Blake350 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Hey guys I have a generic 'remanufactured' HEI distributor for about 8 years-of unknown quality-the car has been cutting out now and then-rpm drops to zero then pops rite back up ,or it stalls. Thinking maybe pickup coil is breaking down or something-no expert on exactly how HEI system works Anyway,looking at the MSD streetfire #8362 at $133 (jeggs) or the GM performance unit at $147 (jeggs 141-682) The engine is a 350 with a mild comp cam from at least 8 to 10 years ago. It is a sunday street cruiser-all of its life is under 2500 rpms with hiway cruising at 3400 rpms...thats it. Run about 2000 miles a year or so. In reviewing our engine tech forum pls help with the following- a) given the usage,would either of these units be adequate or more than adequate? Dont think I need to go into the $350 or up range unless you guys think so- can go up a bit but not if it wont matter for performance or reliability given the usage b)like that both have adjustable vacc advance-thinking that should be more than enough tuning flexilbility as I dont have any adjustment with whatever is in there now c)is there any concern with gear compatability-again a 10 year old comp cam flat tappet unit-the MSD has same gear ar the pro-billet family("proven metallurgy under the harshest conditions")as the ad reads. The GM unit has a melonized gear-wondering if either posesses a problem with this existing cam. I am leaning to tha MSD unit but wont make a purchase until I get you guys opinions thanks! Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72MC Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Those are good units for your application. I would also recommend a Pertronix Flame Thrower HEI unit. I have one on my El Camino, seems to be a reliable "better than stock" unit. One part number is PNX-D1050. They are about 100 bucks more but there reputation is good. - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 57 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 The Pertronix unit resembles a factory unit if that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake350 Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Hey Dave thanks I looked at the 1050 and 1000 pertronix units after your reply-couldn't find the differences between them, but they too look good. Mike, I dont need the 'small cap' OEM look- the regular HEI style is just fine if thats what your referring to. My thoughts out loud on the gear-In an ideal world you start with a new cam and a new dist-both gears to factory drawings,and they 'wear in' together wonderfully. But now with a well worn cam gear and a new dist gear is the MSD,GM,or Pertronix better or worse for any reason? I'm thinking with this application any of these units would be better than the unknown 'smog' unit in there now and could probably sleep on the job-but if anyone else has used one or the other with very good or very bad results(Dave I know you have the 1050 and you put out some performance, I'm sure- so the extra 100 bucks might be worth it for me as well) it would be good to know ahead of time. thanks!! Brian (the reason I looked at the MSD streetfire is the brass contacts,overall perceived quality and that almost all the big HP engines out there i see have MSD equipment of some sort or another handling the spark) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 My 72 has a stock GM HEI with most of teh inards removed and an MSD box on the side. No problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72MC Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Brian, unless that 10 year old cam is a billet unit or some other "exotic" metal, you'll be fine with the iron dist gear that will come with the HEI unit. Or, Look at the old HEI gear when you pull it and if it looks good swap it out with the new gear and save the new gear. Or, If you still have the cam card, call Comp and see what gear material they would recommend. I doubt they will recommend brass, carbon fiber, or carbon poly. Steel or iron are most likely what they will recommend. - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake350 Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Leghome ,given my application resembling a little old lady (you know the type-doctor on Wed,church on Sun-now if i could only find one with an all original 70 MC,lol)-I probably dont need to go that far!! But after seeing Dave's reccommendation, I ordered a Pertronix flamethrower HEI unit. I read that MSD calls the streetfire the first entry into the 'economy' market-with some parts being produced 'offshore' with "periodic" inspection of quality-and if you want true MSD qualiy,all built in Texas,go with the pro-billet or other higher product-not giving me that warm feeling all over... Seems the Flamethrower has 6 models-three cap colors with a cast finish,three cap colors with a polished finish-seems all the bushings,gears and coil/modules are the same?? So we'll see what happens.. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Go distributorless! I just did with my Monte and never looked back! Megajolt Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedfreak71 Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 You made the right decision and did a good job doing your homework. You won't regret it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake350 Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share Posted May 15, 2012 I went with the D1000 Peretronix flamethrower assy- got it in last thurs-went for a 60 mile run on Sunday(80 degrees and sunny-mmmm) and immediately noticed a substantial increase in power-I also ran a 12 guage lead to the distributor-they had a 20 guage thread in there-that voltage drop when the module fires along with either an intermittent module and/or pickup coil must have caused all sorts of trouble-a strong steady spark makes all the difference!! (taking a ride in a car that cuts out at any time is to me like going on a long plane trip with a case of stomach cramps-you just don't know