>
> Well Gary... I would say... that ever since the start of the catalytic
> converter era, engine designers have been FORCED to include high-energy,
> solid-state ignition systems on everything from Honda Civics to Porsche
> Turbos.  Reason: unburned fuel from a misfiring cylinder will wipe out
> the cat in about 30 seconds, and possibly start a fire to boot.  Not to
> mention the difficulty of getting past the EPA 50k-mile endurance test
> with even an occasional misfie.  The days of the feeble, yellow-spark,
> point-and-coil factory ignition ended sometime in the late '70s.
>
Keep in mind the non-California model Vanagons from '80-'83.  They were
all equipped with catalytic converters and none had electronic ignition.
All had points and condenser old-school stuff.

The California air-cooled Vanagons did in fact have Hall effect type
electronic ignition along with an oxygen sensor for the FI system (which
was also not used on the federal Vanagon models).

--
Sean Bartnik
Fredericksburg, Virginia
1981 Volkswagen Vanagon L Westfalia
1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible
http://www.type2.com/bartnik/myvan.htm
http://www.type2.com/bartnik/tech.htm