Swapping Large Distributor For Small???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Swapping Large Distributor For Small???
I have an 88 L-98 Coupe. I would like to change the large cap distributor for the small one. As I have been looking for a aftermarket performance big cap, and they just don't make em. However, MSD makes a Pro Billit unit model #8366 that looks like a top notch unit. They also have a remote coil model #8226. My question is: Has anybody made the swap, and how difficult was it? Looks like you have to run your coil, and tach wires to the coil, then from the coil to the small cap plug ins. It looks pretty str8 forward. I'm just wondering about the computer control portion. I know they make some pigtails for this, but is the color code the same, and where does the coil mount? My brother has an IROQ with the small dist. I guess I could look at that. It is below 0 here now, and that makes it a pain to prance about looking under hoods
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 12
Originally Posted by Steel Breeze
I have an 88 L-98 Coupe. I would like to change the large cap distributor for the small one. As I have been looking for a aftermarket performance big cap, and they just don't make em. However, MSD makes a Pro Billit unit model #8366 that looks like a top notch unit. They also have a remote coil model #8226. My question is: Has anybody made the swap, and how difficult was it? Looks like you have to run your coil, and tach wires to the coil, then from the coil to the small cap plug ins. It looks pretty str8 forward. I'm just wondering about the computer control portion. I know they make some pigtails for this, but is the color code the same, and where does the coil mount? My brother has an IROQ with the small dist. I guess I could look at that. It is below 0 here now, and that makes it a pain to prance about looking under hoods
Accel also makes a kit to convert.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
see Jim performance web, he has a plug in connector that sweet. Also i'm researching the fact (heard this) that the gear in the 8366 may have some issues with 350 w/roller cam must use a drive gear for the big HEI that is diff from the drive gear used for flat tapet cams, so i'm checking this out with MSD to see... now this is a rumor a friend told me about... maybe someone has additional info that may shead some light on this.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Originally Posted by kopbet89c4
This is how easy it is.
Its so easy to get to things now.
Its so easy to get to things now.
Originally Posted by hippy
Accel makes a cap. Personally I think the coil in cap is pretty bullet proof as the larger cap in theory should stop crossfire.
Accel also makes a kit to convert.
Accel also makes a kit to convert.
Originally Posted by vinnies87
see Jim performance web, he has a plug in connector that sweet. Also i'm researching the fact (heard this) that the gear in the 8366 may have some issues with 350 w/roller cam must use a drive gear for the big HEI that is diff from the drive gear used for flat tapet cams, so i'm checking this out with MSD to see... now this is a rumor a friend told me about... maybe someone has additional info that may shead some light on this.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
Well, I took my distributer from a 94 GMC truck. Complete all from the cap on top to the distributer gear. Bought all the connectors on ebay. There is a total of 6 wires you need to cut and splice. At first, I thought this would be a hard project. In fact, it was so easy it took me 1 hour, from removing the big HEI distributer, looking at an online diagram, gathering the connectors I bought from TPI PARTS on ebay, cutting and splicing wires, dropping the small HEI in its place correctly, starting it and timing it. Good luck with your conversion. Ignore all the negative posts in this thread. Do whatever you feel is best.
In fact, the color coding on the ECM 4 wire pigtail you need is the same on your Vette.
In fact, the color coding on the ECM 4 wire pigtail you need is the same on your Vette.
Last edited by kopbet89c4; Dec 4, 2006 at 02:19 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Steel Breeze
I have an 88 L-98 Coupe. I would like to change the large cap distributor for the small one.RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Unless you need clearance, save you money IMHO, nothing to gain plus your need to mount the coil somewhere
Here is my 8366, it cleared the Superram better as well as the Stealth Ram too
Here is my 8366, it cleared the Superram better as well as the Stealth Ram too
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 110
From: Brandon Fl
Originally Posted by LD85
Unless you need clearance, save you money IMHO, nothing to gain plus your need to mount the coil somewhere
Here is my 8366, it cleared the Superram better as well as the Stealth Ram too
[[/IMG]
Here is my 8366, it cleared the Superram better as well as the Stealth Ram too
[[/IMG]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Wow! This thread kinda got off topic.
I can't find a precision Large Cap distributor for computer control, there are some nice Opti's out there. The only way I can get the accuracy, and the ball bearings etc. Is go with the small cap MSD unit. I do have a bunch of Big Cap distributor parts, and even a couple of distributors, that I may sell on the forum. I've got to get my furnace hooked up in my garage before I can do much of anything I don't believe I have ever seen 15* below zero around here in November... 
I can't find a precision Large Cap distributor for computer control, there are some nice Opti's out there. The only way I can get the accuracy, and the ball bearings etc. Is go with the small cap MSD unit. I do have a bunch of Big Cap distributor parts, and even a couple of distributors, that I may sell on the forum. I've got to get my furnace hooked up in my garage before I can do much of anything
I don't believe I have ever seen 15* below zero around here in November...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
What do you mean by precision? Do you realize that there is less slop in the stock shaft and bushing set up than in a ball bearing? Tons of L98s and plenty of other cars and trucks use a large cap, computer controlled, HEI. They ought to be available everywhere. I didn't think there was such a thing as a "nice Opti". All else being equal, I would avoid an LT engine, just for that reason. And yes, it has been rather nippley out.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
You guys need to keep the **** on topic. I cleaned up this thread this morning only to find you ****s cluttered it all up again.
Cut the ****ing **** before I get pissed.
Cut the ****ing **** before I get pissed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
What do you mean by precision? Do you realize that there is less slop in the stock shaft and bushing set up than in a ball bearing? Tons of L98s and plenty of other cars and trucks use a large cap, computer controlled, HEI. They ought to be available everywhere. I didn't think there was such a thing as a "nice Opti". All else being equal, I would avoid an LT engine, just for that reason. And yes, it has been rather nippley out.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
. It's a little warmer at your location, but not much. Not sure what I will do. Depends on my money situation, and that isn't so good. Perhaps I will take the Dist. I have now, and use as a core, and pick up a rebuilt. No I didn't realize there was less slop in a bushing. I will certainly keep that in mind. On the Opti, I was just noticing the aftermarket units, and using that as a reference. As far as the LT1, I would pass on it for that reason as well. No offence to the LT1 gang... Thanks, Tom
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Alright guys, I think the boss is asleep now.
So kobblevet, show us some more pics of your fuel rail electrifier before CFI tells any more nipple jokes.
So kobblevet, show us some more pics of your fuel rail electrifier before CFI tells any more nipple jokes.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
Alright guys, I think the boss is asleep now.
So kobblevet, show us some more pics of your fuel rail electrifier before CFI tells any more nipple jokes.
So kobblevet, show us some more pics of your fuel rail electrifier before CFI tells any more nipple jokes.