Which performance distributors are available for L98?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Which performance distributors are available for L98?
I have been wanting to rebuild or replace the distributor for my 90 L98. I can't seem to find one that is a billet drop-in with a performance module inside. Any suggestions? Mine looks like the rotor actually RETARDS as the dist accellerates rapidly. Is this true? Are they supposed to do that? I noticed this as I was replacing the module yesterday. I could turn the rotor about 4º back from where it was pointing.
[Modified by 90_roadster, 2:55 PM 4/14/2002]
[Modified by 90_roadster, 2:55 PM 4/14/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (90_roadster)
Go to engine mods and do a search in the back pages. I made a post regarding it, and it's there somewhere. Performance Distributors supposedly does one for the L98. All the vital info is in that post.
[EDIT] I recently replaced my module, pickup,coil,cap,rotor and the car is in tip top shape ignitionwise. I considered a performance distributor also. For the cost of the parts, it's cheaper and easier to do. I used a holley module(7 pin avail from summit) hypertech coil-cap-rotor, MSD wires,and FR5LS AC plugs. Hope that helped.
JD
[Modified by JD 90 383, 4:03 PM 4/14/2002]
[EDIT] I recently replaced my module, pickup,coil,cap,rotor and the car is in tip top shape ignitionwise. I considered a performance distributor also. For the cost of the parts, it's cheaper and easier to do. I used a holley module(7 pin avail from summit) hypertech coil-cap-rotor, MSD wires,and FR5LS AC plugs. Hope that helped.
JD
[Modified by JD 90 383, 4:03 PM 4/14/2002]
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Sherburne,NY NewYork
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (JD 90 383)
What is the advantage of a performance distibutor module? I can understand the benefits of a cap/coil/rotor upgrade.
Inquiring minds want to know...........
Jim B. :D
Inquiring minds want to know...........
Jim B. :D
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Sherburne,NY NewYork
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (vette punk)
Also, as a point of interest, forum member Beach Bum is consistently running mid 11.xx's with a stock distibutor.
Jim B.
Jim B.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (vette punk)
Accel offers a 7 pin upgrade ignition module also. I think they are now offering rebuilt stock HEI distributors as a performance upgrade. You can upgrade/change over to the small cap HEI distributor that was used on the 87 up L98 Camaros, using the dual connection coil (external) and an MSD or Accel billet distributor, but you have to use an MSD 6 for the conversion as best as I can tell. I am in the process of making this conversion now to get some more work area around the super ram.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (vette punk)
Well mine is getting old and worn. On a dist machine there seems to be quite a variance in some of the cylinder timings. I want to put a different distributor in and don't trust the "rebuilds". They seem to have as much shaft play as mine. I can buy a kit to replace parts in it but would feel better (security) if I knew it was new. This way I would never have to do it again. The original is discontinued and the General doesn't have anything to replace it with (that the dealer could find.)
H Woods; Will the 9109 distributor work if I put the 7 pin module in? It looks like it is a drop in but I am unsure.
Also Jim B., are you saying Beach bum could do better with a more accurate distributor? Or did I misunderstand?
[Modified by 90_roadster, 10:47 PM 4/14/2002]
H Woods; Will the 9109 distributor work if I put the 7 pin module in? It looks like it is a drop in but I am unsure.
Also Jim B., are you saying Beach bum could do better with a more accurate distributor? Or did I misunderstand?
[Modified by 90_roadster, 10:47 PM 4/14/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
I might have some bad news. You may want to pull the entire distributor and inspect the distributor gear on the bottom of it. Look for really razor sharp teeth. They should not be like that.
I had a gear blow chunks on me last year. It ripped 3 teeth off completely, and the others were worn wazor sharp. You could turn the rotor a good 1/2" back and forth. It shouldn't do that. :)
Seriously, before you do anything else, inspect that gear.
