Ok, so I missed, this should have been in C4 Tech, sorry.

Rumor has it that the HEI ignition found on your typical late model SBC is a little bit lacking above 4500 RPM's. A friend of mine has an 87 IROC with a carb'd 350 that is currently running the stock HEI ignition. The induction / cam setup is such that the car will want to make power in the 6500 RPM range.

To be safe though he wants a rev limiter. Most aftermarket ignition boxes allow this, and he already has a Holley Annihilator ignition box. As such though he says he can't connect it because the Holley unit will fry his stock coil in no time. Holley does in fact say that this ignition system must be used with a capacitive discharge style coil. Holley has discontinued all of their ignition products but they say this system is compatable with any aftermarket capacitive discharge coil. I was thinking using the MSD remote coil adapter and some MSD or any other brand coil.

The problem is that there are about a million different options out there. What's the best combo that he could get to work with his Holley box? What other things should we look out for? I think MSD sells a special rotor button for high power ignition applications?

As a side note I am well aware of the problems with the Holley Annihilator ignition boxes, they were so proud of them that they stopped making them. One of his contacts at Holley assures us though that based off of the serial number it is one of the good ones. I'll believe it when I see it. If it were me I'd sell it on E-bay and go MSD all the way, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

I have to disagree with the underlying premise that the HEI isn't much good past 4500 rpms. It's the TPI that gives up early. I had a friend that had an alcohol fueled 350 Camaro running 10s at the track with an HEI. He was shifting in the 8000 rpm range. Certainly, he WAS a candidate for a better ignition system, but it worked while he was saving up to up grade. Rest in peace, Wayne.

RACE ON!!!

 

Well, it's only money! right. I agree with CFI-EFI! I've seen these systems run well into the 8K range with no scatter. I would trash the Holly system, Rebuild the HEI with a good long dwell Hi-per module, MSD cap rotor and HEI coil or at the very most couple it to a MSD 6A. Simple, relatively inexpensive and reliable. HEI is good. You can make it better but its a good system. The 6A has rev limitors built in which can help save an enging too.

 

Jacobs Electronics also says the Vette HEI with the integral coil is an excellent system. Not much to improve on, and remember they sell "upgrade" stuff.

Jake

 

I just bought a MSD 8366 small cap billet distributor with external Blaster coil combined with the MSD 6 AL, I will know in a week or so how well this all works, I was told that the 8366 is the only small cap distributor to buy that is comparable to the Vette HEI,

IMHO, you can't beat the 6AL for delivering good spark, accurate tachometer readings and of course you get the added benefit of the rev lmiter which has saved my engine at least once.