My Vauxhall engines use the trigger wheel/crank sensor method and seem to be bulletproof, in over 20 years of Cavalier and other Vauxhall ownership and more miles than I care to think about in a dozen or more different models, i've never had a crank sensor failure and only once had a cam sensor (twin cam only) failure and that doesn't stop the car, just limits it to 4000rpm, with autos like mine you can run months and not even notice!
I fit EI because it's consistent in tuning, set the ingnition timing and forget it. A points system, no matter how well made (and most stuff made today is rubbish) will go off tune very slightly before you've finished the road test. It can't be any other way with moving parts rubbing and wearing. So it needs constant fettling to keep it in tune, or accept that it's never going to run perfectly for more than a few miles and live with it. I've been there, done that, have a drawer full of T shirts. If I had a quid for every set of points i've ever fitted or adjusted i'd be rich. I don't need it any more! Even in their heyday, it was adjust every 3000 miles (or less if needed) and replace every 6000 miles. I realize that nowadays our car are mainly toys and only do a couple of thousand miles in a good year rather than the 12k that was average when new, so it's not so big a problem, but it's still one that I, for one, can live without!
Which is WHY I find it endlessly annoying that aftermarket EI systems AREN'T reliable, when they b****y well should be! I bought my first aftermarket setup in 1974, a Lumenition Optronic. Even then they were pricey, about £50 retail IIRC. Since I worked for a Lucas agent who distributed them at the time, staff discount let me buy one for my Essex V6 powered Consul 375 for less (just) than a week's wages! With the coming of the silicone chip, they've got smaller, but that's all, the theory is the same, it should be possible to get it right WITHOUT arcane knowledge.
Whilst i'd never go back to points, or advise anyone else to, I can entirely understand the thinking of those who run EI but carry a set of points and a condenser in the glovebox. It just irritates me that it should be necessary!
Steve
_________________ '73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!
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