I had a gear blow chunks on me last year. It ripped 3 teeth off completely, and the others were worn wazor sharp. You could turn the rotor a good 1/2" back and forth. It shouldn't do that. :)
Seriously, before you do anything else, inspect that gear.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Sherburne,NY NewYork
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (90_roadster)
90 Roadster,
What I was saying pertaining to Beach Bum's car was that if he is running times that fast, the stock distributor in good condition may not be all that bad. Would you see a noticable improvement with a performance distributor?
Jim B. :confused:
What I was saying pertaining to Beach Bum's car was that if he is running times that fast, the stock distributor in good condition may not be all that bad. Would you see a noticable improvement with a performance distributor?
Jim B. :confused:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (JD 90 383)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=145445
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=252745
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=236716
Performance Distributors also has (gasp!) a web site with dist choices... http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmdui.htm
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=252745
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=236716
Performance Distributors also has (gasp!) a web site with dist choices... http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmdui.htm
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Shakedown Street,Buffalo N.Y.
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (90_roadster)
My father put an Accel module in his 91. For some time, the car was running poor, and he tryed everything until he stuck the stock module back in, and BAM, back to normal.
Tim :)
Tim :)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98?
WOW thanks for all of the good input guys. I think I am going with the Accel 9109 distributor. I will let you all know how it turns out. It will cost about the same as getting a rebuilt. I will post any HP improvements (though I can't forsee any) as soon as I get it installed. I currently show 221 at the rear wheels (according to Tazzo) and will try to retest under the same conditions.
Vince
Vince
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield CT U.S.A. CT
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98? (90_roadster)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Which performance distributors are available for L98?
OK here is what I ended up with. I replaced my stock dist with an Accel 9109. It is a cast unit with a locked advance. It also has the performance module in it and comes with new wiring.
I have some test results.
A little smother idle. I believe tis is due to the tighter bushings and gear. I noticed that the static timing is now rock solid whereas it drifted slightly before.
Tazzo showed a 2 hp differrence. 223 now as opposed to 221 before (30-60MPH 2nd gear). It also feels torquier (or at least I think it does). I am sure my butt isn't that sensitive. I can now stay in 2nd up to 67 whae I used to shift at 64. Am I just braver?
My 60' time has gone up slightly. Was 1.98 - 2.05 (4 runs) to 2.06 - 2.15. This may be due to more wheel spin today. I will play with tire pressure and launches.
1/4 mile has also gone up slightly from 13.54 to 13.71 (probably due to the 60' time) but I have raised to 101.8 MPH from 101.3 trap speed. ( best of 3 runs). I was also bucking a cross wind today.
I am going to tune a little more and see what goes.
Scorp you were right. The gear was worn hence the play in the old unit.
[Modified by my doggie, 10:24 PM 4/17/2002]
[Modified by 90_roadster, 10:25 PM 4/17/2002]
I have some test results.
A little smother idle. I believe tis is due to the tighter bushings and gear. I noticed that the static timing is now rock solid whereas it drifted slightly before.
Tazzo showed a 2 hp differrence. 223 now as opposed to 221 before (30-60MPH 2nd gear). It also feels torquier (or at least I think it does). I am sure my butt isn't that sensitive. I can now stay in 2nd up to 67 whae I used to shift at 64. Am I just braver?
My 60' time has gone up slightly. Was 1.98 - 2.05 (4 runs) to 2.06 - 2.15. This may be due to more wheel spin today. I will play with tire pressure and launches.
1/4 mile has also gone up slightly from 13.54 to 13.71 (probably due to the 60' time) but I have raised to 101.8 MPH from 101.3 trap speed. ( best of 3 runs). I was also bucking a cross wind today.
I am going to tune a little more and see what goes.
Scorp you were right. The gear was worn hence the play in the old unit.
[Modified by my doggie, 10:24 PM 4/17/2002]
[Modified by 90_roadster, 10:25 PM 4/17/2002]
