New MSD distributor? Worth it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 7
From: Batavia IL
New MSD distributor? Worth it?
I am considering looking for a new distributor to replace my old stock HEI. I was thinking of going with MSD's new E-Curve distributor. I like the thought of not having to mess with springs and weights to get my timing curves right. Looks like a slick set up. What do you guys think? here is a link to the distributor I am looking at: digital E-Curve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
probably not
Crane offers about the same thing but with optical trigger.
IMHO and if there's nothing really wrong with your HEI (GM HEI's a real good piece), find a seasoned mechanic & shop with a "SUN distributor machine" ... they can get the curve right where it's needed ... probably for a LOT less that cost of a new distributor.
IMHO and if there's nothing really wrong with your HEI (GM HEI's a real good piece), find a seasoned mechanic & shop with a "SUN distributor machine" ... they can get the curve right where it's needed ... probably for a LOT less that cost of a new distributor.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 294
From: West of Burlington, Ontario Canada
Tumarr
I had to remove a brand new MSD Pro Billet #8365 HEI from my 69 Camaro recently. Because of a alteration I made, my HEI no longer fit without touching the firewall. I looked into an Ecurve MSD and asked MSD to send me the instruction book so I could figure out how it works. When it arrived I had a look at the book and decided it was too complicated to set up and if it ever quit on you, the only place to buy parts would be MSD. It wasn't that I couldn't figure it out, it was more like it appeared to be a pain if you like to tune the car frequently. If I were going for a distributor like this I would go for a Crane electronic with optical innards. The MSD Ecurve IMO is too new. I would wait for them to work the bugs out if any first. I installed a MSD #8360 with a SS Blaster coil. It's a proven workhorse that won't let you down. If you like running a multi spark 6A or 6AL box, you could run a #85551 with no vacuum advance or a #8361 with a vac advance. The #8360 is a ready to run style. You just need to add a coil. If you're interested in my HEI, let me know.
Jim
I had to remove a brand new MSD Pro Billet #8365 HEI from my 69 Camaro recently. Because of a alteration I made, my HEI no longer fit without touching the firewall. I looked into an Ecurve MSD and asked MSD to send me the instruction book so I could figure out how it works. When it arrived I had a look at the book and decided it was too complicated to set up and if it ever quit on you, the only place to buy parts would be MSD. It wasn't that I couldn't figure it out, it was more like it appeared to be a pain if you like to tune the car frequently. If I were going for a distributor like this I would go for a Crane electronic with optical innards. The MSD Ecurve IMO is too new. I would wait for them to work the bugs out if any first. I installed a MSD #8360 with a SS Blaster coil. It's a proven workhorse that won't let you down. If you like running a multi spark 6A or 6AL box, you could run a #85551 with no vacuum advance or a #8361 with a vac advance. The #8360 is a ready to run style. You just need to add a coil. If you're interested in my HEI, let me know.
Jim
Last edited by GMJim; Jun 4, 2005 at 10:46 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
My Fastburn came with a GM HEI Hi-Perf dist. I picked up another one from a forum member a year or so ago. If I was not racing and just general hi-perf or an occasional bracket run I would go with it because of the point made above.....PARTS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE!!!! jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
Recurving an HEI is actualy pretty easy.
There isn't much of a reason to recurve frequently. Once you have the kit installed it is just a matter of testing and increasing the spring tension from soft to stiffer until the engine stops pinging at WOT. Make sure the curve is not advancing at idle.
After you have that nailed down you can hook up the vacuum advance and forget about it. All the curve does for you is below 2800 RPM. Above that RPM the curve is irrelvant.
Lars wrote some pretty good papers on the subject. They cost a lot less than a new ignition system. Maybe you could put that money into something else?
-Mark.
There isn't much of a reason to recurve frequently. Once you have the kit installed it is just a matter of testing and increasing the spring tension from soft to stiffer until the engine stops pinging at WOT. Make sure the curve is not advancing at idle.
After you have that nailed down you can hook up the vacuum advance and forget about it. All the curve does for you is below 2800 RPM. Above that RPM the curve is irrelvant.
Lars wrote some pretty good papers on the subject. They cost a lot less than a new ignition system. Maybe you could put that money into something else?
-Mark.
