Aftermarket Distributor?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
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Aftermarket Distributor?
Hey Bros...
Any idea if this aftermarket distributor will work for my '86 'vert?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290654444796...xp=mtr#vi-desc
Seller says it should, but seems there are not many aftermarket options out there other than DUI...
Any idea if this aftermarket distributor will work for my '86 'vert?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290654444796...xp=mtr#vi-desc
Seller says it should, but seems there are not many aftermarket options out there other than DUI...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
It looks like an early HEI for mid-70's to early 80's small block Chevy motors. The vacuum advance is not useable. The ad specifically says not for computer-controlled ignition systems.
IMHO, I would question the quality of a $36 complete distributor anyway...
IMHO, I would question the quality of a $36 complete distributor anyway...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Best option is to get a rebuilt (Cardone?) from your local auto parts store. Not very many aftermarket replacements (1 or 2?) and they aren't cheap. MSD is over $300 IIRC.
FWIW, the vette dizzy is unique. It may be the caddy is the only other car that used the same unit. OTOH, if you're willing to do a remote-mount coil, you can emulate F-bodies and add a couple of possible aftermarket intakes to the mix.
FWIW, the vette dizzy is unique. It may be the caddy is the only other car that used the same unit. OTOH, if you're willing to do a remote-mount coil, you can emulate F-bodies and add a couple of possible aftermarket intakes to the mix.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
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True...What would you recommend as a drop in? Any choices other than DUI?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Best option is to get a rebuilt (Cardone?) from your local auto parts store. Not very many aftermarket replacements (1 or 2?) and they aren't cheap. MSD is over $300 IIRC.
FWIW, the vette dizzy is unique. It may be the caddy is the only other car that used the same unit. OTOH, if you're willing to do a remote-mount coil, you can emulate F-bodies and add a couple of possible aftermarket intakes to the mix.
FWIW, the vette dizzy is unique. It may be the caddy is the only other car that used the same unit. OTOH, if you're willing to do a remote-mount coil, you can emulate F-bodies and add a couple of possible aftermarket intakes to the mix.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What is it you are trying to do? Is your distributor needing a rebuild or ??? What if any mods do you have on the motor?
The stock coil will provide more than enough spark for a stock motor and even motors with mild mods like a cam, headers and exhaust.
I would get a good quality cap and rotor with brass contacts like a Taylor, some good plug wires from MSD, Moroso, or Taylor and new plugs.
The stock coil will provide more than enough spark for a stock motor and even motors with mild mods like a cam, headers and exhaust.
I would get a good quality cap and rotor with brass contacts like a Taylor, some good plug wires from MSD, Moroso, or Taylor and new plugs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I just spent $319.00 on a new DUI distributor, and guess what?.. Its the same Delco Remy thats stock in our cars from the factory..All they do is add a higher output coil and a high output ICM ..Except for those 2 things its the same distributor that you have right now...Save your money and just keep what you have, add a new coil and ICM for $100.00 if you feel you need to.......Trust Me on this....WW
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
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What is it you are trying to do? Is your distributor needing a rebuild or ??? What if any mods do you have on the motor?
The stock coil will provide more than enough spark for a stock motor and even motors with mild mods like a cam, headers and exhaust.
I would get a good quality cap and rotor with brass contacts like a Taylor, some good plug wires from MSD, Moroso, or Taylor and new plugs.
The stock coil will provide more than enough spark for a stock motor and even motors with mild mods like a cam, headers and exhaust.
I would get a good quality cap and rotor with brass contacts like a Taylor, some good plug wires from MSD, Moroso, or Taylor and new plugs.
No mods.
I have those parts ready to put in, so kind of over it...but just in case, here's another one I was looking at...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-La...item5887212999
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I just spent $319.00 on a new DUI distributor, and guess what?.. Its the same Delco Remy thats stock in our cars from the factory..All they do is add a higher output coil and a high output ICM ..Except for those 2 things its the same distributor that you have right now...Save your money and just keep what you have, add a new coil and ICM for $100.00 if you feel you need to.......Trust Me on this....WW
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA
I have those parts ready to put in, so kind of over it...but just in case, here's another one I was looking at...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-La...item5887212999
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Basically, it needs a rebuild, and since I wanted to replace cap, rotor, module, etc., I figured this might be cheaper and easier.
No mods.
I have those parts ready to put in, so kind of over it...but just in case, here's another one I was looking at...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-La...item5887212999
No mods.
