How much difference does it make? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

O'l Buck · 07-23-2002, 02:38 AM

Has anyone powered HEI with the factory resistance wire that used to feed the coil, then switched over to something like 12 ga wire and ran it from the ign terminal in the fuse box?? Did you notice any power gain?

I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort and the wire to hook it up from the box and do away with the resistance wire.

Blue_71 · 07-23-2002, 03:05 AM

im not positive but i dont think it will even work off the resistor wire, i think it has to have 12 full volts of current at all times

**68 Stepside** · 07-23-2002, 03:17 AM

It'll work Chad, but will run poorly, and there's a risk of fire associated with the small wire. I have a 10 ga. wire running from the "Bat" terminal on the dizzy, to the "IGN Unfused" spot in the fusebox....performs flawlessly.

The only way to go.

TJ

oleblue72 · 07-23-2002, 05:26 AM

I ran mine a couple of days off the old points wire, then ran new wire from the ign wire pink, I think? Did not notice any difference. But strong 12V is best.

Blazer1970 · 07-23-2002, 07:45 AM

My Blazer was wired through the resistor wire when I got it, and I ran it that way for a long time. When I finally eliminated the resistance, I didn't notice any difference. I also just parted out a '73 K20 (got it free!) that also had an HEI with the resistor wire still there. It ran fine also. I think the only problem with having the resistor there would be at high RPM. If the power that is generated from a fan motor spinning down is enough to keep one running, a little resistance in the line isn't going to make a lot of difference.

crazy longhorn · 07-23-2002, 09:38 AM

If you are running a fairly stock combo,with lean carburation, you probably wont notice a big difference .........till you crank the revs up past 4500. The resistor wire cuts the voltage to the coil down to about 9volts when running,& the HEI will run like that , but wont put out full power. I ran on the old resistor wire,then switched to the Ign unfused to power the HEI. The first time I pulled a shift @ 6000 rpms, I noticed a difference........she ripped the hides loose, & turned the tach to 6500! My bet is it will help with milage also.........hard to tell with the gears,& converter Im running tho

Longhorn Man · 07-23-2002, 06:04 PM

my gmc was wired improperly when I got it...noticed a slight improvement, but it may have all been in my head though. I was too scared to wind that old 400 to the stratosphere...it was kinda sick.

**68SWB4x4** · 07-23-2002, 06:48 PM

my 70 had the resistor wire when i got it, than when i changed out to a 10 gauge wire i could feel a slgith improvment, but it just ran alot better..... started up easier when cold etc...... its worth the 5 minutes it takes

O'l Buck · 07-23-2002, 09:33 PM

Thanks guys, I guess I'll pick up some 10ga wire tonight and rewire the animal....not that it ever sees 6000 rpm....that would be pretty scary in a K-10 with 3.08 gears....lol

Longhorn Man · 07-23-2002, 09:35 PM

It wouldn't be too scarey in low range!

07-23-2002, 02:38 AM	#1
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	How much difference does it make? Has anyone powered HEI with the factory resistance wire that used to feed the coil, then switched over to something like 12 ga wire and ran it from the ign terminal in the fuse box?? Did you notice any power gain? I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort and the wire to hook it up from the box and do away with the resistance wire. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

07-23-2002, 03:17 AM	#3
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	It'll work Chad, but will run poorly, and there's a risk of fire associated with the small wire. I have a 10 ga. wire running from the "Bat" terminal on the dizzy, to the "IGN Unfused" spot in the fusebox....performs flawlessly. The only way to go. TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

07-23-2002, 05:26 AM	#4
oleblue72 No, U Da Man! Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southaven, MS Posts: 284	I ran mine a couple of days off the old points wire, then ran new wire from the ign wire pink, I think? Did not notice any difference. But strong 12V is best. __________________ (sold ole blue 1972) 1997 Dodge 1500 5.9L 1996 Saturn SL2 1.9L 2002 Mitsubishi Montero 3.0L 2005 Ford Escape 3.0L *1967 Olds Vista Cruiser 330-320HP*

07-23-2002, 07:45 AM	#5
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	My Blazer was wired through the resistor wire when I got it, and I ran it that way for a long time. When I finally eliminated the resistance, I didn't notice any difference. I also just parted out a '73 K20 (got it free!) that also had an HEI with the resistor wire still there. It ran fine also. I think the only problem with having the resistor there would be at high RPM. If the power that is generated from a fan motor spinning down is enough to keep one running, a little resistance in the line isn't going to make a lot of difference. __________________ Tim

07-23-2002, 06:48 PM	#8
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	my 70 had the resistor wire when i got it, than when i changed out to a 10 gauge wire i could feel a slgith improvment, but it just ran alot better..... started up easier when cold etc...... its worth the 5 minutes it takes __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

07-23-2002, 09:38 AM	#6
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	If you are running a fairly stock combo,with lean carburation, you probably wont notice a big difference .........till you crank the revs up past 4500. The resistor wire cuts the voltage to the coil down to about 9volts when running,& the HEI will run like that , but wont put out full power. I ran on the old resistor wire,then switched to the Ign unfused to power the HEI. The first time I pulled a shift @ 6000 rpms, I noticed a difference........she ripped the hides loose, & turned the tach to 6500! My bet is it will help with milage also.........hard to tell with the gears,& converter Im running tho

07-23-2002, 06:04 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	my gmc was wired improperly when I got it...noticed a slight improvement, but it may have all been in my head though. I was too scared to wind that old 400 to the stratosphere...it was kinda sick.

07-23-2002, 09:33 PM	#9
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	Thanks guys, I guess I'll pick up some 10ga wire tonight and rewire the animal....not that it ever sees 6000 rpm....that would be pretty scary in a K-10 with 3.08 gears....lol __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

07-23-2002, 09:35 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	It wouldn't be too scarey in low range!

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