Help finding the proper distributor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
Help finding the proper distributor
I cannot seem to find any aftermarket distributor that is "plug and play" for my 91 L98 engine. The one the parts guy sold me today ended up being and ACCEL with vaccum advance and no 5 pin connection for the electronics.
Do I have to go back to a stock GM unit?
Thanks,
Brad
Do I have to go back to a stock GM unit?
Thanks,
Brad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
In the aftermarket , at least from Sumitt's listings, there appears to be no direct replacement for the Vette computer controlled HEI dist
Plenty of remote coil/ small cap types as used on F-Bodies and trucks
Plenty of remote coil/ small cap types as used on F-Bodies and trucks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I cannot seem to find any aftermarket distributor that is "plug and play" for my 91 L98 engine. The one the parts guy sold me today ended up being and ACCEL with vaccum advance and no 5 pin connection for the electronics.
Do I have to go back to a stock GM unit?
Thanks,
Brad
Do I have to go back to a stock GM unit?
Thanks,
Brad
They do tend to be more expensive depending on make/model of car though
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Some are after functionality rather than cool
The DUI ones as in link above have the "cool " sticker you like
http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmssdui.htm
The DUI ones as in link above have the "cool " sticker you like
http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmssdui.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,479
Likes: 565
From: Clearwater Florida
MSD has a Small cap HEI ... PN 8366 ... you need to mount an external coil ... I went to the pick n pull and got the wiring harness from a 90's Vortec C1500 with Dual connector coil and mounted an MSD Blaster 3 coil to a valve cover ... works great ! MSD Pro-Billet EFI ready to run distributor .....
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Trenton Ohio
One of GM's Not So Great Ideas!
I cannot seem to find any aftermarket distributor that is "plug and play" for my 91 L98 engine. The one the parts guy sold me today ended up being and ACCEL with vaccum advance and no 5 pin connection for the electronics.
Do I have to go back to a stock GM unit?
Thanks,
Brad
Do I have to go back to a stock GM unit?
Thanks,
Brad
Just joined and wouldn't 'ya know it, just went through this! The deal is that NOBODY has an aftermarket "plug-n-play" distributor for OUR 1991 L-98s. You can install a "small cap" and remote coil, but be advised the ECM in these cars DOES NOT LIKE any changes AT ALL! LOL! The ECM receives feedback from the distributor. You can have a new chip burnt that will make the ECM "like" the new small cap distributor, but, really, I agree with some of the others here. Just do a good rebuild of your stock HEI and it will perform just as good if not better than an aftermarket distributor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
I have been running a MSD 8366 (and a stock F-body dist before that) for three years on my HSR and the computer has no problems.
The small cap dist (GM or aftermarket ) has exactly the same wires/ outputs to the computer that the HEI does.
You just buy a $15 harness to adapt the small plug on the small cap dist to the large HEI plug on your engine wiring harness so you can swap dist at any time.
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Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Trenton Ohio
That's GREAT Info!
Sorry ,
I have been running a MSD 8366 (and a stock F-body dist before that) for three years on my HSR and the computer has no problems.
The small cap dist (GM or aftermarket ) has exactly the same wires/ outputs to the computer that the HEI does.
You just buy a $15 harness to adapt the small plug on the small cap dist to the large HEI plug on your engine wiring harness so you can swap dist at any time.
I have been running a MSD 8366 (and a stock F-body dist before that) for three years on my HSR and the computer has no problems.
The small cap dist (GM or aftermarket ) has exactly the same wires/ outputs to the computer that the HEI does.
You just buy a $15 harness to adapt the small plug on the small cap dist to the large HEI plug on your engine wiring harness so you can swap dist at any time.
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Trenton Ohio
Can Ya' Tell Us More?
So, its the large cap, [U]electronic[U]advance? I wanted a billet model like Rodj because I wanted ball bearing support at the top of the shaft. Does this one have ball bearings or is it bushings top and bottom like stock HEI? Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
The cap is the same as stock. The coil is larger and higher voltage than stock and has the HIGH VOLTAGE sticker for the coolness factor. The body is pretty much stock. They used to use polished billet but not any more. So I suspect they use the stock bushings. It is a direct replacement. I plan on swapping the cap to a crossfire to clean up spark plug wire routing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Summit have this Accel HEI replacement listed as computer controled , with 7 pin module , electronic advance
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-59109/
The image may be generic as it does not show the external wiring required to connect to the engine harness
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
MSD has a Small cap HEI ... PN 8366 ... you need to mount an external coil ... I went to the pick n pull and got the wiring harness from a 90's Vortec C1500 with Dual connector coil and mounted an MSD Blaster 3 coil to a valve cover ... works great ! MSD Pro-Billet EFI ready to run distributor .....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,479
Likes: 565
From: Clearwater Florida
ANY GM V8 small cap dizzy has the correct harness connector to get the dis hooked to the chassis 4-pin plug ... it also has the wiring that gets you hooked to a coil ... It wouldn't surprise me if the V6's are the same ......... My ECM never had any dispute with the small cap setup ... hooked it up and drove away ....... MSD sells a connector harness for the coil side ... PN 8876 ... but it is intended for hooking a dual connector coil up to an ignition box like a 6AL ... I have a 6AL but knew that the wires had to be lengthened to accomodate my choice of coil and its mounting position so I hacked the one from the pick-n-pull . If you GOTTA have new theres always the friendly dealer near you . When dealing with performance I always avoid the lure of cheap $$ "Walmart" brands .... They work , but usually dissapoint ...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,462
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Sorry ,
I have been running a MSD 8366 (and a stock F-body dist before that) for three years on my HSR and the computer has no problems.
The small cap dist (GM or aftermarket ) has exactly the same wires/ outputs to the computer that the HEI does.
You just buy a $15 harness to adapt the small plug on the small cap dist to the large HEI plug on your engine wiring harness so you can swap dist at any time.
I have been running a MSD 8366 (and a stock F-body dist before that) for three years on my HSR and the computer has no problems.
The small cap dist (GM or aftermarket ) has exactly the same wires/ outputs to the computer that the HEI does.
You just buy a $15 harness to adapt the small plug on the small cap dist to the large HEI plug on your engine wiring harness so you can swap dist at any time.
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Trenton Ohio
HA! At Last!
Correction
Summit have this Accel HEI replacement listed as computer controled , with 7 pin module , electronic advance
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-59109/
The image may be generic as it does not show the external wiring required to connect to the engine harness
Summit have this Accel HEI replacement listed as computer controled , with 7 pin module , electronic advance
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-59109/
The image may be generic as it does not show the external wiring required to connect to the engine harness