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gtome · 02-02-2015, 10:55 PM

So I have been thinking ever since I put that $90 new dist in, maybe I should have sprung for something better. Im about to pull my engine out but I want to be sure its running tip top before I do. Seems like whenever I dont make sure things are running right, if something isnt quite there when I plunk it back in, im never sure if it was a problem before. I had my stock dist at work (along with a few other things) and it has all come up missing. So I dont have time to track down another stocker and send it out to have it worked over. Is there a good dist out there that would be pretty good right out of the box? This is primarily a street car, but im hoping to spend some time at the track this year too. This is a 455 with a qjet at the moment.

GOAT WHORE · 02-02-2015, 10:57 PM

MSD ready to run.

Oldgoatnuts · 02-02-2015, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOAT WHORE

MSD ready to run.

That gets my vote too

HWYSTR455 · 02-03-2015, 09:51 AM

Yeah, the MSD RTR, Accel Street Billet, or the Summit Billet RTR are my choices. If you're going to buy a new one, makes no sense getting a large cap/body distributor.

HEIs are nice, effective, and last, but the coil in cap is the killer. They do overheat, and have personally had coils go bad in short order/low use. Going to an external coli conversion on an HEI bumps the cost of caps, and it's still a large cap/body.

The MSD RTR used to have issues with the reluctor wheel rusting, but now they are coated. Caps and rotors are a little expensive, but great quality, and available almost anywhere.

The Accel billet is a good unit, less expensive than the MSD by over $100 if you shop it, but the caps are a little flimsy, and just as expensive as the MSD ones, if not more. The black caps add cost, which is a rip-off that ticks me off. Otherwise, the units are accurate, respond well to tuning, and very adjustable. The electronics are of good quality, and in many years, only had one fail across multiple vehicles.

The Summit ones look nice, looks like an MSD knock-off, and appears to use MSD type caps and rotors. Appears to have the same pickup arrangement, weights and springs, but the vacuum can is not adjustable. I haven't held one or taken one apart, but for half the price ($175) of the MSD unit, it would be worth a chance.

Only the Accel unit has an adjustable vacuum can as shipped, fyi.

I use the Summit E-core generic coils exclusively, they are small, black, and have no marking on them. They are solid and last a long time. They are identical to the MSD SS coil and $15 cheaper. A deal to say the least.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850500/overview/

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gtome · 02-03-2015, 06:19 PM

Thanks guys. I dont mind spending the money on a good set up, but I was surprised to see the cost of the MSD. Wasnt expecting that! But I suppose if I were to source a good used dist, then send it off to be gone through, I would be in it for just as much but would have a year wait time.

gtome · 02-03-2015, 06:28 PM

It looks like the summit brand HEI is actually $229 for a Pontiac. $175 is for the Chebby. Id probly spring for the Accel for $50 more than rolling the dice on a Summit brand. That is if I didnt get the MSD.

gtome · 06:39 PM

Also did I read that right? The MSD has no vac advance?

Edit: I found it, there is one with and one without vac advance.

GOAT WHORE · 02-03-2015, 07:22 PM

Yes, the RTR (ready to run) has the vacuum advance.

HWYSTR455 · 02-03-2015, 07:53 PM

Actually, I was saying that the only one with an ADJUSTABLE vacuum advance was the Accel, the others have them, just not adjustable, so you would have to add that after the fact.

The Summit one is not an HEI, but you are correct, the chebby one is 175, the Pontiac one is $229:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...w/make/pontiac

The Accel is $289:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ac...w/make/pontiac

And yes, the MSD is $366:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ms...w/make/pontiac

The Summit one does look to be a knock off of the MSD unit, and Summit does have quality stuff, still wouldn't be too much of a risk.

I'm going to a dual sync, and have an Accel if you don't mind used, would let it go at a fellow-PY price. Have all the docs, all the springs, weights, a new gear (original, I went bronze for a roller), etc, an extra cap too. $140 shipped, lower 48. PM me if interested....

