phone as a theft deterrent.  Each distributor has a unique four digit PIN that you enter on your phone at initial setup.

Thanks, Steve -

Lots of good info there.

If the distributor can trigger a coil directly, I’m not sure what, if any, advantage would come from running a Duraspark box, as I have had one or two fail (due to my own boneheadedness, by leaving the ignition key on too long).

I have a hydraulic roller cam / valve train as well.  I assume due to the mass of the components, they put the most load on the cam gear.  I did the mod to the plug in the oil gallery, where a hole in the plug squirts a stream of oil on the gear/cam interface.

Thanks for the insight.  You guys keep us posted!

Rocky

Here's a crude one-handed attempt to show the live timing map.

@stevebuchanan posted:

It comes with a distributor gear that is melonized and is compatible with flat tappet cams and roller cams.  I hope this works with my hydraulic roller cam since the gear coming out appears to be something special.

There is no external box.  The distributor is self contained.  After re-reading the instructions I found that you can still run a capacitive discharge ignition box (I guess that means both Duraspark and MSD) and wire it as points/amplifier style ignition.  Maybe I will reintroduce the MSD 6A into the mix.

I think the height of the distributor is the same as Motorcraft.  You can email or call them for a precise answer.

It also has vacuum advance that is programmed on your phone.  Below is a screen shot of the initial programming.  The vacuum advance is only a hose connection into the bottom of the distributor and there is no canister or diaphragm.

Finally, you can lock the distributor from your phone as a theft deterrent.  Each distributor has a unique four digit PIN that you enter on your phone at initial setup.

It appears that this distributor eliminates the need for a separate box?

Can the software be installed on more then one device like your laptop in addition to your phone?

If you loose your phone you could be screwed?

I only see male terminal caps? That would be my preference but do you know if there is an option?

You want full advance in at your cruising rpm for best fuel economy. I would think 2800 in 5th?

If there was a way to identify what gear the car was in, you might want a different curve for each gear?

One of the ways a computer controlled engine measures the load on the engine is with a vacuum reading. Wow. Now I'm really getting out of control! Sorry.

Yes Doug, there is an option for a small female cap

Larry

The distributor is self contained and does not have an outside box.

The software can be installed on an infinite number of phones or iPads.  You just type in the PIN each time you setup the app.  If you loose your phone you are screwed but your Pantera will still start if the distributor is unlocked.

You can order it with a male or female cap.  You can also order a black or red cap.

Sorry, I can't answer the other questions.

Link to their six YouTube videos. Many questions in the comment sections but very few company answers.🤷‍♂️

https://youtube.com/c/ProgressionIgnition

any phone with the app installed can link with the distributor. That’s the importance of setting up the PIN security number. Should you lose your phone all you would need is another phone with the app and your PIN number.

The distributor does not need to establish a Bluetooth link with your phone in order to operate. It retains memory and will work just fine even when you leave your phone at home sitting on your desk.

Larry

The videos are useful. In my case they do point out the flexability of the unit. An unknown is going to be the reliability of this type of electronics and that is going to be detertmined in the future since there is no extensive history to refer to proving reliability.

The first thing that I noticed physically of the unit is that it is tall. Taller then a Ford unit. In probably most cases that has little significance. In a Pantera, it does. If you want to run the engine screen that has to be tried to see if there is enough clearance.

The other thing is, yes, electronic remote tune-ability is a plus BUT HOW are you going to determine the best timing without a dyno and a dyno print out/graph?

Those answers are all to be still determined (for me).

No issue fitting under the screen in my '73 (Blue thunder intake, 3/8" carb spacer, stock air cleaner).
Determining the best timing is exactly the same issue as with a distributor that uses weights, springs, and stop posts except instead of having to pull apart the distributor to make a change, you can tap a screen. You can also do non-linear changes as well which you can't do with weights and springs.
The default settings work very well and I've just experimented with different amounts of timing to get better performance and no pinging/detonation. I'm surprised at how much timing I've added. This, coupled with a wideband O2 and you have a lot of data. Still some time on a dyno WITH A SKILLED TUNER would be a very good idea.

Also, when I was first installing it, I had a question about compatibility with the gear and my Comp Cams roller cam and I called the company and talked to a very helpful and knowledgeable tech.
Overall length and shaft dimensions were perfect out of the box.

Ah. You just mentioned a subject. Is there a port for data logging? Better yet, is data logging in their software?

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

I have no skill set in this area but in order to log data doesn’t it need to have sensors to provide that data?

seems the only potential data it can collect is a vacuum signal, timing and engine RPM, or am I missing something?

Larry

@stevebuchanan posted:

What I like is easy hot restarts (10 degrees advance under 300 RPM)

Both the Ford Motorcraft and the Pantera-Electronics Ignition retard the advance at start.

I have two Pantera projects underway concurrently and one of them had an incomplete ignition system.  Specifically, I was missing an MSD 8577 distributor and an MSD 8920 tach adapter.  After careful thought I decided to try Progression Ignition instead.  The cost is about the same for either approach and the Progression Ignition has a money back guarantee if you don't like it.  At this point I have the Progression Ignition installed in a car and it is working well and the installation was relatively simple.  Duraspark and Pantera Electronics would have cost just as much or more to implement and they would be going backwards in some ways.  The only risk here (as you have pointed out) is longevity and dependability of the Progression Ignition.  Time will tell.

@stevebuchanan posted:

I have two Pantera projects underway concurrently and one of them had an incomplete ignition system.  Specifically, I was missing an MSD 8577 distributor and an MSD 8920 tach adapter.  After careful thought I decided to try Progression Ignition instead.  The cost is about the same for either approach and the Progression Ignition has a money back guarantee if you don't like it.  At this point I have the Progression Ignition installed in a car and it is working well and the installation was relatively simple.  Duraspark and Pantera Electronics would have cost just as much or more to implement and they would be going backwards in some ways.  The only risk here (as you have pointed out) is longevity and dependability of the Progression Ignition.  Time will tell.

I don't question your decision. In your circumstances I may have gone the same route.

I have previous experiences with MSD products and I don't really care if MSD has been resold twice since I used them. To me MSD is for the drag racing contingent who puts a decal on the side of the car in hopes of contingency money.

EVERY ONE of the racers I talk to that use them replace the MSD components at least once a year IF NOT MORE.

That scenario tends to agree with my observations and experiences with the MSD product.

My current (at this moment) thinking is that sure it's nice to have the remote tuning ability of the distributor but especially in the ability to alter the advance curve without removing the distributor in a Pantera.

The MAJOR advantage is going to be on any electronic ignition though is going to be for data logging. I do not know about the MSD, but the Ford, P-E or Progression do not have that capability. Not yet.

So I seriously wish you very well on your journey to come and will be watching for feedback on any of the Progression distributors as far as dependability.

I inquired with Progression about data loging and this is the response I got. I suppose it opts me out? Call me shallow. For sure, I'm not going with MSD. They burned me more times then I care to think about. Once bitten, twice shy.

While it states their position it isn't an acknowledgement that they understand why I want it?

"Several companies already make full blown engine management systems that can data log many different things. We dont want to get into that market. If you want to see a playback of what the distirbutor is doing you can use a screen recorder app on your phone. Most phones have a screen recorder built in. Thanks"