hubes

are the conversion kits for points to electronic ignition as good as hei? i dont know a whole lot about ignition, but from what i read it seems hei is basically an electronic ignition with the coil in the middle, does this mean it would perform as good as hei without having to actually use an hei? please explain it to me, thanks for the help

bobs77vet

no .....HEI is far superior, i don't have the technical expertise to explain the benefits but HEI is one of GMs real winners

DJ Dep

Make sure you qualify ..."for the street"

Dep

bobs77vet

for anything! HEI is superior to a points set up period. street, drag, 302s...what ever

DJ Dep

HEI signs off at 6000RPM. Points can exceed that easily with the right set (Accel).
Don't make me call Lars in here!!!!!!

Dep

bobs77vet

well i wasn't thinking past 6000 rpm but any way there are better choices for distribuotrs past 6k then points....how many new high performance cars come with points???

DJ Dep

How many new high performance cars come with DISTRIBUTORS?!?!?!?!?!?!?
HA! GOTCHA!!!!!!

There are more EXPENSIVE choices for HP distributors than a points setup, but I wouldn't label them as BETTER.

You weren't thinking about above 6000RPM yet you said "for anything! HEI is superior to a points set up period. street, drag, 302s"



Dep

bobs77vet

i would label them as better or they would be using points...as for this statement ...."You weren't thinking about above 6000RPM yet you said "for anything! HEI is superior to a points set up period. street, drag, 302s"
...what can i say...i guess i'll have to dig up an HEI clone that performs well over 6k....i think i'll go to some magazines and find some articles on MSD stuff...i'm sure you will accept those..
well heres one thats pretty fancy...and it does not have points....
http://www.msdignition.com/2005/2005_4.htm

and heres one good for over 9000 RPM
http://www.msdignition.com/dist_5.htm

check this one out....nope no points

http://www.msdignition.com/dist_74.htm

Older Than Dirt

No points for me!.........optically triggered distributor used in conjunction with a magnetically triggered ignition used here!

DJ Dep

If you're gonna install a PERFORMANCE ignition, why go 1/2 way???

http://www.donzig.com/vertex.html

And the best thing is....they use points!!!

Dep

hubes

so what one of these is better?

DJ Dep

I guess we should have asked you EXACTLY what you plan on using the car for. You can get one of those crappy Pertronix setups that people either love or hate and carry a spare set of points in the glove compartment for when it eventually conks out. That's fine if you're just tired of changing points and just putt around on the street picking up chicks

You can get a plain old ordinary HEI ignition from a boneyard for cheap and have it rebuilt. Again...fine for picking up chicks and "normal" cruising.

Changing to a performance HEI (a waste of money IMHO) or MSD distributor is a major expense and step UP from any of that. And changing to a magneto is the ULTIMATE step up. All depends on what you are looking for.

Dep

hubes

mostly street, occasionally taking it to the strip. but i cant afford junk, i want something good, msd makes good stuff so probably something from them. your saying that the msd hei is junk? what about that other gizmo there, the digital e curve? or is a regular ol billet distributor with a 6a box better? also, i know the hei wont work with the mechanical tach, but will the other ones? thanks for the help
btw, are those magnetos even better than msd stuff? if so how much do they cost?

DJ Dep

For occasional strip use on a fairly mild engine, you can go with an HEI from MSD or Accel or other makers.
MSD HEI is not junk. Just not what I would consider a performance distributor (and not worth what they charge for it). With HEI, just buy the most inexpensive one you can find from MSD, Accel, or whoever else makes them. Or you can use a stock Chevy HEI and have it rebuilt.
Billet stuff is for racing and is VERY pricey. Ditto for magnetos.
Unless you are doing SERIOUS racing, a regular HEI will work fine.

Dep

SanDiegoPaul

I'm using a Mallory Billet aluminum HEI unit. Completely adjustable curves of course, and it looks good!

stingry

I personally don't care for the conversion kits. Lars rebuilt mine back to points and it has never run better. I will fit a MSD setup on top of the points. If I didn't have a tach drive i would consider the GM HEI but I don't care to shell out $500 on a tach drive HEI distributor + wires etc. I know there are cheaper but for me I use the GM stuff where I can.

bobs77vet

i knew if i waited long enough we could agree on something. i think any name brand (including GM) HEI set up will work fine for you.

Lee H

I have a Lars set up points distributer in my 65 small block that revs to 6500 regularly with no problems.

bobs77vet

you could easily spend yourself out of reason here.....do you need Billet aluminum? do you have a tach drive distributor now? i'm guessing you do.... i would be looking at a name brand HEI with a tach drive gear. (you need to figure how you are going to drive your tach, or go to an electric tach)

DJ Dep

I'd forget the whole HEI thing and just slap in a new set of points!!


Dep