[TransAm525]

I'm looking to purchase an ignition box for my 1978 Trans Am as the final component in my modified ignition system. I need some feedback and suggestions on which brand and model to purchase. The only requirements I have are that the brand/model must work with an HEI distributor, must have a rev limiter, and is preferably digital. This will be for a street/strip Pontiac 400 with a max rev of 6000 rpm.

[Cliff R]

We use a stock HEI distributor with a Mallory Rev Limiting Module. It fits inside the cap, and has an adjustable rev limiter. Excellent part, to date no issues with it. We even dyno tested the distributor back to back against an MSD billet unit. The pulls were nearly identical, with a very slight edge to the HEI unit in total power production.....Cliff

[Steve C.]

Don't know if it's compatable but MSD Ignition has a new Street Fire CD Ignition that is perfect for budget minded enthusiasts.

http://www.street-fire.com/cdiignition.html

[TransAm525]

I currently have a Pertronix "race only" ignition module, Pertronix "race only" 71,000 volt coil, Pertronix cap, rotor, and condenser assembly, Moroso Blue Max spiral core wires, Crane adjustable vacuum advance, BOP poly gear, .060 gapped plugs, and the distributor rebuilt and custom curved by Cliff's Q-jets. I'm looking at the ignition box mainly for the multiple spark discharge feature. I know the the multi spark feature is usually limited to below 3000 rpm for most boxes, but the improved throttle response and improved idle quality is what I'm mainly after. Price is not a limiting factor, but I don't need a box with all sort of timing retards, multiple rev limiters, or data acquisition.

[71firebird400]

MSD 6AL is the most popular, but all of them fail at some point.

Mallory HiFire boxes seem good, but I've never owned one.

[Pontirag]

my vote is for the MSD. The rpm limiter thingie loosened up and kept falling out. I sent it back to Autotronic controls and they fixed it for free and with free return shipping. It was well outside the warrenty period. included a installation manual and new installation hardware kit. That was back in 1997. Never a problem since. bought a new one for another car 3 years ago. no problems.

Car ran smoother and stronger and got much better gas milage to boot.

Warrenty and customer service is key to repeat business.

[Will]

No problems so far with my Crane HI-6, but it hasn't been used for all that many miles either.

[BILTIT]

accel 300+ with the 375 controller, works well.

[Hurst65]

I installed one of the summit branded boxes last summer. It's a very nice piece!!!
Great buy!!!

[TransAm525]

BILTIT,

I've been doing a lot of research and it seems the Accel 300+ pretty much rates #1 regarding hp and power gains (according to a Car Craft dyno test). Is the rev limiter feature of your Accel box a sequential cylinder deactivation type or a does it just select certain pre-determined cylinders?

[BILTIT]

I am not sure, tried to find an answer but could not.

[TransAm525]

I went with the Accel 300+. Amazon had two new units left in stock for a whopping low price of $106.98 with free shipping. I think the listing price was a mistake on Amazon's end, but nonetheless it's on the way. They have one left in stock for the same price for anyone else interested in the same ignition box.

[Pontirag]

who bought out Jacobs?

[Cliff R]

Here's our direct test results and hp gains from MSD boxes.

1976 Monza, 406cid, apprx 580hp. Runs mid 6's at 105 mph, and low 10's in the 1/4 mile.

Stock points distributor with an old set of Accel points, plate brazed down, no vacuum advance, only the stock mechanical curve with a positive stop welded in. Replaced with MSD billet distributor and 6AL box, big wires, high output coil, etc........The car SLOWED down .02 seconds and .5 mph. The only thing I could figure is that the engine was enjoying the natural timing retard provided by the points.

My own engine, 514hp and just under 600ft lbs torque. Right on the dyno we swapped out my stock HEI for an MSD billet distributor/MSD box, no measurable gain anywhere in the pull. The HEI with the Mallory rev limiting module actually made just a slight bit more power.

I bought a car a few years ago with a 6AL box used with an HEI. About all I could notice anyplace was a very slight improvement to idle quality with the box, no improvement anywhere else in the rpm range that we could tell or measure.

