Leaving Mopar and switching to GM.....

[A383Wing]

well, at least for the ignition stand point....GM modules are easy to come by, unlike most of the stock electronic components for Chrysler's electronic ignition.

I will still retain the Mopar electronic distributor, but everything else will be eliminated. Will just need to get a HEI E-core coil to eliminate the ballast resistor also

http://www.designed2drive.com/

 

[Bigal75]

Get an MSD...Why bother doing this?

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Read up on this a bit more first. I was going to go the same route. Here's how it went:

Ordered DUI distributor with built-in control module AND coil. When the thing arrived it measured a full 9-inches taller than a stock distributor!!! It quickly acquired the nickname "the Eiffel Tower". I sent it back for a full refund.

I then bought an HEI module for a '78 Vette like you show above, along with the mounting bracket from Designed to Drive. Looks simple enough. Eliminates the orange or chrome box and ballast. What I wasn't sure about was reliability. I've heard good and bad.

Then I came across Firecore. I had already ordered their spark plug set. Supposed to be top of the line and many FBBO members swear by them. Didn't know they offered GOOD quality distributors in original factory sizing. I ordered one through Mancini and I have that in my motor now, but it's still on the stand and not yet fired. Still requires ballast and control module, but has internal ball bearings and supposed to work great.

Just last week learned that if you order direct from Firecore, they offer what they call a "Ready to Run" distributor. Same exact outer dimensions as their other distributor, but with internal control module. It will take a full 12V so you are supposed to run it with one of the E-coils. Firecore offers their own mini-E coil to go with this, but I already have a new MSD Blaster SS E-coil I bought awhile ago and Firecore says that coil works great too.

I'd get the Firecore Ready 2 Run!
https://www.customwiresets.com/product.php?productid=16287&cat=308&page=1

 

[benno440]

Get an MSD...Why bother doing this?

what he said

 

[A383Wing]

Get an MSD...Why bother doing this?

MSD parts are also not available on every street corner parts store either....I have MSD on the Daytona, it will stay because it doesn't get driven much.

My thought on this is to simplify as much as possible and take off all the extra parts & pieces from the Mopar ignition and eliminate the ECU, ballast, and extra wiring....

 

[Seax440Dodge]

carry spares, they make HEI modules out of sugar glass

 

[Meep-Meep]

Looking at the thread title then seeing who posted it I knew there was a catch! Anyway, HEI is a good system so can't blame you for trying it. In my case I have the Chrysler electronic already wired in so likely won't be swapping it out.

- - - Updated - - -

Read up on this a bit more first. I was going to go the same route. Here's how it went:

Ordered DUI distributor with built-in control module AND coil. When the thing arrived it measured a full 9-inches taller than a stock distributor!!! It quickly acquired the nickname "the Eiffel Tower". I sent it back for a full refund.

I then bought an HEI module for a '78 Vette like you show above, along with the mounting bracket from Designed to Drive. Looks simple enough. Eliminates the orange or chrome box and ballast. What I wasn't sure about was reliability. I've heard good and bad.

Then I came across Firecore. I had already ordered their spark plug set. Supposed to be top of the line and many FBBO members swear by them. Didn't know they offered GOOD quality distributors in original factory sizing. I ordered one through Mancini and I have that in my motor now, but it's still on the stand and not yet fired. Still requires ballast and control module, but has internal ball bearings and supposed to work great.

Just last week learned that if you order direct from Firecore, they offer what they call a "Ready to Run" distributor. Same exact outer dimensions as their other distributor, but with internal control module. It will take a full 12V so you are supposed to run it with one of the E-coils. Firecore offers their own mini-E coil to go with this, but I already have a new MSD Blaster SS E-coil I bought awhile ago and Firecore says that coil works great too.

I'd get the Firecore Ready 2 Run!
https://www.customwiresets.com/product.php?productid=16287&cat=308&page=1

I was impressed with that firecore distributor you got so might look into one for a future build.

 

[dryheat]

I've converted several vehicles to a HEI module ignition with no trouble at all. It was simple, inexpensive and very reliable ... just keep them cool. I always carried a spare module just in case though.

I'll be using the same setup on my 383.

 

[YY1]

I agree it's a good system and parts are cheap and easy.

I've got boxes of Chrysler parts and I pick them up at the JY when ever I see them (usually $25 or less for a dist, brain and harness).

Mopar pioneered electronic ignition. It's a good system as well, so I'm sticking with it.

 

[69redrunner]

Interesting. ..where do you plan on mounting the coil?

 

[Bigal75]

I don't get it...what do you gain from this? I love upgrades and performance but to me this is a horizontal move...either keep an extra ballast in the dash or a GM module??? I've had more HEI modules burn out than any Chrysler ignition issues.

Either way it's your car - please don't take this the wrong way...it's just a discussion. ..;)

 

[A383Wing]

Interesting. ..where do you plan on mounting the coil?

the same place as the stock coil is mounted now

 

[69redrunner]

Will you post some pics when you get it all installed? I'd like to see how it all looks in place.

 

[mopar 3 B]

I have driven my Chrysler electronic ignition vehicles approximately 200000 miles and have only replaced 1 blassit resistor do not know what I have been doing wrong.

 

[YY1]

IIRC, HEI is a somewhat hotter spark, again IIRC 40K versus something like 20K (or was it 60 vs 40?).

 

[A383Wing]

yea, 40k vs 20k in stock form

 

[mopar 3 B]

20, 40 or 60 will only use what is required. How much are you wasting going to 40 or 60 when 20 is only required.

 

[383man]

You can see the orange MP ign box I use between the voltage reg (behind air cleaner) and ballast resister. I bought that orange box in 1999 and it still going strong. I carry and extra orange MP IGN ECU box , ballast resister , coil , dist pick-up and electric fuel pump. My 63 has been on the road since 2006 and has never failed any ign part. I carry all the extra parts but have never used any of them yet so I am happy with my MP ign as when the orange box was on my sons 400 he shifted at 6500 to 6700 and it never missed a beat as on my 63 I shift about 6200 and run in the 10's with that ign and it works flawless.
Anyway not trying to change your mind just telling of the good luck I have had with the Mopar ign. I have heard good things about the HEI ign also so all I can say is Good Luck to you with what ever ign you run. Ron