Ignition choice
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,190
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
Ignition choice
Harte3:
F-250 restorer here. When I pulled my core engine from the yard, I took with it the '78 electronic ignition system and distributor. The mechanic I am working with says I ought to take it to his distributor/ignition specialist, and have him recurve it to my cam, and install new bushings, etc.
I'm a bit leery of installing such an old system, and have been looking at the Unilite distributors, the DUI's, and the HyFire systems. I know you have been here, and wonder why you went with the HyFire.
Also, what would you recommend? Thanks.
F-250 restorer here. When I pulled my core engine from the yard, I took with it the '78 electronic ignition system and distributor. The mechanic I am working with says I ought to take it to his distributor/ignition specialist, and have him recurve it to my cam, and install new bushings, etc.
I'm a bit leery of installing such an old system, and have been looking at the Unilite distributors, the DUI's, and the HyFire systems. I know you have been here, and wonder why you went with the HyFire.
Also, what would you recommend? Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 5
You didnt ask but Ill throw it out there.
The stock duraspark II system is good.
A bench test was done using the stock duraspark II system vs duraspark II distributor GM 4 pin module and TFI coil, the DSII/GM4pin/TFI made more energy. I know based on my own experience, it made a huge difference in cold cold weather during cold start conditions.
The duraspark II dizzy/gm module/tfi coild is nothing more than the DUI distributor except cobbled together. The DUI does come with a billet shaft but costs 3X and has been proven via dyno to produce more power than the duraspark II with an aftermarket ignition box.
The duraspark II with any aftermarket ignition box, msd, mallory, etc. would work well...we arent talking major difference here power wise but there is a huge dollar difference.
The stock duraspark II system is good.
A bench test was done using the stock duraspark II system vs duraspark II distributor GM 4 pin module and TFI coil, the DSII/GM4pin/TFI made more energy. I know based on my own experience, it made a huge difference in cold cold weather during cold start conditions.
The duraspark II dizzy/gm module/tfi coild is nothing more than the DUI distributor except cobbled together. The DUI does come with a billet shaft but costs 3X and has been proven via dyno to produce more power than the duraspark II with an aftermarket ignition box.
The duraspark II with any aftermarket ignition box, msd, mallory, etc. would work well...we arent talking major difference here power wise but there is a huge dollar difference.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
What Motorhead351 said. The HEI 4 pin module and the TFI coil is the cheapest way to go by far especially when pulled from a junk yard. One can keep a spare module or two in the glove box just in case of a failure.
My HyFire6a is the box only wired with my DSII box and a recurved DSII dizzy. (This is the original dizzy with 300k miles on it so if your mechanic has your old dizzy rebushed and recurved, no problem.) The same can be done with the MSD6a, Crane HI-6s, etc., or wired stand-alone. No particular reason for me going with the Mallory box other than finding a good buy on eBay and getting some bragging rights which is usually the expensive part.
My HyFire6a is the box only wired with my DSII box and a recurved DSII dizzy. (This is the original dizzy with 300k miles on it so if your mechanic has your old dizzy rebushed and recurved, no problem.) The same can be done with the MSD6a, Crane HI-6s, etc., or wired stand-alone. No particular reason for me going with the Mallory box other than finding a good buy on eBay and getting some bragging rights which is usually the expensive part.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,683
Likes: 3,148
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
I did the HEI conversion and purchased all the parts new including an MSD high output coil. As Motorhead351 said cold and any start is better with HEI. I think I had about $30.00 in the conversion. The site gofastforless.com has good information about this.
Rod
Rod
