electronic igntion choice

[MONTEY]

My 67 Camaro SS/RS has the factory original distributor with the points, condensor etc., Engine is #s matching 350//295hp., rebuilt 4 months ago. Only performance upgrade was a Comp 280Magnum Cam. Plan on pulling the original distributor out & purchasing a correct rebuilt distributor using A new cap & rotor & installing a electronic kit !! Since i have a tight factory fit now with thw cap close to the firewall & the original breather base sitting slightly on top of the dist,., plug wires this is the way i have to go!! I want to know -WHAT IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR IN WHAT IS AVAILABLE OUT THERE--PETRONIX, BREAKERLESS SINGLE WIRE IGNITION, MALLORY, CRANE ETC?? MUST KNOW WAHT IS BEST FOR MY APPLICATION IN THE ABOVE EXPLANATION!!REMEMBER I WANT RELIABILITY,EASIER STARTING, NICE PERFORMANCE @ HASSLE FREE~!

[Chevy454]

In my opinion, I'd avoid the Pertronix and similar products. While some have had no problems, we've had our share, and we unfortunately aren't alone.

The easiest way out will be to put an MSD box on it somewhere (hide it!!) and your points then become only a trigger device, leaving the MSD system to provide the fire...this is definitely a step up, and pretty straight forward. A step up from that is to use an MSD (or oem Chrysler) pickup in your distributor which will trigger your MSD unit...a little more involved, but will last forever and a day. Dave's HEI out in Cali offers this type of conversion, but it's not too terribly difficult to make one for yourself...

[jg95z28]

I've used a Mallory Unilite and was 100% happy. Currently I'm still running the stock points units on both 327s, but I'll probably swap one or both soon. I'm probably going with Dave's HEI at that point.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I too am using the Mallory Uni-lite setup, but have not run the original points setup to compare against. I'm inclined to remove the Mallory setup after receiving a ride in an 11k mile Deuce that was shifted into 2nd gear at 7,200 rpm - while my mouth was hung open. If good points can take take that rpm, then I'm putting them in rather than run the risk of one of these breakerless systems failing me - I'll already have the distributor out for my pending cam change http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Salvatore]

Shifted at 7,700 with a single point corvette distributor. NEVER had a problem. Roller cam, Tarantula intake, 750 double pumper,angle plug heads, 488 gears, stock LT1 pistons with the top ring grove moved up. Muncie 4 speed with Trans End parts. Lakewood Bars,stock axles, stock GM ring and pinnon, 9" tires. NO tied frame. 3,250 lbs. Those were the days. Didn't get to technical, because it wasn't very technical. Stuck to the basics. 11.50's at 122mph Ran A/Bracket or D/FX circa 1973-75. 1969 Chevy SS nova bought new at Mullin Chevrolet, Ambler, Pa. April 1969 Loved it! Wish I still had it! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gifhttp://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif Sam

[SamLBInj]

""Roller cam, Tarantula intake, 750 double pumper,angle plug heads, 488 gears, stock LT1 pistons ""
Damn, We live in the same world! Slap on a set of Hookers and we got a real runner!...I love those Tarantula intake Manifolds!
Sam

[Salvatore]

Right on! Sammy. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[hvychev]

sc69sam Rules!! A true old hot rodder! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Salvatore]

Hey Frank, You are right about being old! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[NCGuy68]

If you truely have the original distributor, keep it. After all, it was born with the car.

Mallory, Echlin and others make 'heavy duty' points that can take 7K rpm runs on a mild motor like yours. The key is to make sure the dist. is solid. Biggest problem with them is worn bushings, excessive end play and point plate wobble all of which can be corrected. Keep in mind too, that the engine wire harness and coil itself must be up to snuff for good performance. Don't overlook the battery either. You need at least 14V or better.

I suggest you send the dist. to Jerry MacNeish at www.z28camaro.com. (http://www.z28camaro.com.) He does a nice job of 'blue printing' and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

[Seattle Sam]

Montey,
Dave Ray has a very good reputation, he will build you a small body distributor that is converted to HEI, or he will rebuild yours. Since yours is original to the car, I would pay Dave the $5 core charge and save the original untouched.
His conversion uses all commonly available parts. DjD from Team Camaro swears by Dave's distributors.

I just bought one from him and it looks great - service was really fast (about a week turnaround) and my new distributor looks like new! The engine is still not started so I can't comment on the performance.

Here is the link, Small Body HEI (http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/)
Good Luck!
-Sam

[jg95z28]

Thanks, I had a hard time find Daves link. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif As much as I loved my Mallory Unilite, I'm probably going this route on the kid's blue 67 coupe. My RS is only a weekend car, so I'll probably leave the stock points unit in there.

Back when I had my 68 RS, I did a lot of research on performance ignition systems at the time (circa 1986-88). I was working at Kragens while I was in school, and I bought a Unilite off a buddy who had all Fords (never could figure out where it came from http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif ) for $50. No cap and rotor, but I bought replacements then did a warranty exchange at work for a new unit. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I know not 100% Kosher, but at least I had a new distributor. I did a lot of other things like run 8.8 mm wires and indexed my plugs, etc. so I'm not 100% sure how much better the Unilite was over the stock points setup. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Still, it was great working at Kragens at the time with that 25% employee discount. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[PxTx]

I have seen points dizzy work well, but I doubt that the mecahnical trigger will ever be as fast as the speed of light. The Uni-lite use a light beam and photo collector as the triggering mechanism, so it is probably more acurate and consistant. A great choice for someone who is not very handy at setting up a distributor or is frustraited with points bouce in the upper R's.

That all being said, I place higher value on vintage speed parts being used despite the availability of supperior products when dealing with a "period build-up".

Paul