90TorqueMonster

So I may be looking into a distributor for my (90)L98.

I have the stock ACdelco in there now, but just wanted to see if there are ways to save money with moderate output of a new one.

Should I just replace the coil or get a different HEI distributor?

Are there distributors that give out "harder sparks" in certain RPM's?

MSD and DUI seem to be the most popular for distributors, as far as what I read.

With my vette being over 20 years old, is it a good idea to have a performance distributor?

Thank you again guys

69427

Is there anything actually wrong with your present distributor?

90TorqueMonster

Can't really say, just seems old. No problems with spark though.

cumbercr

I have a DUI. But honestly if there's nothing wrong with the stock distributor a new one isn't going to give any better performance. In my opinion, the higher output coils from DUI really don't make any difference over stock. You may be able to run a little larger spark plug gap.

vetteoz

DUI is the only source of a coil in cap OEM style HEI Vette dist
MSD and others only make a " small cap " F-Body style dist which requires mounting the remote coil somewhere

90TorqueMonster

Thanks guys I just figured over a period of time, wear and tear.

leesvet

A local performance/speed shop had new small cap dist for sale, complete, ready to drop in for $80 a few months ago. The only real reason to change one is when the original fails from bad bushings or a damaged drive gear.. If its ok there is little point in rushing to the distributor store.

90TorqueMonster

May get a good set of bf goodrich drag radials, then n kick my sumitomo's

Churchkey

You can run OEM style spark plugs with cut back ground electrodes for a better flame front due to better spark exposure.

WW7

And guess what?..DUI uses the exact same distributor that's in you car from the factory, a "Delco Remy"..I have a DUI in my 89 now so I know what Im talking about. The only thing Davis Unified Ignition does is put there own cap, coil and Icm on the distributor to make it there own..If you want a new distributor go to Advance auto, buy a Delco Remy rebuilt distributor housing for $35.00 , put your own Accel Cap, Accel Coil, and Accel ICM on the thing and you have a high performance distributor for just over half the money DUI wants for theirs...WW

68post

Two of the "tricks" that are supposed to make a slight - but noticable differance are (the 1st was just mentioned here) ; 1st - opening up your plug gap to .060, which accomplishing this by cutting back the electrode would be the better way, and 2nd - wiring the distributor off of a lead of the alternator for a direct 14V ( there is a slick diagram of this on one of the magazine tech boards written by a member of The Brotherhood of Street Racers).

There is positive mention of the wider plug gap in Grumpy Jenkins book.

If you distributor is high mileage check for excessive wear 'n play.

GREGGPENN

The high-energy ignitions in our C4 isn't one of the things really needing an upgrade. As mentioned, go to Advanced, O'Reilly's, etc...and pickup a rebuilt -- if you need one. (Or you can put a new bushing/gear/module) in your existing unit.

Aftermarket doesn't "have anything on" the OEM units.

cv67

If you need a humungo spark to get a stock car to run there are problems elsewhere.

You know theres 0 power gain from a points dist to electronic? whats that tell you?

90TorqueMonster

I just figured a harder hitting spark would give the engine a better feeling. it is 20 years old. Well ill look into the coils by ACCEL and a better cap.

Thanks guyss

cv67

You dont want too hot a spark or too wide a gap.

Just enough to light some vapors off doesnt take much.

ex-x-fire

I'd look more at getting the injectors cleaned before messing around w/ the distributor.

mtnmanut

to a point(no pun intended)the advantage of electronic ignitions over the old points is obvious. elec. ign. eliminates point bounce to give a more constant spark to all cylinders at higher rpm,above 4500.the other is you maintain a constant dwell,points wear out. unless the shaft bushing in your dist are worn leave it alone.i've used an oem hei to 8000 and no problems.

90TorqueMonster

So a distributor that's 20 years old should have no problems?

jt351

Correct distributors don't have to many problems, its not a optispark, coils can go bad, caps go bad etc but are all serviceable, if it doesn't miss nothing will be gained.

Churchkey

Respectfully disagree.

Been some time since factory point systems were used. 12v point systems need a ballast resistor between the ignition feed & coil or a resistance coil in order to keep the points from burning up. The ballast resistor or resistor coil knocked coil operating voltage down to approximately 7V = weaker spark than an electronic distributor which allows the coil to operate @ charging system voltage +/- 14v.