View Poll Results: What electronic ignition for 352/390 FE?
Davis Unified Ignition(DUI)
1
6.67%
PerTronix Flame Thrower 2
7
46.67%
Other (List below)
7
46.67%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll
Electronic Ignition for FE
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: SoCal(OC)
Electronic Ignition for FE
This past weekend I had my points slip and close 2x's....I have a 352 FE and decided to switch to electronic ignition...I've had some people suggest DUI(Davis Unified Ignition) and others say PerTronix Flame Thrower 2
What are your opinions pos and neg for each?
What are your opinions pos and neg for each?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
The petronix has been around for a while, works well, I have been using them for 20 years. As things evolve better options become available. I don't know what's best, just can say the Petronix is good.
John
John
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 372
I'm a little confused. The Flamethrower and Flamethower II are coils (I believe both are internally resisted so don't need a ballast). I used one about 9 years and was happy. But you're talking about the points and if you want the Petronix version then you want their Ignitor or Ignitor II. I've been happy with them as well. You may even be able to swap an Ignitor into your existing distributor...can't remember for sure because it's been a while.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 372
Correction for what I said (after looking at the Petronix site). They have a Flame thrower distributor too which has the ignitor inside. As my memory comes back, their distributor was fairly easy to change the advance curve if you feel the need. You'll need some dentist type picks to handle the tiny springs should you want to adjust the curve.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 11
From: Townsend, MT
I had the Flame Thrower 2 in mine for a while. It ran good, But I switched to a cheap HEI by CRT Performance and it runs even better. I think my old dizzy was getting a little worn.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
There's nothing simpler than dropping an Ignitor module in to replace points. They are not so affected by a worn distributor like points. In fact that may be why so many make the conversion, when the shaft runout becomes just a little too large the points are going to wobble and the dwell won't be steady and will give constant trouble. Take the time to make sure the advance curve is where you want it while you're at it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
I've had a Performance Distributors (DUI) Duraspark setup installed for about 7 years now. That's their distributor, box, coil, and wires. My truck is driven daily and year 'round in Atlanta. I've made a couple 1200 mile round trips with it. I have not had one problem.
There was a noticeable improvement, over the previous points setup, to the low end, nothing significant, but still noticeable.
Since you have an FE, you probably have a choice of Duraspark or GM HEI style. While I would expect the same results of the GM style, but it's not what I have and I have not used one so I have no idea how they compare. GM HEI will not fit in the space allowed by my Y-Block.
I have had a Pertronix Ignitor II module and flamethrower II coil that I could tell no difference at all over points - same mileage, same idle and running characteristics, no perceived change in power.
There was a noticeable improvement, over the previous points setup, to the low end, nothing significant, but still noticeable.
Since you have an FE, you probably have a choice of Duraspark or GM HEI style. While I would expect the same results of the GM style, but it's not what I have and I have not used one so I have no idea how they compare. GM HEI will not fit in the space allowed by my Y-Block.
I have had a Pertronix Ignitor II module and flamethrower II coil that I could tell no difference at all over points - same mileage, same idle and running characteristics, no perceived change in power.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 113
From: Chico, Ca.
My truck did run better with the Pertronix. The other reason I like it is the stock look. If you don't care about the looks, then there's probably better performance with the Duraspark or MSD mentioned.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 556
Likes: 38
I ran a CRT for numerous years as well on a 73 F250 with a 360 and loved it so much I put one on my other Ford engine as well. You'll need a 10" air filter assy or smaller though, because it sits up high and large.