1968 Charger Electrical questions

So help me understand the system. I have an updated electronic ignigtion, I have an ECU with five wires coming out of it and a ballast resistor. Mounted above the Ballast resistor I have another small silver box that has multiple connectors coming out of it which could be a voltage reulator. I am installing a new painless performance wiring harness and want to make everything right. I have read that with the MSD ready to run distibutor that I can get rid of the ballast resistor? Also do I need an ECU and or Voltage regulator and what do they Do??? I assume the voltage regulator regulates alternator voltage and the ready to run distributor give the extra boost to the blaster coil. So what is the ECU doing???? please help I will get a better picture later this evening when I get home.

I use a one wire alternator from tuff stuff with the regulator built in and was able to ditch the ballast and the oem reg. I also use the msd 6al box for my ecu, without the reg it won't work but you can bypass the ballast just connect the two wires together. Depending on the distrib you use you may have to change the connector from the ecu box to the distrib. which ecu did you get? This is all pending what your set up is?

You are talking about two different components of your car.
1. Charging system - The voltage regulator is for your charging system. If you are going to use your existing alternator, you will also need to use your existing voltage regulator. That will keep it simple. You can also change to a one wire alternator that has a built in regulator. In that case, you can get rid of your external voltage regulator.
2 Ignition system - That's where the ballast resistor comes in. You do not need a ballast resistor with the MSD ready to run distributor.


- - - Updated - - -

I forgot, with the MSD ready to run, you will not use the ECU.

Run 12 volts to the MSD distributor and coil no voltage regulator if you run a new alternator with an internal voltage regulator. Since your not worrying about originality it is best to reduce the total number of parts and one wire alternators are fairly inexpensive.. Your engine harness is going to only have oil pressure, temp sensor, horn relay wire, this is factory wire harness..

ok so if i understand you correctly if i have the one wire alternator and the msd ready to run ignition i don't need to ballast resistor or the ecu or the voltage regulator will try to post the pictures of the alternator and the 3 count em three items on the fire wall. The silver box above the ballast resistor I assume is an unnecessary component some kind of voltage regulator??? I think i have the right alternator and will post pictures.



- - - Updated - - -

i added some photos to make sure we are on the same page let me know what you think of this. I inherited this from the previous owner.

That is correct. With a "ready to run" distributor you not need the ECU and ballast resistor.
With a one wire (internally regulated) alternator, you will not need the external voltage regulator.

The tuff stuff alt I have has the reg built in the back, just make sure the wire from the battery to alt is a larger gauge.