I'm looking to replace the cap, rotor and wires on my 1990.

The stock unit is the screw down type cap.

Initially I wanted to go with a red cap & wires from MSD. I cant seem to find the appropriate type cap, it seems the colored caps utilize the twist type retainers.

Its ok if I cant find a red cap, but brass terminals would be preferred.

 

What about the Hypertech Cap & Rotor It's black but it's the high output coil and sticks up higher than the stock one. Just a thought Pipe

 

Just thought about something. You should be able to put your stock coil and cover on the Hypertech unit. It has Brass Contacts inside the cap and the Rotor comes with Nylon Screws so no sparks inside the cap. Pipe

 

I think the Accel unit is the one that doesn't fit under the stock cover. The Hypertech fits perfectly under the cover

 

I went through this same exact scenario, wanting to install an MSD cap on my L98. After noticing the difference in mounting types, I called up MSD. The first tech support guy I got told me "uhhhh doesn't look like we offer a screw down HEI cap" but he had that "kid sound" to his voice...

In disbelief, wondering how MSD could possibly not offer a solution for a corvette cap, I called again the next day. Got a more competent sounding guy on the phone and he replied quicky with a part number to the cap with the hooks, and explained to me that the factory mounting is the screws but the hook style could be used most of the time on the same apps. He said the thing to content with will be clearance to "swing" the hooks into place, which also doesn't look to be an issue.

He told me to check under the screw holes in the distributor and see if the provisions were there to "lock" the hooks in place. They appeared to be there on my car, so I went and picked up the cap and a bunch of other ignition goodies.

I HAVE NOT tried to actually install it as my car is in project stage right now, but if you need to know for sure I can go give it a shot. The part number is 84111 on the cap I have and my car is an 87.

Hope this helps.

 

I got a clear twist type for my '88. I read on here they can be used even if it came with the screw down kind-you just use the tabs instead.

 

Yep, been running that setup for >8yrs now...

 

i had an accel cap on my 85 - fit perfect under the stock cover...

 

Looks like their standard coil fits and its their "supercoil" that won't fit under the cover

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-3-140-836.html

 

I was wondering about this. I noticed if you flip the distributor upside down and look at the base you can see the detents that receive the twist locks. I wondered if the ears that accept the screws would cause an interference with a twist type cap.

I really want to go with a red cap and wires. I think I'll call MSD, see what they have to say.

Oh yeah, I plan on running the wires over the valve covers and was thinking of using these

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

I bought an MSD cap for my '90 not knowing it was a spring clip type cap.All I did was take pliers and bend the bottoms of the tabs straight,pulled them out from the top and then went to Home Depot with the screws from my old cap in hand.I bought some 1" long bolts with the same thread and ran them right on in.Has worked like a charm for a year now.

ps- I just saw the question about the tab type working with a screw on dist..no it wont,if someone got it to work I don't know how they did it.I tried that first and it only took a minute for me to realize it was a losing battle

 

I converted a hold down clamp Mr. Gasket CLEAR dist cap from summit by using longer bolts also.

It works perfectly and looks incredibly cool at night. Look for http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

Nice, thanks for the tip.

 

The latch type HEI caps will fit fine on a screw type distributor, just use the latches, works fine. You Can convert the cap itself to use screws, but why bother..

 

Because of this post, I went and bought an MSD cap/rotor set, L-hook
style, and tried them on my DUI distributor (it's out of the car right
right now). There is no way the hooks will work with this distributor,
but lopping them off, and using 10-24 (or 3/16"-24 if you like) filbert-
head screws worked like a charm.

I'm not saying it won't work with an OE distributor, mind you, but it
wasn't happening with the Davis unit...

 

I ordered a MSD cap & rotor, should arrive early this week. I'll let you know for sure.

 

 

UPDATE:

The twist type cap will not fit.

I cut off the fastners and installed the cap using 2" #10-24 screws.

By re installing the springs and then installing the screws, it keeps the head of the screw up high. Makes it a little easier to get at.

 

Good call.....I tried them both, and went with the shorter ones, but I may have switched back when I actually had to try the distributor in the car instead....

 

Mallory has a red screw down cap and rotor kit, part # is 520. I haven't used it, but it's out there. Found them at Summit back when I was looking at which set up I wanted.

DUI also has their stree/strip version in red.
http://www.performancedistributors.com/coils.htm