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Overkillphil · 02-03-2015, 08:15 PM

I'm not an Accel fan as I've found some of their stuff to be of low quality over the years. I was looking at the MSD RTR a while ago because it had a lot of nice features. Tuning and availability/precision of parts to dial in the curve are another advantage to me since I don't have access to a great assortment of weights, springs etc for HEI's etc. The rev limiter is nice too and can also be tailored to the engine. Quality seems to be high based upon what I've seen in person at the local speed shop.

However the MSD appears to have (or had) a large cap (HEI style?) which wasn't appealing to me (are they still large cap design?). So I'm still running the old GM HEI's and dialed in the tuning as much as I can.

Gator67 · 02-03-2015, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overkillphil

...
However the MSD appears to have (or had) a large cap (HEI style?) which wasn't appealing to me (are they still large cap design?). So I'm still running the old GM HEI's and dialed in the tuning as much as I can.

I run a factory stock dist cap with my RTR.

Overkillphil · 02-03-2015, 09:03 PM

Gator, is that a stock HEI or points type cap?

Gator67 · 02-03-2015, 09:15 PM

Stock points cap.

HWYSTR455 · 02-04-2015, 09:18 AM

Dang, typed up a decent, informative post, and my system took a dump...

Anyway, the Accel unit is fine, and adjusts easily.

If you are bent on going MSD, then the trick would be to get the less expensive Pro-Billet, which is a non-vacuum advance unit, and use the MSD 6AL-2. The total cost is a wash I think if you plan on using a box, and the AL-2 you can lock the dizzy and program the curve with a laptop. It also allows for a MAP input, can simulate a vacuum can, and you can adjust it with the laptop as well, and not worry about sticking a stupid allen wrench in the can.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ms...w/make/pontiac

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-6530

For that matter, if you plan to use the 6AL-2, the distributor matters even less, it's just a trigger, can use a less expensive one and lock it out. Shoot, buy a used one even.

.

rohrt · 02-04-2015, 10:08 AM

Dave's small body HEI was another option for a RTR distributor. Not sure how MSD or his would compare.

Black67bird · 02-04-2015, 08:41 PM

D.U.I Davis unified ignition out of Memphis tenn. just call them and tell them what you have and they will set up.

gtome · 02-07-2015, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Dang, typed up a decent, informative post, and my system took a dump...

Anyway, the Accel unit is fine, and adjusts easily.

If you are bent on going MSD, then the trick would be to get the less expensive Pro-Billet, which is a non-vacuum advance unit, and use the MSD 6AL-2. The total cost is a wash I think if you plan on using a box, and the AL-2 you can lock the dizzy and program the curve with a laptop. It also allows for a MAP input, can simulate a vacuum can, and you can adjust it with the laptop as well, and not worry about sticking a stupid allen wrench in the can.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ms...w/make/pontiac

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-6530

For that matter, if you plan to use the 6AL-2, the distributor matters even less, it's just a trigger, can use a less expensive one and lock it out. Shoot, buy a used one even.

.

You know I have never liked looking in the engine compartment and seeing those boxes. But since I am kicking around the idea of boost, that may be the best way to go. That way its there if I were to ever need it. But I would have to mount it up under the dash or something!

Nicks67GTO · 02-07-2015, 03:43 PM

Ill be honest....I bought a $50 or $75 dollar Tomahawk special HEI and have had 0 issues in 3 years with it. Engine is a mild 455/6X4 I beat the dogpiss out of. Ill be adding an MSD rev limiting module this spring.

gtome · 02-07-2015, 06:26 PM

I have one like that on it now. It may be just fine, or maybe im loosing something with it. Because its a cheapy ive always wondered.

moparcolt · 02-07-2015, 07:54 PM

I really like the Petronix stuff. I build engines for people. 10 last year, and I used the billet flame thrower III distributor in all but 2. I used HEI's in those because they already had them.
it's really nice. Easy to adjust and install. Has a built in Rev limiter. And it looks pretty much like a stock distributor.
And their multi-spark unit is through the full RPM range where MSD's I'd only to about 3000 RPM

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