id like your thoughts/recomendations on ignition upgrades that would include distributors...
Mallory...MSD...ACCEL...etc...???

 

Hello Sign,
I have always had the MSD 6A on my 81 (was on there when I bought it back in 95) without any problems. I just recently went with a new Accel distributor and am very pleased with it. Both are basically maintenance free and very dependable. Just my $.02 worth.

YBnormal...drive a vette

 

I am running the stock dist firing a Crane HI6 box. I use heavy duty points to trigger the syatem. An MSD coil is used also. I have never had a probelm to 7000+ rpm and I have not touched it in 5 years. Has rotary dials for a rev limiter (which has saved me many times). Great system for not a huge investment.

 

If your stock HEI is working properly it is just as good as any other ignition available for a street performance engine.

If your stock HEI isn't working well and needs to be replaced I would recemend an aftermarket HEI replacement just for ease of installation and simplicity. MSD, Accell, Proform, etc all make good HEI units that are direct fit for your engine.

If you want to spend more money than that you can go to an MSD 6T/6AL/Digital with a distributor and coil or the similar Crane Hyfire package. Instalation will require mounting a coil and box with some rewiring required but not a real difficult job.

The bottom line is if your HEI is working properly don't expect a performance gain. If you still want to replace it, then it is a matter of how much you want to spend. All of the above suggestions will give you the same performance giving the RPM range you will use them at.

 

Complete MSD ignition here. MSD 6AL box, billet/tach drive distributor, Blaster coil and MSD wires. Distributor interfaced perfectly with my cable driven tach, love the rev control-have a manual trans. Been trouble free 5 years now.

 

i debated for a long time about getting an aftermarket ignition. finally went with an MSD digital 6 plus ignition. also, got the HVC blaster coil (6252) and replaced distributor cap and rotor with MSD products. using Moroso Blue Max wires. so far (2 months) i've been extremely happy with the setup. my 79 starts faster and idles smoother and off the line response is better. by the way, don't know what year vette you have but you cannot use solid core spark plug wires with these ignitions. too much EMI interference. you must use spiral core wires.

i recommend you get the MSD coil if you get their ignition box. people who don't seem to have coil problems. remember, the ignition is sending 500+ volts to the coil and stepping up to about 50,000 instead of the stock ignition which sends only 12 volts to the coil. the multiple spark output below 3000 rpm seems to burn fuel much more completely which i assumed is the reason for improved starting, idling, and low end throttle response.

digital 6 is more expensive than the 6A (analog). BUT...... with the 6a you have to buy rev limiter plug in "pills" at 25.00 per bag of 5. digital 6 has built in dip switch which allows rev limit control in 100 rpm increments from 2000 up to about 12,000 rpm. it also has a starter retard mode which when enabled retards the spark 20 degrees during starting. this helps both cold and hot starts. also, has a second stage rev limiter for launch rpm (if you decide on track use) and a nitrous retard option (a must if you ever decide to use nitrous). digital technology is also more precise than the older analog units. hope this helps

 

One of the best ignition replys I have recently seen.