HEI worht it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pissonNOS · 07-10-2003, 12:38 AM

my co worker is trying to convince me to put HEI in my truck does it make a whole bunch of difference as far as performance goes?
he said he can geta used HEI and a set of wires for 75$ ????
sound liek a good deal?

ckenwright · 07-10-2003, 12:43 AM

HEI's are awesome, but if it is stock I would try to get it for 50.

pissonNOS · 07-10-2003, 12:45 AM

who makes a good brand aftermarket set up i was thing the whole msd pacakge bax wires Hei for i think 149 american so about 210 canadian

wHATANERD · 07-10-2003, 01:17 AM

I bought an Accel Hei from Jegs for $150, definetly worth the money.

GMC Jim · 07-10-2003, 02:58 AM

... installed an HEI unit in my '71 GMC ( 402 BB engine) in 1995....As I have stated on several prior posts, I defintley suggest for optimum performance; that you have a distributor shop set the advance curves for your engine....There is a wide difference in the advance curves among the various GM engines that used the HEI units. In fact , if the advance curves vary widely from the engine that the HEI was originally in compared to the engine you will be installing; the performance can be worsened!!
Also check the vacumm advance for proper specs and operation.... Suggest installing a new set of spark plugs wires specific to the highere voltages of HEI units and gap the spark plugs to .045

Big69C20 Toy · 07-10-2003, 03:42 AM

Definately worth it... better spark equals better flame equals better power and cleaner burning.. more efficiency for the most part.
an Accell or an MSD hei would be more than fine for most performance apps.

if youre REAL serious look into the 6 series or higher (really crazy stuff) for major spark. i've got a MSD 6BTM and the sucker arc'ed me from a burnt plug wire... burt a hole in my thumb.. that sucked. ... but one heck of a sparker

Lippyp · 07-10-2003, 04:39 AM

I have a standard GM HEI distributor on my desk that I picked up at the weekend for the equivalent of $65 at a show. I'm gonna freshen it up with a new cap and rotor (oh and leads) and drop it straight in to replace the PITA to set up Mallory twin pointer in there now. Came out of a late 70's Camaro with a 350 so should be spot on. For $75 you'll be a set of wires up on me cos there going to cost me anothe $50 or so for a good set.

Tx Firefighter · 07-10-2003, 08:43 AM

The real advantage of HEI is absolute slam the hood and forget it reliability. As long as your unit has a good quality module, cap, rotor, and coil, there is no maintenance involved.

Year after year, the HEI will start and run well everytime. Try that with points and condensor. I hate messing with points.

HEI and forget it!

**Stocker** · 07-10-2003, 08:57 AM

Tx Firefighter said just about what I would say. I converted to HEI (used, dunno what from) many years ago because the points were a PITA. It hasn't been touched in years. Guess I oughta check the cap & rotor one of these days!

lukecp · 07-10-2003, 09:49 AM

I have a used HEI i can let go for $25 US funds, plus shipping. It is intact with a coil and module, but the cap is cracked really bad. I tested it , and it shot sparks everywhere. I wouldn't hesistate to give it a new cap and rotor and stab it into your motor. Also, it dosen't have a vaccum advance on it, i pulled it out of an old schoolbus. You can just buy a new vaccum advance though, it will attach with 3 screws and only take about 5 minutes to put in.

I agree, HEI kicks a$$! I've had mine for almost 3 years and 25k miles, and haven't had to mess with it besides changing the cap and rotor. Infact, it is just about the only thing in my truck that i haven't had to mess with (now that i say that, it will fry tomorrow, lol).

Longhorn Man · 07-10-2003, 11:53 PM

HEi is worth the money. Call around your local unk yards...I can get them for 10 bucks each all day long. The problem with that is every one in town knows it so they never have any in stock anymore...just the computer controlled crap.

07-10-2003, 12:38 AM	#1
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	HEI worht it? my co worker is trying to convince me to put HEI in my truck does it make a whole bunch of difference as far as performance goes? he said he can geta used HEI and a set of wires for 75$ ???? sound liek a good deal? __________________ 69 GMC bagged

07-10-2003, 12:45 AM	#3
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	who makes a good brand aftermarket set up i was thing the whole msd pacakge bax wires Hei for i think 149 american so about 210 canadian __________________ 69 GMC bagged

07-10-2003, 01:17 AM	#4
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	I bought an Accel Hei from Jegs for $150, definetly worth the money. __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

07-10-2003, 02:58 AM	#5
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	... installed an HEI unit in my '71 GMC ( 402 BB engine) in 1995....As I have stated on several prior posts, I defintley suggest for optimum performance; that you have a distributor shop set the advance curves for your engine....There is a wide difference in the advance curves among the various GM engines that used the HEI units. In fact , if the advance curves vary widely from the engine that the HEI was originally in compared to the engine you will be installing; the performance can be worsened!! Also check the vacumm advance for proper specs and operation.... Suggest installing a new set of spark plugs wires specific to the highere voltages of HEI units and gap the spark plugs to .045 __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

07-10-2003, 03:42 AM	#6
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	Definately worth it... better spark equals better flame equals better power and cleaner burning.. more efficiency for the most part. an Accell or an MSD hei would be more than fine for most performance apps. if youre REAL serious look into the 6 series or higher (really crazy stuff) for major spark. i've got a MSD 6BTM and the sucker arc'ed me from a burnt plug wire... burt a hole in my thumb.. that sucked. ... but one heck of a sparker __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

07-10-2003, 12:43 AM	#2
ckenwright Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 104	HEI's are awesome, but if it is stock I would try to get it for 50.

07-10-2003, 04:39 AM	#7
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	I have a standard GM HEI distributor on my desk that I picked up at the weekend for the equivalent of $65 at a show. I'm gonna freshen it up with a new cap and rotor (oh and leads) and drop it straight in to replace the PITA to set up Mallory twin pointer in there now. Came out of a late 70's Camaro with a 350 so should be spot on. For $75 you'll be a set of wires up on me cos there going to cost me anothe $50 or so for a good set. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

07-10-2003, 08:43 AM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The real advantage of HEI... The real advantage of HEI is absolute slam the hood and forget it reliability. As long as your unit has a good quality module, cap, rotor, and coil, there is no maintenance involved. Year after year, the HEI will start and run well everytime. Try that with points and condensor. I hate messing with points. HEI and forget it!

07-10-2003, 08:57 AM	#9
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,665	Points bad - HEI good! Tx Firefighter said just about what I would say. I converted to HEI (used, dunno what from) many years ago because the points were a PITA. It hasn't been touched in years. Guess I oughta check the cap & rotor one of these days! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-10-2003, 09:49 AM	#10
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I have a used HEI i can let go for $25 US funds, plus shipping. It is intact with a coil and module, but the cap is cracked really bad. I tested it , and it shot sparks everywhere. I wouldn't hesistate to give it a new cap and rotor and stab it into your motor. Also, it dosen't have a vaccum advance on it, i pulled it out of an old schoolbus. You can just buy a new vaccum advance though, it will attach with 3 screws and only take about 5 minutes to put in. I agree, HEI kicks a$$! I've had mine for almost 3 years and 25k miles, and haven't had to mess with it besides changing the cap and rotor. Infact, it is just about the only thing in my truck that i haven't had to mess with (now that i say that, it will fry tomorrow, lol). __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-10-2003, 11:53 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	HEi is worth the money. Call around your local unk yards...I can get them for 10 bucks each all day long. The problem with that is every one in town knows it so they never have any in stock anymore...just the computer controlled crap.



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