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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: houston texas
Posts: 84
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HEI with and without separate CDI box?
Other than price, what are pros/cons/options of using standard GM (or aftermarket clone) HEI distributor vs. separate coil hookup vs. full CDI multispark box. We are NOT looking to race. (1993 350 with vortec heads, moderate cam). Summit? Mallory? MSD? Accel?
Does anyone know if the larger sized standard (larger diameter) HEI will fit or how high it sticks up out of the manifold? (we rebuilt the engine and it didn't have the ignition). Thanks! Mark
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Mark 57 Austin Healey 3000 (sold many moons ago, unfortunately) 67 C10 (in progress, son's) w/ 1993 350 SBC, '96 Vortec heads (custom polished ports), EPS Performer intake, Holley carb, cam, MSD ignition 93 C4 Corvette (mostly done, son's) |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,907
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
I have a stock GM HEI in mine. It's a little tight, but it will fit.
As far as advantages, it's extremely dependable and durable, better starting, and installation couldn't be simpler. Just remember you need to run 12v to the HEI coil; don't use the resistor wire from your points ignition. |
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#3 |
1969 Custom 30 wrecker
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Pottsville, Pa
Posts: 2,611
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
And carry a spare module and the tools to install in the glove box. When they go, they don't care where you are at.
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Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10 |
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#4 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tucson
Posts: 2,183
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: houston texas
Posts: 84
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
Any pics or guestimate of clearance between distributor cap and firewall?
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Mark 57 Austin Healey 3000 (sold many moons ago, unfortunately) 67 C10 (in progress, son's) w/ 1993 350 SBC, '96 Vortec heads (custom polished ports), EPS Performer intake, Holley carb, cam, MSD ignition 93 C4 Corvette (mostly done, son's) |
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#6 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
They fall right in with a lot of clearance from the firewall. Unless you have the motor mounts in the wrong spot during an engine swap.
If you're not racing, or have a high HP engine. Then a stock HEI without any boxes or fancy stuff will be just fine. Just make sure you have a dedicated 12v wire going to the distributor. I have an MSD Pro Billet HEI... which has all the CD stuff in the module and also has a rev limiter too. All under the cap. Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: houston texas
Posts: 84
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
Nice! Do you recall which model MSD that is? We probably don't have quite that much room...we used the "old" engine mount locations (original 6 cylinder) which pushes the V8 back and inch or two compared to what the original V8 location was, as we understand it.
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Mark 57 Austin Healey 3000 (sold many moons ago, unfortunately) 67 C10 (in progress, son's) w/ 1993 350 SBC, '96 Vortec heads (custom polished ports), EPS Performer intake, Holley carb, cam, MSD ignition 93 C4 Corvette (mostly done, son's) |
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#8 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tucson
Posts: 2,183
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
Here is a photo of a VERY long big block running the GMPP HEI dizzy. There is about two inches between the Distributor cap and the firewall. If this fits I know yours will:
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: houston texas
Posts: 84
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
Wow...that is a spectacular setup! Congratulations.
With the old/wrong mounting for our V8, we don't have this much room. The "stock" distributor (that we found in a box of parts...EFI style...5" diameter, 7" tall) fits, but without much extra room. The "replacement" MSD styles except one are about the same diameter but are taller...which makes them questionable but possible...a local OReillys will have one in the morning we can try. We found one other MSD one that is adjustable and smaller, but of course that one would require an extra $200 for the ignition box. It's always something! Thanks to all. Mark
__________________
Mark 57 Austin Healey 3000 (sold many moons ago, unfortunately) 67 C10 (in progress, son's) w/ 1993 350 SBC, '96 Vortec heads (custom polished ports), EPS Performer intake, Holley carb, cam, MSD ignition 93 C4 Corvette (mostly done, son's) |
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#10 |
optomistic ah-so
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 544
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Re: HEI with and without separate CDI box?
When you put that 93 engine together, did you re-use a factory hydraulic roller cam? If so, you'll want to get a melonized gear to install on the distributor you do finally use--no matter what variant ends up fitting to your satisfaction. If it's using a hydraulic flat tappet instead, you won't have to change anything.
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Rubbing is Racin' Ribbing is Bench Racin' 1970 C-10 lwb Fleetside. Originally 350 2-bbl 3-on-the-tree, m/b, m/w, m/s no a/c. Currently running on a '76 Camaro 305. ![]() |
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Tags |
1993, 350, 5.7, ignition, sbc |
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