Just wondering what ignition systems everyone is using.

I'd like to upgrade from the duraspark, but everything i see seems very spendy.

Summit has a drop in HEI style distributor, but I dont know anything about it.

input anyone?

 

I'm putting a pertronix ignitor 1 in mine. I haven't got it dialed in yet but should have time in a few days to get back to it.

 

The MSD with the Ford electronics works great...And if the MSD fails (It does happen) you can plug in the Ford box back in and keep going with two simple plugs.

 

I'm curious about this too. I have an MSD 6AL box in my 99 Wrangler and I noticed that it revved faster and seemed to improve the fuel economy as well (from 13-13. 5mpg up to about 14mpg, lol). Since I've gone the MSD route on the Jeep, I was thinking of buying an Accel distributor for the truck, so that I can say I've tried both.

 

Personally, I don't see anything an upgrade from a DSII for a street rig.

 

I just found that pertronix makes an Ignitor 2 for 77-83 ford v8 (PN 9FO-182). It looks to me that this is for use in the duraspark ii distributor. Im not sure, but it looks as though it is intended to completely bypass the duraspark module.

This seems like it could be a worthwhile upgrade. Duraspark is a constant dwell ignition system (with timing retard while cranking), while the ignitor 2 is a variable dwell.

If this installs the way i think, it could really clean up the engine bay as well.

thoughts, anyone?

 

When I bought my HEI "Davis unified ignition" I was worried about loosing the start timing retard. I'm not anymore. She starts right up and has rock solid timing. My duraspark used to bounce about 5 degrees in each direction. Not the DUI. I will never buy another ignition as long as they make a DUI for the application.

 

that looks AWESOME!

that is what i am trying to achieve with mine. very clean looking install.

also curious about your headers. which motor and which headers are those?
If i can get mine to look like that, i'll be stoked!

 

Very clean and like the way the PS pump is tucked in. I have nothing against HEI and the DUI is susposed to be a nice unit. Only thing that steers me away, is Ford went to the TFI with coil on distributor and was plagued with so many problems with it overheating, they removed it from dizzy. If I went to one, it would be the DUI. Too many people having problems with the chinese made HEI units being sold. You get what you pay for. I'm just so familiar and confident with the DSII blue module it's hard for me to change. If it does go bad, replacement parts are available at any parts store. Competition rig, thats a different story.

 

yup looks great.
Also like to know about the headers and motor.

 

I agree with gfw1985. There really isn't much of an "upgrade" from the stock Duraspark II ignition your truck already has. Switching to a GM or Summit HEI is only going to be a change, and nothing more. There is absolutely nothing a GM or aftermarket HEI ignition can do that the Motorcraft Duraspark ignition can't already do. What you can do however, is make sure your ignition system is operating properly, and get your distributor curved properly to your engine. Also make sure you are running good plugs and plug wires. I highly recommend MOTORCRAFT parts.

The Performance Distributors D.U.I. is a good unit, but it offers nothing over a properly functioning Duraspark II, unless you have a highly modified engine, spend a lot of time above 5,000 RPMs, or you are actively drag racing your pickup truck.

I personally don't like the fact that it is a GM HEI design. It just doesn't belong under the hood of a FORD, in my opinion. The cap, coil, and ignition module all piled on top of the distributor causes its own set of issues that the Ford Duraspark doesn't have to worry about. But if you must, the D.U.I. is the best one, and the one I would go with if I were going to do it. The downside is that they are very expensive, and that HUGE distributor is going to interfere with your stock thermostatic air cleaner. That means you are going to have to run an el-cheapo chrome open-element air cleaner with the D.U.I. unit, and that is going to cause you driveability problems if you drive in cold or humid weather.

If you have a modified engine, another solution is to get a custom-curved Duraspark style distributor from Performance Distributors, the same company that makes the D.U.I. unit. That is what I have and it did make a difference to my motor along with new plugs, wires, and I was also able to run more timing.

 

I have been running a DUI unit on my 1974 F-100 with a 428 now for almot two years and have had zero issues with it. I could never get a Pertronix unit to work be stable for me.

 

I run a complete MSD setup from wires to dizzy to box and I don't know what everyone on here is talking about when they say that you will see no difference. I beg to differ. My pickup has never started so easy and cleanly, and the throttle response is night and day difference! I am completely sold on MSD's distributors and will use them any time I can! Hope this helps...

 

fe 390: mallory hyfire, coil, dist. love it


kurt
73 highboy

 

just wondering, do you think that the pertronix did not work because the dizzy was getting worn out?

i could see this as a potential problem.

just curious.