Krida,
I'm not sure of the wisdom of removing mags from our engines. Mags, imho, have one big advantage over both distributors and electronic ignition - they do not need an external power supply. That means that if you have an electrical problem in flight, your mags will keep going - not so with electronic ignition.
When my alternator packed up earlier this year, I was able to make it back to my home airfield with no serious concerns. Had I had electronic ignition, I would have been diverting to the nearest airfield.
(Also, this solution is not possible for non-electric aircraft, although this is unlikely to be a real problem because aircraft without electrics are generally sufficiently low-powered to be able to run off low-octane fuel without problems.)
I am surprised that the experts claim that high-performance engines won't work with lower octane fuels. I'm certainly not an expert in this area, but I don't understand why adjusting the ignition timing won't cure most problems. The most severe modification I can see that may be required is a re-profiled cam, but I'm not convinced that would be necessary. Sure, this will cost a bit of power, but surely it's not impossible?
Maybe it's just a ploy by the engine manufacturers to make all the high-perfomance guys (who, they believe, have loads of money) to buy new engines?
FFF
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[Edit coz I realised I was talking bo!!ocks]
[ 02 September 2001: Message edited by: FlyingForFun ]
[ 03 September 2001: Message edited by: FlyingForFun ]