electronic ignition
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Idaho
electronic ignition
All,
Thanks for all the help. I'm still working on the plan for my truck and prioritizing. I'm now looking at ignitions. What are the power increases on a 390? I don't care about MPGs. I was told by my brother that i could get and extra 10 horses out of an electronic ignition. Is it a hard conversion or just a bolt on? What specifics should i look for when chosing an ignition system? And of course, which ones are the best? Thanks in advance
Thanks for all the help. I'm still working on the plan for my truck and prioritizing. I'm now looking at ignitions. What are the power increases on a 390? I don't care about MPGs. I was told by my brother that i could get and extra 10 horses out of an electronic ignition. Is it a hard conversion or just a bolt on? What specifics should i look for when chosing an ignition system? And of course, which ones are the best? Thanks in advance
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, CO
Power increases, perhaps compared to points ignitions, but not 10 HP. You can add a 1975 era Duraspark II distributor and brain box to your FE for about $100. If you want to convert your current points distributor to electronic, go with the Pertronix, again, for about $100.
--Mike
--Mike
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Ya, pretty much what Mike said.
It will start easier, idle better, run better, but I wouldn't hold out for any great power gains(or mileage). That is unless it's been running on 5 cyls to begin with.
Remember those Split Fire commercials? Everyone claimed how much better their vehicle ran after installation. Well if it was needing plugs anyway....ANYTHING would have made it run better. Of course they didn't TELL you that part.
Anymore I'd just pick the Pertronix. For the money and ease of install, it can't be beat. Adding a Duraspark is just way too much crap and not worth it(for the same money as Pert.)
It will start easier, idle better, run better, but I wouldn't hold out for any great power gains(or mileage). That is unless it's been running on 5 cyls to begin with.
Remember those Split Fire commercials? Everyone claimed how much better their vehicle ran after installation. Well if it was needing plugs anyway....ANYTHING would have made it run better. Of course they didn't TELL you that part.
Anymore I'd just pick the Pertronix. For the money and ease of install, it can't be beat. Adding a Duraspark is just way too much crap and not worth it(for the same money as Pert.)
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Ya, you don't really need a MSD(multiple spark) unit. They work below 3000 rpm, after that they are just an electronic ignition. No real need to spend $200 for a box, then run it with points(or convert to electronic dizzy too). Cha ching.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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We are in the wire clean-up / organizing part of the Duraspark install mentioned above. I have not timed it yet, but the truck used to hesitate when I stepped on it, that is gone!! Sweeeeet!!
Frankin2 had the schematics for the basic install, I had the schematic for my truck and then picked up the same for the 76'. The distributor, ignition box, and wire harness from a 76' FE for 150.00 (the place is a little pricey, but the only one around with it).
It was advised to get the ignition box with the Blue wire connector on it.
The main reason(s) we went this route vs. Pertronix or others was the availability of parts up here (if something goes south I can go to NAPA) and the complete price!
Frankin2 had the schematics for the basic install, I had the schematic for my truck and then picked up the same for the 76'. The distributor, ignition box, and wire harness from a 76' FE for 150.00 (the place is a little pricey, but the only one around with it).
It was advised to get the ignition box with the Blue wire connector on it.
The main reason(s) we went this route vs. Pertronix or others was the availability of parts up here (if something goes south I can go to NAPA) and the complete price!
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by reifwj
What are the power increases on a 390? I don't care about MPGs.
I was told that i could get and extra 10 horses out of an electronic ignition.
I was told that i could get and extra 10 horses out of an electronic ignition.
Man, I love it when I read that.
John
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From: Long Island USA
The MSD made a huge difference in low-end torque, and cold starting and driving, over the stock Duraspark setup I transplanted. That was with a stock-style MSD coil instead of the stock Duraspark coil, which are the same thing I think.
But for the original poster, no, an MSD doesn't make sense unless you already have a coughing/spitting cold-hating FE
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