duraspark ignition replacment
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
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duraspark ignition replacment
I have looked through alot of threads and i cant seem to find a straight answer or a general concnesus. So i was wondering if you all could give me your opinion.
I have an 84 f-250 highly modified 460 engine. Bored and stroked to 527 and every goodie you can name. Ive been working on intake and exhaust and now its time for the ignition.
The ignition is a completely stock duraspark II setup. Its the same that it came from the factory with except it has an accell high voltage coil on it now.
I was wondering if anyone makes a system that will completely replace the duraspark system. im planing on this truck being a show truck and would like something that looks better and with alot less wires than the duraspark. Also i want something that is going to match the performance of my motor.
And lastly is it even worth the time and money to replace? i have read on hear many a time that the duraspark is a pretty good overall system. I was thinking of going with a mallory or MSD system if that is the duraspark can even be replaced. Any and all feedback is greatly appriciated.
thanks for your time
I have an 84 f-250 highly modified 460 engine. Bored and stroked to 527 and every goodie you can name. Ive been working on intake and exhaust and now its time for the ignition.
The ignition is a completely stock duraspark II setup. Its the same that it came from the factory with except it has an accell high voltage coil on it now.
I was wondering if anyone makes a system that will completely replace the duraspark system. im planing on this truck being a show truck and would like something that looks better and with alot less wires than the duraspark. Also i want something that is going to match the performance of my motor.
And lastly is it even worth the time and money to replace? i have read on hear many a time that the duraspark is a pretty good overall system. I was thinking of going with a mallory or MSD system if that is the duraspark can even be replaced. Any and all feedback is greatly appriciated.
thanks for your time
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
You can buy the "one wire" distributors, that usually use a GM module and a large GM HEI cap with the coil made into the center of the cap. I don't believe you will notice much difference in spark power over the setup you have now, but it's much cleaner with only one wire. There is a vendor on here who sells these things, so maybe he will be along shortly. I think there is also a company called Davis Unified Ignition or something like that.
What I want to try sometime when I get the money, is a MSD 6a box. You can buy an MSD dist or an old points dist to drive it, or you can use your duraspark II dist to drive it. It will be another box and more wires, but I have heard a lot of good things about this box. It's a CD ignition, and has multiple sparks at low rpm.
What I want to try sometime when I get the money, is a MSD 6a box. You can buy an MSD dist or an old points dist to drive it, or you can use your duraspark II dist to drive it. It will be another box and more wires, but I have heard a lot of good things about this box. It's a CD ignition, and has multiple sparks at low rpm.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
With a high voltage coil, a good module, and keeping it under 6200 RPM the DSII setup is the best bang for your buck out there.
While aesthetically it might not be the nicest looking thing out there, it's the best ignition system you can get without stepping up to something like an MSD CDI box.
And while the GM HEI based ignition might be a "simpler" install (it has all the same components as DSII, just all shoved into the distributor so it only needs a hot wire), DSII is a higher energy and better all around ignition system.
You don't run into the shorting, spark-arcing, and corrosion that HEI is known for.
Justin
While aesthetically it might not be the nicest looking thing out there, it's the best ignition system you can get without stepping up to something like an MSD CDI box.
And while the GM HEI based ignition might be a "simpler" install (it has all the same components as DSII, just all shoved into the distributor so it only needs a hot wire), DSII is a higher energy and better all around ignition system.
You don't run into the shorting, spark-arcing, and corrosion that HEI is known for.
Justin
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Coleman, Wisconsin
I disagree that the DSII is higher energy and better all around. I also disagree of the spark-arcing. The cap has a bigger diameter to eliminate this problem. The post are atleast twice as far apart than stock. I put an HEI distributor on my 351W and it was a world of difference. It's very noticeable that it has more spark voltage...even at idle. It never ran so smooth. You also can't run a .055-.060 spark gap using a DSII. The DSII may work alright when it works, but the HEI is makes worlds of difference...and for $90 its well worth it.
Last edited by Boss50; Jan 12, 2008 at 05:45 AM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,827
Likes: 103
From: Martinsburg, WV
MSD also makes an aftermarket DSII box, sold through FRPP as well as a hotter coil. I see them all over the short tracks back home. If you want to replace the entire sytem, Best to go with MSD, distributor, controller, the whole 9.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
I disagree that the DSII is higher energy and better all around. I also disagree of the spark-arcing. The cap has a bigger diameter to eliminate this problem. The post are atleast twice as far apart than stock.
I put an HEI distributor on my 351W and it was a world of difference. It's very noticeable that it has more spark voltage...even at idle. It never ran so smooth. You also can't run a .055-.060 spark gap using a DSII. The DSII may work alright when it works, but the HEI is makes worlds of difference...and for $90 its well worth it.
