Ignition Upgrade Questions
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Ignition Upgrade Questions
Hey...I'm a new member, and just got a 79 F-150 4x4, 400, 4spd. Truck is really nice. In the process of makin some changes, and I wanted the opinion of the masses that have been playin with 'em for awhile. Here's the scoop... Just rebuilt the Holley, put on headers, glasspacks and duals. I want to upgrade the ignition and eliminate the duraspark. The main thing I'm looking for is better performance/economy, and reliability. I have an autometer tach too. What is the way to go? MSD 8580, 6AL and wires, or the D.U.I. and live wires? Thanks for the help.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Coal Country, ND
I went the DUI route and am happy with it. I got to get rid of the electronic box that will sometimes leave you stranded (yes I did always carry a spare).
I liked the fact that the HEI was a simple 1 wire hook up (2 counting the tach), and that it came curved to my engine specs (cammed, 4 barrel, towing, etc) and driving needs.
BTW Lately I've been hearing some bad things about the MSD 6 boxes not lasting. Personaly I bought a MSD Blaster 2 Coil and that thing started leaking oil in 6 months. I wasn't impressed.
I liked the fact that the HEI was a simple 1 wire hook up (2 counting the tach), and that it came curved to my engine specs (cammed, 4 barrel, towing, etc) and driving needs.
BTW Lately I've been hearing some bad things about the MSD 6 boxes not lasting. Personaly I bought a MSD Blaster 2 Coil and that thing started leaking oil in 6 months. I wasn't impressed.
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Unrulee,
Thanks for the input. You got rid of the DUI box and went with a standard coil? Or the DUI system got rid of the duraspark box, and the MSD coil was prior to your DUI upgrade? Not sure what you meant.
Thanks for the input. You got rid of the DUI box and went with a standard coil? Or the DUI system got rid of the duraspark box, and the MSD coil was prior to your DUI upgrade? Not sure what you meant.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Coal Country, ND
I am currently running the DUI. I had been running the stock duraspark with the MSD coil. With the hei set up the coil is made into the distributor cap, there is no way to run an external coil.
Hope this clears it up for ya.
Hope this clears it up for ya.
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From: Coal Country, ND
Originally Posted by masterbeavis
but but but, the durafart box provided 15* of retard while cranking to help promote easier start up. 
Yeah the rumor is that the stock box (not the usual replacement China junk) will retard timing at startup to aid in starting.
Since I went Hei my truck has been starting just fine with out being "retarded". It was 14* here this mourning and it fired right up as usual.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: MA
Originally Posted by unrulee
I went the DUI route and am happy with it. I got to get rid of the electronic box that will sometimes leave you stranded (yes I did always carry a spare).
I liked the fact that the HEI was a simple 1 wire hook up (2 counting the tach), and that it came curved to my engine specs (cammed, 4 barrel, towing, etc) and driving needs.
BTW Lately I've been hearing some bad things about the MSD 6 boxes not lasting. Personaly I bought a MSD Blaster 2 Coil and that thing started leaking oil in 6 months. I wasn't impressed.
I liked the fact that the HEI was a simple 1 wire hook up (2 counting the tach), and that it came curved to my engine specs (cammed, 4 barrel, towing, etc) and driving needs.
BTW Lately I've been hearing some bad things about the MSD 6 boxes not lasting. Personaly I bought a MSD Blaster 2 Coil and that thing started leaking oil in 6 months. I wasn't impressed.
.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
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From: Montana Territory
If you don't mind the disgustingly large DUI units that is the way to go... they are very well designed and built, and they are an FTE sponsor.
I've run Mallory magnetic breakless mechanical ditributors and Crane Hi-6s igntion controls for many years without incident.
I've run Mallory magnetic breakless mechanical ditributors and Crane Hi-6s igntion controls for many years without incident.
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New User
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Anymore thoughts...any full MSD system owners out there? I'm lookin for details. Did D.U.I. make a difference in power, mileage, reliabiliy, run smoother? How bout this advanced timing on start-up issue...sounds like a potential problem, one that's shared by MSD too, but they make a "retard" module. I'm gonna drop 4 bills on a system asap, leaning towards DUI now, but wanna make the right choice for the long haul. I like how they're custom curved for each appl.