Electronic distributor conversion kits…. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sport/Truck · 03-04-2008, 09:20 AM

I have a new HEI and thinking of using an electronic conversion for instead.
What are the pros and cons of such a system? Are there reliability issues? Any recommendations to what brand to use or stay away from? I’m looking at the comp brand that summit sells, but I don’t know what’s out there.
s/t

*Billla* · 03-04-2008, 09:49 AM

I've installed a couple of the Pertronix Ignitor (which I have in my C10) and Ignitor II systems both right out of the box and attached to MSD boxes. I'd consider the Ignitor to be a stock replacement system as from what I've seen it offers about the same spark as points and runs out of steam around 5500 RPM. The Ignitor II is better (and WAY easier to install), making a healthy (but about what points and a good aftermarket coil offer) spark up to about 6300 (as far as we took it

) but neither was as healthy as an aftermarket HEI.

The dyno guys I work with LOVE all things MSD and consider anything Accel junk. They base their opinion on poor mechanical quality of the Accel distributors (loose bushings, endplay, etc.) as well as a weaker spark than the MSD. I have not done back-to-back runs, but I trust their judgement as their dyno is going 14 hours day/7 days a week

My $.02

Sport/Truck · 03-04-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billla

I've installed a couple of the Pertronix Ignitor (which I have in my C10) and Ignitor II systems both right out of the box and attached to MSD boxes. I'd consider the Ignitor to be a stock replacement system as from what I've seen it offers about the same spark as points and runs out of steam around 5500 RPM. The Ignitor II is better (and WAY easier to install), making a healthy (but about what points and a good aftermarket coil offer) spark up to about 6300 (as far as we took it

) but neither was as healthy as an aftermarket HEI.

The dyno guys I work with LOVE all things MSD and consider anything Accel junk. They base their opinion on poor mechanical quality of the Accel distributors (loose bushings, endplay, etc.) as well as a weaker spark than the MSD. I have not done back-to-back runs, but I trust their judgement as their dyno is going 14 hours day/7 days a week

My $.02

Aren’t you the bearer of bad news!

So sounds like I should just keep the HEI.
I thought the coil made the difference in spark, and had seen some 45,000 V +.
How can you tell what rpm the motor will be good to? Is this something that needs to be determined on a dyno?
s/t

*Billla* · 03-04-2008, 07:14 PM

Seems my fate to be so sometimes - but in this case isn't it GOOD news as I'm telling you to use what you have?

The coil is part of it in terms of energy level, but keep in mind how it produces the spark - the outer coil collapses, creating a current with the inner coil. The question becomes recovery time for the coil at higher RPM. The packaging for the HEI makes for a more effective recovery time - and so a hot spark all the way through redline. I'm summarizing because I need to get to work, but the bottom line is once again we have a Gift from GM that's effective and cheap - just use it!

03-04-2008, 09:20 AM	#1
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Electronic distributor conversion kits…. I have a new HEI and thinking of using an electronic conversion for instead. What are the pros and cons of such a system? Are there reliability issues? Any recommendations to what brand to use or stay away from? I’m looking at the comp brand that summit sells, but I don’t know what’s out there. s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

03-04-2008, 09:49 AM	#2
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: Electronic distributor conversion kits…. I've installed a couple of the Pertronix Ignitor (which I have in my C10) and Ignitor II systems both right out of the box and attached to MSD boxes. I'd consider the Ignitor to be a stock replacement system as from what I've seen it offers about the same spark as points and runs out of steam around 5500 RPM. The Ignitor II is better (and WAY easier to install), making a healthy (but about what points and a good aftermarket coil offer) spark up to about 6300 (as far as we took it ) but *neither* was as healthy as an aftermarket HEI. The dyno guys I work with LOVE all things MSD and consider anything Accel junk. They base their opinion on poor mechanical quality of the Accel distributors (loose bushings, endplay, etc.) as well as a weaker spark than the MSD. I have not done back-to-back runs, but I trust their judgement as their dyno is going 14 hours day/7 days a week My $.02

03-04-2008, 07:14 PM	#4
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: Electronic distributor conversion kits…. Seems my fate to be so sometimes - but in this case isn't it GOOD news as I'm telling you to use what you have? The coil is part of it in terms of energy level, but keep in mind how it produces the spark - the outer coil collapses, creating a current with the inner coil. The question becomes recovery time for the coil at higher RPM. The packaging for the HEI makes for a more effective recovery time - and so a hot spark all the way through redline. I'm summarizing because I need to get to work, but the bottom line is once again we have a Gift from GM that's effective and cheap - just use it!



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