That information is probably NOT anything that Car Craft, Hot Rod or anyone else will ever print.......Cliff

[HWYSTR455]

Your right Cliff, they'll never print that stuff, would be shooting themselves in the foot.

I ran points for years and years, way past what most ran them, and they performed well. I changed to HEI mainly because I was at a point of getting a new engine harness.

I have a digital 6+ now in the daily driver, though have used the Accel 300+ before, with the Timing Computer, and really liked it. Too bad they don't make the Timing Computer anymore.

What I'd really like is the new Accel Gen 8 Ignition Control Module, or one of the new Thruster DFi boxes, but darn they're not cheap!

Jacobs was bought by Mr. Gasket....

[BILTIT]

Awesome deal, buy it now is 200! I was going to buy it but dont really need it since i have it all already.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEBI:IT&ih=018

[Cliff R]

Just to clarify the post above, it was not meant in any was to "bash" MSD and other mulitiple spark discharge boxes, or the distributors they sell. Just a simple dose of reality, don't believe everything you read in magazines when they start making comparisons of HUGE power gains with aftermarket parts.

To be quite honest, I've used and love custom built and aftermarket distributors, when you have no other options. Especially if the stock stuff is long gone or slam worn out. My FIRST choice in any build, would be to have a stock unit "upgraded", but in a lot of cases the logistics just don't allow for it.

The best feature of the boxes, is the rev limiter. The tiny gain of improved idle quality, and every so slightly better starts just doesn't mean enough to me to introduce the high percentage of potential failure of the unit. I just HATE walking, and, as one of my opponents the other night faced, engine woln't start in the semi-final round......MSD box took a dump.......Cliff

[Pontirag]

I am also suspect of any claims of HP improvements. Ignitions just dont work that way. All things being equal(As if!). one is no different than the other. In all honesty, I bought my box based on advertising hype. wasn't even a HP motor. Lots of miles on it though and the MSD box allowed me to bring the idle down to 425 rpm's smoothly and it would pull strongly at idle up a hill which it never could do befor. Started with a touch of the switch.

thier warrenty and quick turn around time impressed me. Customer service such that i dont have to worry and be frustrated to the point of anger. BIG PLUS. Have never needed it again after the one time. Quality, warrenty and Customer service evry time.

[TransAm525]

I agree, the gains are small. My goal is to refine the idle qualities, improve throttle response, and engine protection (rev limiter). The small amount of hp/torque gains are just icing on the cake. In fact, the instruction sheet for the Accel 300+ box states the for the user not to expect huge hp gains, but rather an improvement in idle quality and throttle response. The statement is on page 20 of this link: http://static.summitracing.com/globa.../acc-49300.pdf

I went with the Accel box after much research, which showed the 300+ providing the most power gain and the least failure rate than that of the competition, plus the compact size, digital circuitry, and weatherpack connectors were a huge selling point. The box can also be upgraded with the 375+ controller if I decide I want multiple rev limiters and timing retard adjustability. It seems there's not a lot of advertising for the Accel ignition boxes, which is too bad considering what the competition wants for the same component.

For anyone interested, here is the link to the last unit Amazon has in stock:

http://www.amazon.com/49300-Digital-.../dp/B00062YUPI

It looks like they found the pricing mistake and adjusted the price of the last item, but it's still cheaper than what Summit and Jegs want.

[BILTIT]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Your right Cliff, they'll never print that stuff, would be shooting themselves in the foot.

I ran points for years and years, way past what most ran them, and they performed well. I changed to HEI mainly because I was at a point of getting a new engine harness.

I have a digital 6+ now in the daily driver, though have used the Accel 300+ before, with the Timing Computer, and really liked it. Too bad they don't make the Timing Computer anymore.

What I'd really like is the new Accel Gen 8 Ignition Control Module, or one of the new Thruster DFi boxes, but darn they're not cheap!

Jacobs was bought by Mr. Gasket....

Summit still sells the timing computer.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku