So… in 2025, what’s the best electronic ignition conversion?

[440 PHIXX]

What’s the newest? What are you guys using recently?

I’ve done a few 70’s type external 5 pin (4 on the later) conversions. And while they work good, it’s a lot of wiring and installation work. Are the HEI kits any good? Thanks!

 

[Don67Satellite]

Progression Ignition if you like tech and ease of timing adjustment. Been using for almost 2 years now I think, and it's great.

 

[440 PHIXX]

Progression Ignition if you like tech and ease of timing adjustment. Been using for almost 2 years now I think, and it's great.

Interesting. I see they even have one for the low deck. I forgot to say it’s for the 383 in my daily. I guess you buy GM HEI plug wires for it?

 

[moparedtn]

An original (but new in box) 1980's Mopar Performance one. The quality was excellent still then.

 

[440 PHIXX]

An original (but new in box) 1980's Mopar Performance one. The quality was excellent still then.

I put one of them in my Charger… back in ‘85. It was all USA made back then. Pretty sure it was Direct Connection though.

 

[Darter6]

One of the easiest would be Pertronix 1. The Avatar photo is of my 65 472 Hemi Belvedere. I used theirs in it and many other cars over 20 years.
Good for 7,000 rpm. Easy 2 wire install. Works for me ! I even used them in my race cars.
You didn't say what the main use of the car is.

 

[Don67Satellite]

Interesting. I see they even have one for the low deck. I forgot to say it’s for the 383 in my daily. I guess you buy GM HEI plug wires for it?

Yes they do. You can use any non-solid core wires that you like. It's "HEI" only in the sense that the electronics are housed inside the cap. But it's not one of those square GM styles, it's a Mopar style small cap distributor. After initial setup you set your timing curve from your phone app. No more twisting the distributor, or changing springs. You can change it on the fly with the engine running. Anyway, that's my suggestion, I really like it.

 

[nitro_rat]

You definitely don't want to run a "big cap" GM HEI on a big block. They don't do well canted at an angle. That's part of the reason Olds and Chevy were the only GM's that made it past the mid-70's when HEI came out across the board. Too many problems with the canted distributors in Buicks and Caddys. And the Chevy inline 6 got a small cap with a divorced coil after a couple years of the big cap.

 

[moparedtn]

I put one of them in my Charger… back in ‘85. It was all USA made back then. Pretty sure it was Direct Connection though.

Same diff.

 

[Runner 68]

Pertronix Flame Thrower, Ignitor 3.
PerTronix D7142700 PerTronix Flame-Thrower Plug and Play Billet Distributors with Ignitor III® Module | Summit Racing

 

[66ChargerHI-PO]

My opinion, although some people might disagree with me is a Rick Ehrenburg hirev 7500 brain and distributior kit, or an original type orange one

 

[1967coronet]

Another vote for pertronix , been useing their conversion for years.

 

[toolmanmike]

Pertronix Flame Thrower, Ignitor 3.
PerTronix D7142700 PerTronix Flame-Thrower Plug and Play Billet Distributors with Ignitor III® Module | Summit Racing

Multispark throughout the rpm range.

 

[Geoff 2]

GM HEI is best bang for the buck when used with an E core coil. GM HEI has adaptive dwell, Mopar ign does not have it. Dwell becomes important when more cyls [ 8 ] have to be fired at higher rpms. That is why dual point dists were invented...but HEI fixed that overnight.
A lot of spark energy is lost with a canister coil, see below.

 

[440 PHIXX]

Pertronix Flame Thrower, Ignitor 3.
PerTronix D7142700 PerTronix Flame-Thrower Plug and Play Billet Distributors with Ignitor III® Module | Summit Racing

That one looks pretty good, although you have to get their coil to go with I’m assuming. Being that it’s just for a daily driver I don’t want to go to crazy on the upgrade. And it’s the only low deck engine I have. I guess you bypass the ballast. I do wish they had a wiring diagram in the description.

 

[icetech]

That one looks pretty good, although you have to get their coil to go with I’m assuming. Being that it’s just for a daily driver I don’t want to go to crazy on the upgrade. And it’s the only low deck engine I have. I guess you bypass the ballast. I do wish they had a wiring diagram in the description.

I have the pertronix ignitor 2 in my car.. the coil was $27... the whole thing was still much less than most options.

 

[440 PHIXX]

The link was to Summit. They have it at $60. But like everything else since 2021, prices have doubled.

 

[icetech]

The link was to Summit. They have it at $60. But like everything else since 2021, prices have doubled.

Still $27

Amazon.com

 

[icetech]

BTW, the ignitor II doesn't need a .6ohm coil (Per the directions) It's literally just a pickup with 2 wires to the coil, just does the job it's made to do with nothing fancy. Keep it simple (although i would like a rev limiter, but i guess my valve springs will do that job)

 

[440 PHIXX]

Still $27

Amazon.com

Thanks! I don’t have an Amazon account but know a few that do. I’ll have to check on the distributor… $427 at Summit.