• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Orange box breaking up?

Tony 69

Tony 69

Well-Known Member
Local time
6:48 AM
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
157
Reaction score
103
Location
North Carolina
Hi everybody. Quick question. Will the orange box just die or can it break up under hard acceleration? I suspect a coil but this happened last weekend and it was pretty hot out and we were running hard. I’m asking because this has never happened before and I have a new coil. Thanks!
 
I've had both occur in my stock orange box days. Should start looking for a different ignition setup if you will spend a lot of time over 5000 rpm.
 
I'm not sure about the coil. But I had an orange box start to break up at about 2500 rpm's. Drove me nuts for a while. Changed the box only to still have the same problem. Found out I had a box ecu right out of the box. Had to put another one one. Then it worked perfectly.
 
Tony 69 said:
Hi everybody. Quick question. Will the orange box just die or can it break up under hard acceleration? I suspect a coil but this happened last weekend and it was pretty hot out and we were running hard. I’m asking because this has never happened before and I have a new coil. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Why not just install the new coil.....assuming it's compatible with the ballast resistor AND ECU. The ORANGE ECU has an internal dwell determining circuit and the external switching transistor has current limiting capabilities.....so NO ACCELL SUPER COILS......just the original MOPAR coil....just my opinion of course.....
BOB RENTON
 
Don Frelier said:
They go over 5,000 ( when working properly)
Click to expand...
The chrome box used to be good for 6K or more the original orange boxes were rated for 5K, but would go more. Most of our stock old big blocks had a 5K redline. Today's stroker engines and heavily modified engines need an upgrade to the ignition system anyway. Per your use, you should adjust accordingly.
 
The original electronic ignition kit I got when I converted my car from a 318 to a 440 was a Mopar Performance kit from Summit Racing. It had the orange box. I ran that 440 to 6000 a few times and never noticed any misfiring. This was the early 2000s though when they may have still been made in America.
 
Yep the good Mopar Performance orange boxes are just a memory now, just like the rev n nator and the MP chrome box. Sorry state of affairs really. I have an old chrome box as backup for my rev n nator they are both awesome 6000+ but the rev n nator has the built in rev limiter so I run it most of the time. Can't get either new anymore so have to try FBO or MSD setups if you can't find the old stuff used.
 
Tony 69 said:
Hi everybody. Quick question. Will the orange box just die or can it break up under hard acceleration? I suspect a coil but this happened last weekend and it was pretty hot out and we were running hard. I’m asking because this has never happened before and I have a new coil. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Like mentioned

What coil are you running , brand and Ohm rating and what Ohm Ballast Resistor are you using

Orange box - So many variations over the years as of late
 
A good old orange box will go to 8200. Not sure beyond that.
 
Bee1971 said:
Like mentioned

What coil are you running , brand and Ohm rating and what Ohm Ballast Resistor are you using

Orange box - So many variations over the years as of late
Click to expand...
I need to remeasure all of that this weekend. I know it’s an accel super stock which was mentioned as incorrect.
 
Tony 69 said:
I need to remeasure all of that this weekend. I know it’s an accel super stock which was mentioned as incorrect.
Click to expand...
I ran an accel Super Coil with an orange box for many years. They were both new in the 80s. Never a problem, good to over 6k.
Still using the same coil with an MSD box.
 
It always amazes me how a percentage has had great luck using low ohm ignition coils like a MSD Blaster or the Accel Super Coil designed for CDI type ignition systems , while others have had zero luck or multiple failures using these CDI type ignition coils

I would bet the use of a ballast resistor ohm rating or NOT Using a ballast resistor would definitely factor into this along with the quality of these older Made In The USA Ignition Modules versus today

Broken Record
It is what it is
 
Last edited:
padam said:
I ran an accel Super Coil with an orange box for many years. They were both new in the 80s. Never a problem, good to over 6k.
Still using the same coil with an MSD box.
Click to expand...
I guess the D.F.L. factor applies but it's now 2024 and things have changed....that was then when components were USA built...not now.....
BOB RENTON
 
I’ll take luck and keep my foot on the gas.
You can keep your theories.
 
padam said:
I’ll take luck and keep my foot on the gas.
You can keep your theories.
Click to expand...
My old Prestolite dual point distributor (recurved), Mopar Essex coil, and 0.5 ohm Mopar ballast resistor will run up to 6500 RPM, start every time, produce ~ 30Kv spark voltage (measured with an o'scope + spark waveform).and most importantly NEVER left me stranded along the road....personally I like the old stuff...and it correct for the GTX RS23V0A****** and is correct in appearance......whatever floats YOUR boat...is great
BOB RENTON
 
If it is a new orange box it probably will not work well in the heat, the transistor on the front is fake and just done with internal circuitry.
If it is a older box the ground could be a problem, best to run a ground off mounting bolt to battery.
 
These days, if you insist on the Mopar-style electronic ignition the unit from FBO can't be beat....and it has an adjustable rev limiter which is nice for those of us with solid cams and good valvetrains!
That said, I keep an old known-good MP chrome ECU in the trunk just in case:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Tony 69
Low voltage to coil
Replies
14
Views
546
RJRENTON
RJRENTON
M
1970 roadrunner stalling
Replies
6
Views
873
Sinitro
Sinitro
N
'63 Fury /6- Baffling no start after basic tune up.
Replies
17
Views
952
khryslerkid
khryslerkid
Kern Dog
Are you ready for a real weird one? Random NO spark from a MP electronic ignition system despite numerous parts swapped around...
9 10 11
Replies
210
Views
8K
RJRENTON
RJRENTON
S
Rev-n-Nator x 2 pin resistor
Replies
4
Views
784
SMack
S
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top