upgraded distributor cap and rotor

[tnord]

i was just told i need a new distributor cap, plug wires, and rotor (what is that anyway, and what does it do?). i know to just get plug wires from NGK, but what about the distributor and rotor? is this something i can upgrade? if so, who offers the parts, MSD? links? while other people are reading/responding to this, i'll do some investigating myself. i just thought i'd post this up because i haven't seen anything about it before.

[/etc/shadow]

The distributor cap and rotator are used to allow a single coil to fire 4 cylinders' spark plugs. It just spins to change which plug the spark is going to.

Interesting to note that the SR20DET has direct ignition meaning it has a coil for each piston and does not require those parts.

[adey]

So why is that interesting? I mean that the SR uses individual coils. I don't mean to sound condescending, I'm actually genuinely interested in the difference. What are the pros and cons of having one coil and a distributor/rotor and of having individual coils? &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[240 2NR]

Well, for and S13, a cap and rotor will each run you about $10 from Courtesy Nissan. &nbsp;I would assume the S14 to be priced nearly identical.

The rotor is housed inside the distributor and spins around with small metal spot at one side. &nbsp;As it spins it makes a connection with a corresponding spot on the distributor cap sending current down that wire to the spark plug. &nbsp;Not sure of technical terms but you should get the picture. &nbsp;If not just take off the cap and look.

It's an easy install you can do yourself, just be sure to look at the direction the rotor is facing as it can only go on two ways and one of them is wrong (will be 180 degrees to itself so you would really have to not pay attention). &nbsp;I'm pretty sure the cap only goes on one way.

I ordered my wires through Don a few months ago and my cap and rotor are on the way from courtesy nissan as we speak.

[/etc/shadow]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ June 24 2002,5:44)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So why is that interesting? I mean that the SR uses individual coils. I don't mean to sound condescending, I'm actually genuinely interested in the difference. What are the pros and cons of having one coil and a distributor/rotor and of having individual coils? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Mainly because you can get perfect timing and electronically fire the pistons in any order you want. Recommend Haltech replacement ECM/ignition computers.

[gh6o6]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (240 2NR @ June 23 2002,7:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">It's an easy install you can do yourself, just be sure to look at the direction the rotor is facing as it can only go on two ways and one of them is wrong (will be 180 degrees to itself so you would really have to not pay attention). I'm pretty sure the cap only goes on one way.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
yeah but the most important thing of your life (ok thats extreme but go with me here) is that you get the wires back onto the same little protrusion because thats what makes the plug fire at the right time (compression stroke) its way beyond a little timing change
draw a picture, transfer the wires before you install the new cap, buy a book, have your mom memorize the order - whatever you decide, its your choice personally id leave your mom out of ths but whatever you want to do is fine by me