Why do you want to "upgrade" anyway? the DSII (blue grommet module) is more than adequate for a stock application, has been for over 35 years, you'll see no performance gains whatsoever with an aftermarket ignition system on a stock motor, the only caveat i'd add would be to avoid the cheap overseas modules and stick with a genuine Motorcraft unit.

 

100% agreed.

The ignition system's job is to make a spark jump across a gap. The voltage it takes to make that happen is a function of the gap of the plug. Any more than that and the plug burns up quicker; any less than that and the spark won't jump. There's a certain range of gap you should run on a stock engine, and the Duraspark setup is engineered to account for exactly that.

That being said, I think the ROI on performance ignition is pretty low. You won't see much of an impact on a street engine which accounts for at least 2/3 of us on here. This is by no means directed at anyone in this thread, but I know that a lot of people spend a lot of money just to have a brand name and fancy words, without really understanding what the system is actually doing. Not that there's anything wrong with that...it's your truck, do what you want. I'd much rather put the money toward headers and an intake - your money goes a lot farther there.

 

To the OP:
I'm running a PerTronix Ignitor I (PN1281), PerTronix Blaster Coil (PN40011) and some MSD StreetFire plugwires (can't find the PN, they work but lengths are incorrect) and a generic NAPA rotor and cap with brass terminals. Truck runs great and I don't have to screw with points anymore! I'm into the whole thing for around $100 before the wires (and they were leftovers from another project.) Points and condenser are living happily in my glove box IF the need arises.

 

To the OP, is your engine completely stock or have you already done the usual bolt-ons (heads, exhaust, intake)? That is the extent of my mods to the 360 thus far and I am in the same boat as you with the ignition upgrade question. I can't complain about the MSD system I have in my Jeep, it has done well for me with both mileage and a snappier throttle. I was considering the Pertronix upgrade, but my truck and most likely my distributor is 36yrs old and I wouldn't be surprised if there were a bit of play in the internals. The Pertronix upgrade is nice, but doesn't solve this problem, the MSD is great, but requires a box and the distributor for the upgrade but the Accel (or Pertronix for that matter) replace my old distributor and are stand alone upgrades (no box required), which is why I am leaning that way. Let me know what you decide. Oh, it's also really easy to wire an MSD box with connectors to work with the original oem parts if I'm away from home and something breaks or for troubleshooting

 

if i already knew it, i woudn't have asked.

I've asked about 3 times for your reasoning, trying to understand where you are coming from.

all options are on the table.

I'll ask one more time ... point blank

please explain to me how a duraspark is better in a stock application than any system with multiple sparks and/or extended dwell times. i ask because i do not understand, it is counterintuitve.

 

I've never under stood the dura spark is better argument. Just because it's been around for a long time doesn't cut the mustard for me. I can't even tell you how many vehicles I've dealt with that have erratic ignition timing even with a new duraspark set up. Being around for a long time doesn't make it better. My view is it was already built and cheap as he'll to reproduce it was adequate so why not keep using it. That is probably the most logical augment for duraspark.
I don't care what you use but I don't believe dura spark is better than an msd, or and HEI set up even in a street application. I Garuntee engine to engine. Specs matching exactly an HEI from performance distributer will run smoother and with more power than a duraspark. Also don't take this as I'm knocking duraspark. It works but thats the end of it. That is what it was designed to do, be adequate for the job.

 

it is 100% stock right now. short term plans are carb and intake. If i can find a set of headers that fit the bill and don't break the bank, i'll put them in the short term plan as well.

long term, heads and cam. but i'm not going to do that until the engine is in need of servicing.

If i do upgrade the ignition, i want something that can handle anything i do in the future.

If the duraspark is truly as good as it gets, then that's fine and i'll get to save some money. but with all the aftermarket ignition systems out there, it seems hard to think that some of them dont have something to offer in a stock or mildly modified engine.

If you look at the current OEM ignition systems, they are not using single spark constant dwell technology. this leads me to belive that there is another system out there that can has something to offer.

very open to all ideas ... just really having a hard time understanding.

 

I'll put it this way: the naysayers are guys that haven't run the aftermarket stuff, the guys in favor of aftermarket have run stock and aftermarket and all of them prefer aftermarket. That should tell you what you need to know.

 

I would "prefer" it as well if i had to justify dropping 400 bucks on a dizzy.

 

I choked on spending it on mine. But after I installed and drove it for ahwhile. I'm glad I did. My truck was like a totally different truck after I swapped out to the DUI.

 

Those comments are about as misleading as me saying something like this:

"After I installed a [brand new] GM 454 engine in my Ford pickup truck and drove it for awhile, I am glad I replaced the [original 37 year old] Ford 460 engine. My truck was like a totally different truck after I swapped out to the GM 454. My Ford 460 used to blow black smoke out of the tailpipe. Not the GM 454."

 

There are tons of options out there for under $400.

Just my $0.02, but if you want optimal parts availability, LEAVE IT STOCK! I can't think of any parts store where you CAN'T get a set of points or a condenser.

Feel free to add $40 to any of these prices for a new performance coil that matches.
Performance Distributors DuraSpark $265
PerTronix Flame Thrower Plug&Play w/IgnitorII $226
Same PerTronix as above w/vacuum advance $236
MSD Pro-Billet $254 (still requires additional ignition box like a 6A @ $174)
ACCEL Street Billet $259 (may require specific coil)
Davis DUI HEI $385 (one wire hookup, no additional coil)

I STILL have a 38 year old distributor in my truck. While I've given serious concideration to a DuraSparkII setup, but they get damn expensive real quick. Any Ford DSII dizzy for an FE you find in the junkyard is going to be at a minimum 35 years old and in questionable condition (wear) or you can go buy a ubiquitous off-shore rebuilt $50 Ford DSII dizzys you can get at AutoZone and Napa...
$50 for the stripped "re-manufactured" dizzy from Napa
$30 core charge
$30 for the reluctor and pickup module
$40-$120 for the harness if you can't JY one
$??? for a genuine FORD DuraSparkII box. Has anyone priced one at the dealer?

We are already up to $150-$235 and we still don't have a DSII box and we are stuck with a distributor of dubious origin. Buy the PD DSII dizzy and we are at $300 before module. The above NEW manufactured aftermarket all in one or plug and play units start looking real attractive once you start adding it up.

It all comes down to personal preference, and how much you need/want to spend, and how risk adverse you are to breakdown. ANY of these systems can break.

 

Well said DrainBramage!

 

That's a valid point if the OP were building an ignition system from the ground up, but he already has a working Duraspark system on the truck...it's his cash, his truck, if he wants to drop $250-$400 on an aftermarket "performance" ignition then by all means do so, my only point is it's unnecessary and not an upgrade over a functioning DSII ignition when installed on a street driven truck with a stock engine, if funds are limited he'd get much more bang for the buck by installing headers/free flowing exhaust, etc.

 

Actually. My dura spark was rebuilt it was a P.O.S. In a brand new 460. So keep your smart *** comments to yourself. I love how some people have really nothing to add they just want to make stupid comments.