and can't relax and enjoy the ride)I still have to tweak the adjustable vacc adv(another nice feature over my tired unknown smog unit),but I feel much better rite about now... (I know most of you build engines in your sleep,but I havn't pulled a distributor since 1979,am kinda happy how it worked out and since no one on the street wanted to hear about it,you guys are it...) thanks brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiham Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Congrat Brian. Hope it continues to provide a relaxing ride for many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72MC Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hey Brian, glad my advice worked out great for ya. I forgot about the adjustable vacuum can. That is a nice option, IMHO. It's dead on accurate the way the instructions show you how to dial it in. - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Been doing some distributor investigation myself & thought this would be the proper place to post. I sent an email to DUI after reading there AD in Supper Chevy mag. Here is their response........ 4 REASONS YOU SHOULD DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE D.U.I.-DAVIS UNIFIED IGNITION: 1) Each distributor is actually spun on a distributor machine with a super smooth advance curve. Buying an uncurved distributor is like buying an unground camshaft! A smooth curve insures maximum power and mileage, while eliminating engine damaging detonation. 2) The D.U.I. produces a longer duration spark which allows you to open up your plug gaps to a whopping .055”! Our Dyna-Module and 50,000 Volt D.U.I. Coil work together to give your engine the ultimate spark. A wider gap and a hotter spark leads to more complete combustion. NO add-on spark box is needed! 3) Every D.U.I. is hand-built-not mass produced. Each D.U.I. is individually prepped. Housings are polished and lubed appropriately. Shaft plates are welded for durability. Gears are wire brushed and end-play is adjusted with a feeler gauge. 4) Performance Distributors was the first company to build a performance H.E.I. distributor. In fact, ignition and other electrical related products is all we do! We don’t get into carburetors, rocker arms, or valve covers. Because we are an “ignition” specialist only, Performance Distributors gives you the best possible performance ignition system available anywhere! Thank-you, Performance Distributors(Home of the D.U.I.) 2699 Barris Dr. Memphis, TN 38132 (901)396-5782 www.PerformanceDistributors.com -----Original Message----- From: Murray Rehder <murrayrehder@cox.net> To: info <info@performancedistributors.com> Sent: Sat, May 19, 2012 1:19 pm Subject: SBC 350 Distributor Saw your ad in Super Chevy, then immediately hit the website. Great info! I’m restoring/customizing a 71 Monte Carlo, equipped with a SBC350, TH350, and AC. Good clean car as it has been in storage for 10 yrs. Prior to storage the motor was overhauled and bored to .030 over and the heads were replaced with stock GM heads which are part #333883. Everything else is bone stock. I’m looking to install a set of Patriot clipster midlength headers (ceramic coated of course) and then onto a new HEI distributor setup. I’ve looked over all the JEG’s and Summit offerings, which there are plenty to choose from (almost too confusing) but I’m Impressed with the details you offer on your products. Since the stock setup is original points-style distributor, I’m sure almost any HEI replacement will do wonders. Your part #12720 would be the logical choice. I see HEI distributors from White Performance at $40, Pertronix at $200, Accel at $125 and MSD at $135………..why should I go with DUI at $280?? Are they really that good? Murray Rehder Chandler Arizona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanabba Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I have a DUI HEI that is on its 3rd engine (SB 400 and 2 BB 454's). The 400 just got worn out and the 454's were swapped for different combinations. All told it has over 100k miles and still going strong. Very good product and good service. The only gripe I have is that their BB plug wires don't come in 135 degree boots. David P.S. just before I hit the send button I remembered I did have to change a module at around 80 to 90k miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Brian....whats the volts of the coil in that Pertronix unit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Auto Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 I don't think DUI's ad copy is really up to date,lol, but I still get those things in from time to time that have been in customers cars for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake350 Posted May 28, 2012 Author Share Posted May 28, 2012 Hi Murphy sorry for delay...I dont recall seeing an actual secondary voltage stated-but they claim a hotter spark and performance and reliability exceeding OEM when the flamethrower coil and module are used together-I hope someone in the know fills us in...I went with the Pertrx unit because it looked like a good compromise between ultra hi- and ultra low end of the market,combined with the company's long history and mainly because many members who only use what is best for their engines have used Pertronix products with success. Finally,I did see an immediate increase in power and stability over the old unknown unit. Also, I read that 2 coils are comonly use in the HEI-mine has the yellow lead,others have a white lead(the red and black supply leads being the same) anyone know the performance difference between both? It seems one of the most important things is the 12v supply to the system-a 12 guage wire (14 absolute min) for std applications,with an AWG10 for performance.I had a 20 guage twig in there-not good since even tho the HEI does not draw high average current,it does do instantaniously when firing-who knew? its great to learn whats going on and not just 'change parts'!! Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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