IF you want a factory style electronic ignition package I would go to FBO... and get your
distributor re-curved with their package
also use their black ignition wires...
while your at it..

For an electronic setup, there is nothing better than what FBO does... PERIOD...

Forget, the MP kit, it is a flawed kit right out of the box. I would'nt even fool with it...

However,

The digital multi-spark systems out there from
MSD, Mallory, Jacobs etc..when they work..are absolutely better than the factory style
electronic setups..

Whether you go for a CD (capacitive discharge)
type ignition system or and inductive type (example: jacobs mileage master)
either one of those gives you multiple sparks per cylinder upto 3500 rpm
after 3500rpm its all just one spark...

I went with the digital system and had FBO
recurve the distributor. I've owned my 318 since
1982..

car runs fantastic..better today than EVER!
smooth, fast, quiet, and reliable (so far!)

Best of luck to you!

old318 did you have an issue with the MP dist? I have an FBO coil/ecu & was considering one for the adjustability & I understand it is made by Mallory? who I figure has better quality control than MP does.

The problem I have with the MSD or Petronics stuff is that when they fail they leave your car dead on the road and you know its gonna happen when you at that show thats 250 miles from home. With the stock MP stuff you can swap out the control box/ballast/mag trigger and be on your way. My orange box has been on my car since 83 but I always carry a spare box,ballast res and coil in my car. The car in the orig post above would run just fine with points and a better coil. Others have had orange boxes fail but I have 50-60 passes at the track with mine in the last 5yrs. The MP stuff is simple and reliable for a mild street/strip car.

I have the Crane HI6s box and coil with an MSD distributor in my 68 RR. Very nice and digital with rev limiter built in. For the money I'd consider the Crane ignition over the MSD 6AL.I
had problems with an MSD rev limiter on my MP
distributor. MSD says it won't work properly with a hall effects style pick up. If the new 440 source distributors will fire a Crane box that would be the way to go and definately get a vacuum advance unit. You need all the timing you can get (like 52 degrees as apposed to 38) to get any MPG...(I know I said MPG!!!)

the ready to run dist will run with out the box

MSD 6AL and Pro Billit Distributer, rev limiter and easy to change curve and stop.

If you go FBO be careful, they are getting sloppy, it took them two tries and the advance range was still way off. When I returned the distributer I did a google maps view and the distributer was going back to some house in a a neighborhood, 100+ miles away from Don's. I bet hes got some kid set up with a distributer machine in a garage setting these things up now.

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to keep it simple and old school with the Mopar Performance Kit. Im not going to have someone build my distributor for me. That goes against the whole reason I'm rebuilding this car every nut and bolt. I've done everything so far and learned about it so I'm going to learn how and set up my own distributor as well. Thanks again

With the mopar performance one you can buy the mallory kit and adjust everything yourself. You might want to try that before having someone else do it.

The current generation of orange mopar ignition boxes do not work very well. They have a tendency to retard the timing and create other maladies. The other problem is you think the car runs great with the orange box or at least ok..until you try something else. With that in mind the mopar set up is still the simplest way to go and I would just substitute the black FBO box for the orange box.