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GM HEI Conversion #1002559
05/29/11 11:47 PM
05/29/11 11:47 PM
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70duster340 Offline OP
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Has anybody done this conversion? If so, got any pics? I am planning on it myself, but am not sure of how to mount it, wire it, etc.

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 70duster340] #1002560
05/30/11 12:07 AM
05/30/11 12:07 AM
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Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
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'75 chebby module w the (4) 1/4" male terminals. (B) goes to switched 12V (C) to coil neg primary. Other 2 go to dist & must b polarity correct. Mount on a piece of alum w dielectric grease between the 2 for heat dissipation. Can mount/hide it under the dist by fabbing a plate & someone offers that plate but it's pricey & it's easy to do yourself.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 70duster340] #1002561
05/30/11 01:22 AM
05/30/11 01:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,639
Brandon, Ms
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cornet684me Offline
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Brandon, Ms
i did this on my 68'dodge 440/727, i got a new dist off ebay, from skipwhite performance, about 50.00 and also switched to a e-coil about 30.00 , for under 100.00 i switched over, very easy switch,
drop in dist, 2 wires, red , hot to coil, black ground to coil, then
12v wire to hot on coil , no ballest or ign. box,

runs great, i also wired up the alternator wire to the starter relay,
Madelectric.com amp gauge bypass.

car cranks easier, runs about 13.5 volts


Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: cornet684me] #1002562
05/30/11 01:27 AM
05/30/11 01:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,639
Brandon, Ms
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cornet684me Offline
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Brandon, Ms
Mopar HEI Conversion Bracket

This is a nice bracket that mounts the GM HEI module to the bottom of any Chrysler V8 electronic distributor. Bolt this on and dump the ballast resistor forever! It is also very nice for use in older Mopar vehicles where you don't want to mount a large ignition box to your firewall. This is the cheapest route I know of to obtain a powerful ignition system for your mopar.


The Chrysler distributor wires from the pickup plug right into the GM module. The other two terminals on the module go to the coil. The bracket mounts the module beneath the vacuum advance to partially hide it and provide full rotation of the distributor for ease of timing. Hiding it under the vacuum advance also helps to maintain a clean appearance.



The bracket mounts to the bottom of the distributor using the original drain holes on the distributor. No drilling is required. Just file away any casting flash and tap the drain holes to bolt it on.



This bracket can be used on both small and big block Mopar V8 electronic distributors. That is; 318, 340, 360, 383, 400, 413, 426, and 440. It will not work on the Mopar slant 6 electronic distributor. Sorry.



For older motors like the 331,354,392 Hemi and poly motors, I recommend purchasing a new oil pump shaft from Hot Heads to adapt the later small block Chrysler distributor to work with them. The photo below shows the distributor on a 4-carb 392 Hemi. No clearance problems even in a tight space like this.



The bracket is aluminum which has been coated with a gold-colored film to prevent corrosion and comes with all stainless steel hardware and electrical terminals for the pickup. Full wiring and mounting instructions are also included.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To help clear up some confusion about HEI ignition systems, I have written some answers to commonly asked questions.
What is HEI?
HEI is a term used by GM that stands for High Energy Ignition. An HEI ignition system uses a highly efficient control module that is capable of switching a large amount of energy to the spark plugs AND a high power coil with low primary resistance that can provide that power. Power is current, voltage and time so if any of these factors are lessened, the power available to your plugs is decreased.

Are all electronic ignition systems HEI systems too?
No. The original Chrysler electronic ignition system is not an HEI system. First, it requires a ballast resistor in the primary circuit to decrease the power going through the control module. It was not designed to switch that much power and will fail if you run it without the resistor. Second, it uses a relatively low power coil. The old canister style coil can't put out the kind of power that an HEI system can without overheating the coil.

Is Pertronix an HEI system?
Ignitor I
The Pertronix Ignitor I is not HEI becuase it requires a minimum of 1.5 ohms primary resistance similar to the original Chrysler system.
Ignitor II
From the description of the Ignitor II, it sounds like it uses technology similar to the original GM module, so qualitatively, it may perform similarly. I have never used the Ignitor II to compare it directly.

What is the difference between an HEI coil and a canister style coil?
An HEI coil has very low primary resistance, typically in the range of .3 to .5 ohms. This is the total resistance of the primary circuit and allows a large amount of power to build in the system. A canister style coil requires from 1.0 to 1.5 ohms to survive without overheating. The coil used in HEI systems is a different design, called an E-core because of its shape. This design of coil is inherently more efficient, resulting in less noise (good for computer systems) and less heat. The picture below on the left is a typical canister style coil, and the one on the right is an E-core coil. Both pictures are from www.summitracing.com


Can I use an HEI coil on my Chrysler electronic ignition?
Yes you can because both systems use coils with primary resistances of around .5 ohms. However, you must retain the ballast resistor for the control module, so the total resistance will still be around 1.5 ohms and the power that your coil will put out will be limited by it.

If I use a GM HEI ignition module, can I remove my ballast resistor?
Yes you can as long as you either
1. Use an HEI E-core coil with low resistance or
2. Use a canister coil with 1.0 to 1.5 ohms resistance. This resistance is required for the coil, not the ignition module.
You must retain the ballast reistor if you wish to
3. Use the stock Chrysler coil with .5 ohms resistance. The ballast resistor here will prevent the stock coil from overheating.
The HEI ignition module enables you to use less primary resistance, but will function fine if you wish to use more resistance.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The price is $38.50 + $2 shipping (anywhere in US) for the HEI conversion bracket and all stainless steel hardware to mount it to your electronic distributor. A discounted shipping rate will automatically be applied for multiple orders. Contact me for shipping rates outside the US.


To order:
Email for a shipping quote outside the USA or to get an address for sending a check or money order. Check or money orders will receive $1.50 discount each for not using Paypal.
OR

Pay me through Paypal at the email address: designed2drive@gmail.com



If you have any questions, you can contact me at:
mailto:designed2drive@gmail.com?subject=Mopar HEI Conversion

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: cornet684me] #1002563
05/30/11 01:28 AM
05/30/11 01:28 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,639
Brandon, Ms
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cornet684me Offline
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Brandon, Ms
this is a bracket that i found on the internet if you want to do it like Robert is explaining


Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: cornet684me] #1002564
05/30/11 01:37 AM
05/30/11 01:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,639
Brandon, Ms
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cornet684me Offline
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Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: cornet684me] #1002565
05/30/11 12:41 PM
05/30/11 12:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,305
Lakewood, Colorado
herkamer Offline
pro stock
herkamer  Offline
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Posts: 1,305
Lakewood, Colorado
Here's how I did mine. Made a heatsink to fit inside a factory box. I have 7 pins because of timing control for the TBI.

6657886-ign.JPG (8889 downloads)

Matt
69 Dart Swinger 340
83 W350, Megasquirted with 46RH
Old news: 72 Demon street/race mobile
Latest: 70 Duster backhalf car
and even more
Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: herkamer] #1002566
05/30/11 11:00 PM
05/30/11 11:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,443
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70duster340 Offline OP
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Thanks, herkamer. How did you know what pins to solder the wires to?

Let's keep 'em coming, please! I would like to have many ideas to choose from.

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 70duster340] #1002567
05/30/11 11:26 PM
05/30/11 11:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,443
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70duster340 Offline OP
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70duster340  Offline OP
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Got another question for ya. Can a canister type coil be used in this conversion?

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 70duster340] #1002568
05/31/11 12:38 AM
05/31/11 12:38 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,305
Lakewood, Colorado
herkamer Offline
pro stock
herkamer  Offline
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Posts: 1,305
Lakewood, Colorado
I had both diagrams from the stock Chrysler ignition module and the HEI. With a 4 wire unit which is the standard non-computer controlled one, you should be able to match the 4 pins to the corresponding function. 1 is switched 12v, 2 go to the VR in the distributor, and the other to the negative of the coil. It was pretty easy, but I also have 3 other wires that come in the top for timing control. Looks stock at a glance. I'm using a MSD blaster which still requires a ballast resistor. You can find coils which will take 12v and get a hotter spark. They come in all kinds of packages.

Here's one of the diagrams I used. Explains HEI also

http://www.allpar.com/fix/electronic-ignition.html


Matt
69 Dart Swinger 340
83 W350, Megasquirted with 46RH
Old news: 72 Demon street/race mobile
Latest: 70 Duster backhalf car
and even more
Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: herkamer] #1002569
05/31/11 10:23 PM
05/31/11 10:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,443
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70duster340 Offline OP
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70duster340  Offline OP
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Thanks much!!!

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 70duster340] #1002570
06/01/11 07:55 AM
06/01/11 07:55 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish Offline
master
GO_Fish  Offline
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Posts: 6,167
Maryland
I read once that HEI would crossfire on a smaller diameter Mopar distributor cap???


Scott B. "I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!" 68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph 69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph 01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 70duster340] #1002571
06/01/11 11:33 AM
06/01/11 11:33 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,436
Blair County,PA
62maxwgn Offline
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62maxwgn  Offline
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Blair County,PA
Show up around here with a GM distributor in your Mopar and you will be scorned!! Fellow showed up last year at a all Mopar show with a beautiful 41 Plymouth coupe,small block Chevy,he was ask to leave.

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 62maxwgn] #1002572
06/01/11 12:23 PM
06/01/11 12:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,443
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70duster340 Offline OP
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70duster340  Offline OP
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Nope, not using a GM distributor

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 62maxwgn] #1002573
06/01/11 05:42 PM
06/01/11 05:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,883
Northern OH
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rapom Offline
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Northern OH
Here's a mopar distributer that has an HEI unit built in it. I ran it for a over a year with no problems. I had to shim mine a lot though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Ply...sQ5fAccessories

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: rapom] #1002574
06/04/11 01:19 AM
06/04/11 01:19 AM
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Posts: 1,443
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70duster340 Offline OP
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70duster340  Offline OP
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Why did you have to shim it?

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 62maxwgn] #1002575
06/04/11 01:30 AM
06/04/11 01:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,025
Las Vegas, NV
dodgeboy11 Offline
super stock
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Las Vegas, NV
Quote:

Show up around here with a GM distributor in your Mopar and you will be scorned!! Fellow showed up last year at a all Mopar show with a beautiful 41 Plymouth coupe,small block Chevy,he was ask to leave.




That's pretty gay, shoulda asked him to leave the hood down. I think it's one of the stupidest things ever to scorn another brand just because it isn't a mopar. Might as well be like ford and change the numbering of the cylinders so nobody realizes they have the same firing order as a chevy and dodge.
I say if it makes it run better, run it. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for it. Run a 9" ford axle in the back if you want. Who cares? It's your car, do with it what you want.

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: 70duster340] #1002576
06/04/11 10:00 PM
06/04/11 10:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,883
Northern OH
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rapom Offline
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Northern OH
The tooth at the bottom was to long and the distributer didn't sit flush on the intake. I later grinded it down so only needed one gasket.

Re: GM HEI Conversion [Re: rapom] #1002577
06/06/11 11:15 PM
06/06/11 11:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,443
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70duster340 Offline OP
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70duster340  Offline OP
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Is this still a problem with this distributor?







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