I have those parts ready to put in, so kind of over it...but just in case, here's another one I was looking at...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-La...item5887212999
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Get a remanufactured distributor for your '86 Corvette The two units you showed will not work in your car.A Cardone reman unit (p/n 301869) is $90 from Rockauto (there is a $50 refundable core charge) or an AC Delco unit (p/n D2104 from them for $125 and a $40 refundable core charge.
You should also be able to find these distributors from just about any parts store.
I quickly found a number of flea-bay Cardone distributors specificially for an 86 Corvette here and the listed prices are similar to those above. although the prices include a $50 core charge. Unless you are buying a brand-new distributor expect to pay a core charge and get it back when you return your old unit.
Also these units typically do not come with a coil, module, cap and rotor. As I had mentioned earlier, get good parts for the distributor and you will be good to go.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 201
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From: Te Kauwhata New Zealand
Sorry, but can I add a few more questions?
I have a standard 85 Vette, no mods to the engine (yet). Only things I've done so far is to dress it up, lick of paint, new cam chain and Ali cover, some braided hose, Stainless steel piping and a general clean.
Have asked about a few other upgrades and told to stick with what I have, which I am doing. But one other thing I was looking at was installing a new distributor, maybe an MSD.
Mine does not appear to have anything wrong with it, but while the car is off the road for the jobs I am doing, maybe install one.
BTW, I don't have the spare cash to do a complete upgrade for that extra bit of HP, so have to do things one thing at a time (Got to keep the wife happy at the same time).
Parts are not as readly available here as in the States, so I have to take into account overseas shipping. One day it will die and I will need to find a replacement.
So if I do go for a nice preforming MSD, which one should I go for?
And if you recommendation is to keep it, the responces talk about new coil, cap etc, whats the best here too.
Regards Kevin.
"Maybe I'll get something new on the Girl"
I have a standard 85 Vette, no mods to the engine (yet). Only things I've done so far is to dress it up, lick of paint, new cam chain and Ali cover, some braided hose, Stainless steel piping and a general clean.
Have asked about a few other upgrades and told to stick with what I have, which I am doing. But one other thing I was looking at was installing a new distributor, maybe an MSD.
Mine does not appear to have anything wrong with it, but while the car is off the road for the jobs I am doing, maybe install one.
BTW, I don't have the spare cash to do a complete upgrade for that extra bit of HP, so have to do things one thing at a time (Got to keep the wife happy at the same time).
Parts are not as readly available here as in the States, so I have to take into account overseas shipping. One day it will die and I will need to find a replacement.
So if I do go for a nice preforming MSD, which one should I go for?
And if you recommendation is to keep it, the responces talk about new coil, cap etc, whats the best here too.
Regards Kevin.
"Maybe I'll get something new on the Girl"
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Sorry, but can I add a few more questions? I have a standard 85 Vette, no mods to the engine (yet). Only things I've done so far is to dress it up, lick of paint, new cam chain and Ali cover, some braided hose, Stainless steel piping and a general clean. Have asked about a few other upgrades and told to stick with what I have, which I am doing. But one other thing I was looking at was installing a new distributor, maybe an MSD. Mine does not appear to have anything wrong with it, but while the car is off the road for the jobs I am doing, maybe install one.
BTW, I don't have the spare cash to do a complete upgrade for that extra bit of HP, so have to do things one thing at a time (Got to keep the wife happy at the same time).
Parts are not as readly available here as in the States, so I have to take into account overseas shipping. One day it will die and I will need to find a replacement.
So if I do go for a nice preforming MSD, which one should I go for?
And if you recommendation is to keep it, the responses talk about new coil, cap etc, whats the best here too.
BTW, I don't have the spare cash to do a complete upgrade for that extra bit of HP, so have to do things one thing at a time (Got to keep the wife happy at the same time).
Parts are not as readly available here as in the States, so I have to take into account overseas shipping. One day it will die and I will need to find a replacement.
So if I do go for a nice preforming MSD, which one should I go for?
And if you recommendation is to keep it, the responses talk about new coil, cap etc, whats the best here too.
Some people consider multi-spark add-ons (often made by MSD). They too, are a waste of time.
One thing late 80's Corvette's had that was better than the rest was it's stock distributor system. It had a clean, built-in coil, HEI output, and electronic feedback (from the ECM) to provide more precise feedback of spark. The ESC system also helps with that.
If you have a stock or moderately modified late 1980's Corvette, there's no way you're going to improve on the distributor system.
If you (the general reader) have a 1990's Corvette, you need to look up the multitude of "Opti" threads on the subject.