If i am already going to replace the distributor, plugs and wires, would i be better off just buy an electric ignition? What are the costs?

you already have an electronic ignition. if you are looking for something aftermarket thats more powerful, try something like a jacobs ignition. You will still need to use your stock distributor though.

Is there a way that i dont have to use the distributor?

I suppose you could try to engineer a way to use a DIS on an EA82.. But no one that I know of has done it yet.

whats a DIS?

DIS=Direct ignition system(at least thats what it was called for my Saab) Basically, there is a control module and a seperate coil for each spark plug.

 

 

Theres also a system on the legacy that uses a coil pack instead of a distributor.

 

If you want to run any sort of non- distributor set up, be prepared to completely rewire your ignition system and probably replace your computer with some sort of aftermarket engine managment setup. You will need time, lots of knowledge and a bit of $$