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Hi all. I have an '82 crossfire. Thinking of upgrading the distributor, and then upgrading with new spark plug wires to dress engine up a bit. Any suggestions? Would also like to upgrade valve covers.
Wow, that's gonna take some doing! You already have one of the most reliable and highest performing distributors Chevrolet ever put on the first generation small blocks. Valve covers as well. The first generation SB (with the tin covers) was notorious for leaking oil down the sides of the engine. The C1-C2/LT-1/L-82 cast aluminum valve covers were the go to valve covers for every performance enthusiast that wanted a quick cure to that problem.
On the other hand changing out the plugs/wires/distributor cap/rotor for a new set of originals could well be an upgrade, especially if the originals are still installed.
Now if you're talking about adding "bling" that is another matter all together, just don't confuse that with an actual upgrade.
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Originally Posted by jgonzo
Hi all. I have an '82 crossfire. Thinking of upgrading the distributor, and then upgrading with new spark plug wires to dress engine up a bit. Any suggestions? Would also like to upgrade valve covers.
Thanks
What specifically is lacking in your distributor's performance that is requiring an "upgrade"?
I'm pretty sure the 82 crossfire runs a different coil than the standard chevy. The wire color was used in Cadillac and I think oldsmobile. Something to check out if you order a High Output coil and cap.
I hope you are not thinking you'll feel any power gains? Our engines fall on there face, way before our ignition is being maxed out.
Modifying the advance curve for quicker advance may be beneficial so long as it does not affect anything with the crossfire setup.A good tuneup with high quality cap/rotor/wires is never a bad thing so long as it is needed.
When I did the carb conversion on my 84 xfire I used my original cap , rotor and coil with the accel non computer hei with no problems. Since your xfire hei is computer controlled adjusting advance curve will require a custom chip.
I'm sure the programming in the factory Cross-Fire ECM is written for:
1) Lowest warranty! (meaning, modest performance)
2) Lowest emissions! (meaning, poorer performance and less mileage)
3) Lowest cost!
That's just the way GM works. If you want to improve performance, you'll have to modify the programming.
But, I had an '84 (in '83) and it ran fine, got decent mileage (much better than a non-ECM car) and performed 'adequately'. It could do 130 mph, so it was better aerodynamically than prior years.
I'm pretty sure the 82 crossfire runs a different coil than the standard chevy. The wire color was used in Cadillac and I think oldsmobile. Something to check out if you order a High Output coil and cap.
I hope you are not thinking you'll feel any power gains? Our engines fall on there face, way before our ignition is being maxed out.
Hey hugie, speak for yourself..... had the 82 out this AM before the snow, had to pull somewhat of a hole shot at this one light, and started losing the rear end, going sideways.....now that never happened before, so much for the CFI falling flat on its face.....
On a serious note to the OP, I put a MSD cap, and rotor, and upgraded the ignition module & coil with Pertronix units. Just get the coil with the correct color wires. Would have to look at mine again. My engine runs great and I am now over 130,000 miles on my "dd", starts right up everytime, no hesitation, and still surprises a lot of people for a 33 year old machine.
I don't feel there is a need to upgrade a HEI other than what I just mentioned. As others are saying, they are extremely reliable units.
Good luck.........Tom
DUI Distributor (which will have its upgraded module and high voltage coil), magnecor wires and iridium plugs.
The HEI distributor is a great, reliable unit for most cars but it can be upgraded in certain applications where higher voltage may be beneficial such as high RPM applications. The stock coil and module are well known to fall off in performance above 4,500 RPM (although probably not an issue with a stock CF engine). I replaced the coil and module on my L-82 over 20 years ago with aftermarket units with no issues (and no noticeable gain in performance in a stock engine, although it did improve idle smoothness). I am planning to replace the stock HEI unit this Spring since the weights have been sticking with a MSD E unit, primarily since it comes with a vast variety of advance curve choices and has a built in rev limiter which I can set to whatever RPM I wish along with a high performance coil and module for my rebuilt 355 L-82. The MSD E distributor is pricey though for most applications and probably overkill for a stock type engine.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Feb 15, 2015 at 05:30 PM.
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Originally Posted by Larry82
DUI Distributor (which will have its upgraded module and high voltage coil), magnecor wires and iridium plugs.
A "high voltage" coil only means it has high dielectric/insulation capabilities. That is completely different from any electrical (ie: voltage, current, energy) output specs.
The HEI distributor is a great, reliable unit for most cars but it can be upgraded in certain applications where higher voltage may be beneficial such as high RPM applications. The stock coil and module are well known to fall off in performance above 4,500 RPM (although probably not an issue with a stock CF engine). I replaced the coil and module on my L-82 over 20 years ago with aftermarket units with no issues (and no noticeable gain in performance in a stock engine, although it did improve idle smoothness). I am planning to replace the stock HEI unit this Spring since the weights have been sticking with a MSD E unit, primarily since it comes with a vast variety of advance curve choices and has a built in rev limiter which I can set to whatever RPM I wish along with a high performance coil and module for my rebuilt 355 L-82. The MSD E distributor is pricey though for most applications and probably overkill for a stock type engine.
Skip the MSD E and go direct to the 6530 Programable. This does required a Locked out distributor and the addition of a GM 1 bar map sensor. The MSD e does allow you to change the curve simply but you will find you dont have as much control as you may like with a modified engine.
A "high voltage" coil only means it has high dielectric/insulation capabilities. That is completely different from any electrical (ie: voltage, current, energy) output specs.
"Our Racing DUI Coil Kit is designed for high revving engines that spin more than 7000 rpm’s. This coil is capable of 10,000 rpm’s, that is almost twice the output of a stock HEI coil! The Racing Coil comes installed in a brass terminal cap and includes the rotor and nylon rotor hold down screws. With the higher voltage output, spark plug gaps can be opened up to .055″. The wider plug gaps will allow more spark energy into the combustion chamber providing a better burn of the fuel mixture for increased horsepower. The Racing Coil Kits fit all GM V8, 6 cylinder and 4 cylinder HEI/DUI distributors."
"Our Racing DUI Coil Kit is designed for high revving engines that spin more than 7000 rpm’s. This coil is capable of 10,000 rpm’s, that is almost twice the output of a stock HEI coil! That's not output, that's dynamic range. Two different things. The Racing Coil comes installed in a brass terminal cap and includes the rotor and nylon rotor hold down screws. With the higher voltage output The coil does not determine the gap voltage. The gap voltage is mainly determined by the cylinder pressure and the gap width. , spark plug gaps can be opened up to .055″. The wider plug gaps will allow more spark energy into the combustion chamber A wider gap increases the spark voltage, not the spark energy (the coil determines the energy level). A wider gap also shortens the plug "burn" time. There's no free lunch here with wider gaps. providing a better burn of the fuel mixture for increased horsepower. The Racing Coil Kits fit all GM V8, 6 cylinder and 4 cylinder HEI/DUI distributors."
In all likelihood this is probably a very good quality product. My point here is that I don't see any technical information/specs regarding this product.
In all likelihood this is probably a very good quality product. My point here is that I don't see any technical information/specs regarding this product.
come on, it says "Racing Coil", isn't that good enough? and it must be good if it has to have a "Danger" sticker on it...
Then, ignore my post and you won't have to post childish responses anymore. If their product was not what is advertized, they would not have been selling them for years. There are other distributor manufacturers/distributors that advertize the same thing, absent the coil sticker. GO AFTER THEM!
Upgrade HEI distributor
