Pertronix II vs HEI - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Canada20 · 11-12-2002, 05:51 PM

Hey all. I didn't want to subvert Lord Knight's thread about used vs new HEI swaps....

How's the Pertronix setup compare to HEI? I'm not totally sure what the advantages of HEI are other than being electronic and self-contained.

I know Pertronix can work with a lot of other ignition upgrades like MSD boxes so how does HEI compare as far as cost /flexibility goes? Thanks,

Greg

bigvinnie · 11-12-2002, 06:09 PM

I did a mallory unilite conversion (similar to pertronix) on a delco points distributor about 8 years ago and haven't had the ditributor cap off since then... starts quick and runs like a watch...

did an hei swap on another vehicle about 5 years ago and have had similar results...

for my purposes, there has been no real difference between the two, they both work equally well. Cost was roughly the same, and I'm not sure what you mean by flexibility...???

Canada20 · 11-12-2002, 06:24 PM

I mean stuff like adding aftermarket items like higher-voltage coils or MSD units as well as being able to adjust advance curves.

I think the ignitor (Pertronix) would work great in my case because I'm planning on swapping a 454 into my '69 C20 and that might help with the firewall clearance I've heard can cause problems.

Haven't checked out the mallory setup as yet. Would that be worth a look too?

Greg

crazy longhorn · 11-12-2002, 06:26 PM

I have a Pertronix in the kids ranger(clearance issues.....smallblock chevy). I was told by the local speed shop to stay away from the lobe sensor setup, they had some problems. They sold me the flying magnet setup, & it works great.....

cableguy0 · 11-12-2002, 07:46 PM

get yourself a proform hei they are like 160 bucks through jegs and already have all teh goodies in em. the are good up to 7500 rpm unlike stocks heis which die out around 4500 and start dropping spark.they come with a 50,000 volt coil already in em. and at 160 bucks u cant beat the price. i've had mine for like 20,000 miles and a few years and its never had a problem.

mikep · 11-12-2002, 08:55 PM

For $200 through summit racing MSD makes a kit that replaces the coil on the HEI distributor with an adaptor that runs a regular spark plug type wire to an included MSD blaster 2 coil and is fired by an MSD 6A box. The 6A box, trhe coli and the adaptor are all included. Basically it uses the hall effect trigger of the HEI as its signal and uses the HEI cap to distribute spark but thats about it from the HEI.

Ive been a huge fan of MSD capacitive discharge ignitions for years. If my wife ever lets me have any more money I'll be putting one of those setups in my HEI

slam33 · 11-13-2002, 10:43 AM

The Pertronix is great, they have a new one with a exitor chip. If you go HEI I would spend a few extra bucks and get an MSD instead.

67shortie · 11-13-2002, 11:17 AM

Both units will accept aftermarket upgrades. I run a Performance Distributors coil/module/cap/roter on an HEI in my 427 and so far has given me flawless performance for over 10,000 miles.
And I have seen a freckle past 6500 a few time without a hickup.

You will not go wrong with either system.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-13-2002, 11:59 AM

I have used both Petronics and HEI and have been very satisfied with both. I use the Petronics for applications where the need for the original look is important. Clearance has been tight on 4x4's
with HEI but they work, on the two wheel drive, clearance is not a
problem.

Jim

11-12-2002, 05:51 PM	#1
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	Pertronix II vs HEI Hey all. I didn't want to subvert Lord Knight's thread about used vs new HEI swaps.... How's the Pertronix setup compare to HEI? I'm not totally sure what the advantages of HEI are other than being electronic and self-contained. I know Pertronix can work with a lot of other ignition upgrades like MSD boxes so how does HEI compare as far as cost /flexibility goes? Thanks, Greg __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right?

11-12-2002, 06:09 PM	#2
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	I did a mallory unilite conversion (similar to pertronix) on a delco points distributor about 8 years ago and haven't had the ditributor cap off since then... starts quick and runs like a watch... did an hei swap on another vehicle about 5 years ago and have had similar results... for my purposes, there has been no real difference between the two, they both work equally well. Cost was roughly the same, and I'm not sure what you mean by flexibility...??? __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

11-12-2002, 06:24 PM	#3
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	I mean stuff like adding aftermarket items like higher-voltage coils or MSD units as well as being able to adjust advance curves. I think the ignitor (Pertronix) would work great in my case because I'm planning on swapping a 454 into my '69 C20 and that might help with the firewall clearance I've heard can cause problems. Haven't checked out the mallory setup as yet. Would that be worth a look too? Greg __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right? Last edited by Canada20; 11-12-2002 at 06:32 PM.

11-12-2002, 06:26 PM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have a Pertronix in the kids ranger(clearance issues.....smallblock chevy). I was told by the local speed shop to stay away from the lobe sensor setup, they had some problems. They sold me the flying magnet setup, & it works great..... __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-12-2002, 07:46 PM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	get yourself a proform hei they are like 160 bucks through jegs and already have all teh goodies in em. the are good up to 7500 rpm unlike stocks heis which die out around 4500 and start dropping spark.they come with a 50,000 volt coil already in em. and at 160 bucks u cant beat the price. i've had mine for like 20,000 miles and a few years and its never had a problem. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-12-2002, 08:55 PM	#6
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	For $200 through summit racing MSD makes a kit that replaces the coil on the HEI distributor with an adaptor that runs a regular spark plug type wire to an included MSD blaster 2 coil and is fired by an MSD 6A box. The 6A box, trhe coli and the adaptor are all included. Basically it uses the hall effect trigger of the HEI as its signal and uses the HEI cap to distribute spark but thats about it from the HEI. Ive been a huge fan of MSD capacitive discharge ignitions for years. If my wife ever lets me have any more money I'll be putting one of those setups in my HEI __________________ No truck :-(

11-13-2002, 10:43 AM	#7
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	The Pertronix is great, they have a new one with a exitor chip. If you go HEI I would spend a few extra bucks and get an MSD instead. __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

11-13-2002, 11:17 AM	#8
67shortie Green club Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,059	Both units will accept aftermarket upgrades. I run a Performance Distributors coil/module/cap/roter on an HEI in my 427 and so far has given me flawless performance for over 10,000 miles. And I have seen a freckle past 6500 a few time without a hickup. You will not go wrong with either system. __________________ 71 short/fleet ECE 4/6 drop, LQ4/700r4/3.42 gears 70 SS396 Chevelle 427/200-4R/3.73posi 61 Lincoln Continental, black on black Son you are going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop drivin that hot rod lincoln

11-13-2002, 11:59 AM	#9
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I have used both Petronics and HEI and have been very satisfied with both. I use the Petronics for applications where the need for the original look is important. Clearance has been tight on 4x4's with HEI but they work, on the two wheel drive, clearance is not a problem. Jim

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