which elctronic ign mod do you use??

Posted By: 72N96RR

which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 03:05 AM

One basically a warmed over stock motor say 350-400 hp would you stay with the factory black electronic ignition module or step up to the MP orange box...Are the advantages worth it or??
Some opinions would be greatly appreciated..

Posted By: GoodfellaHenry70

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 03:08 AM

I run Orange (Proudly made in Me'heco)Boxes.

I keep a black or orange box as spares in each car.

I think the black box provides steady spark up to 5000rpm and the orange good to 6500rpm.

Posted By: dave571

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 03:09 AM

If you are going to buy a better box, then I'd say go with the chrome box. The orange is only marginally better than a stock one.

I am using an FBO ignition box. It has similiar specs to a crome box.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 03:59 AM

I would not buy the orange box. Either the FBO ecu/ballast or the MP chrome box & I believe it takes the 1.25 ohm MP single ballast

Posted By: rt66jim

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 04:42 PM

I ran a Wells box purchased at Auzone Zone for years. Car ran 11.08 with it. I bought in to the idea it wasn't good enough. Purchased a FBO box and coil. The car still ran 11.08. If I needed a box a new box I'd go to AZ and save $50. JMO Jim

Posted By: 472 R/T SE

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 11:22 PM

I love the instant starts.

Posted By: MoparforLife

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 11:28 PM

There waas a write up in the Mopar mags a few years ago that stated that if your if your present ignition is working that the only real advantage to the higher priced systems is more bells and whistles.
I had at teh time I read this already switched from a home recurved OEM distriutor and chrome box to a Crane HI6 and MSD billet distributor. What did I gain nothing in performance or runnability. I gained the ease of setting the advance curve (whoopty doo) as if that is something that you do every day. Once it is set it is set.

Posted By: president61

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/17/09 11:57 PM

Quote:

There waas a write up in the Mopar mags a few years ago that stated that if your if your present ignition is working that the only real advantage to the higher priced systems is more bells and whistles.
I had at teh time I read this already switched from a home recurved OEM distriutor and chrome box to a Crane HI6 and MSD billet distributor. What did I gain nothing in performance or runnability. I gained the ease of setting the advance curve (whoopty doo) as if that is something that you do every day. Once it is set it is set.

I agree that high dollar stuff is over-rated. I'm not 80 years old either. I switched my Satelite over to electronic 17 years ago using stock parts from a junk yard. I haven't had a lick of problem ever. My 383 will rev to 6000 no problem too. A friend of mine had one of those MSD boxes take a poop at the track and it set him back $250!

Posted By: Crizila

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 12:36 AM

I went with a D.U.I. system. I don't need no stinking boxes, balasts, coil brackets, or anything else ignition related cluttering up my fire wall. One 12vlt wire ( and a tach wire) is all that's needed. The curve is easily adjustable and it puts out 50K+ open voltage on my distributor machine. Lights them all, every time!

Posted By: 383man

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 01:04 AM

I run the orange box on my 63 with the Acell super coil and I use a 1 ohm ballast. It was on my boys Dart and I took it when he switched to MSD. He ran no faster with the MSD. It has been on one of our cars since 1999. Ron

Posted By: goldduster318

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 01:07 AM

Quote:

I ran a Wells box purchased at Auzone Zone for years. Car ran 11.08 with it. I bought in to the idea it wasn't good enough. Purchased a FBO box and coil. The car still ran 11.08. If I needed a box a new box I'd go to AZ and save $50. JMO Jim

I agree. I have a wells box on my car and it runs strong and starts instantly. I do have an Accel Super Stock Street coil though.

Posted By: MoreParts

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 02:13 AM

I use a Pertronix. Had it for around 10 years, no problems. They're butt cheap and look stock.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 02:40 AM

Just picked up a ProComp hei dist on Ebay, $46. and a cheap Summit hei coil, no ballast. 2 wire hookup, fired right up.

Posted By: landon1

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 02:44 AM

I have the Procomp HEI as well, but with an Accel Superstock (no ballast)...great set-up for a street car imo

Posted By: polkat

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 05:04 AM

I learned about the HEI conversion (using the stock electronic mopar distributor) over on the slant 6 forum, and did the mod on my '73 dart 318. It's been runnign with no problems what so ever for 2 years now. Fast starts, and strong sparks. Does seem to get a trifle weak above 5000 rpm, but I'm sold.

Posted By: CrazyRocker70

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 05:11 AM

i saw a guy with a 340 powered duster running a gm 1 wire alternator and mallory distributor, anyone else seen this or have any insight on it?

Posted By: Hotwheelsjr

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 08:50 PM

There's been quite a debate over the years about the reliability of the orange box. I ran one for a little while before I switched over to a chrome box in my Demon. Ran the chrome box in my Demon for about 15 years with no issues. I now run MSD in the Demon, but run the chrome box in both my son's '73 RR (400) and my daughter's '67 B-cuda (225). Knock on wood...no problems with either.

Posted By: Mr T2U

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 10:23 PM

i run a MSD box without troubles.
the reason i like the aftermarket boxes because you can easily add advance and retard functions from the digital boxes, and actually set them up to do it at a certain rpm, or get add on boxes for the older non digital ones.
one other think people forget about multi-spark is it will usually improve idle quality especially if your AF mix isn't perfect.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/18/09 11:26 PM

I've run nothing but msd systems in my cars for years with no problems or breakdowns,same can't be said for mopar ignitions..i think its pretty sad when you need to carry spare ignition parts in the trunk for fear of a breakdown..

Posted By: Azzkikrcuda

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/19/09 01:57 AM

I have been running a chrome box that was used when I got it 10 years ago with no problems. I like to keep it simple, unless your running nitrous or forced induction then its worth stepping up.

Posted By: Joshs68

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/20/09 08:21 PM

chrome box w mopar distributor, new plugs that are the correct heat range, starts great.

Posted By: mark7171

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/20/09 08:50 PM

Did away with the harness a while ago. i use the $50 all in one 75 kv E coil/distributor/box procomp vacuum advance distributor.

What a great set up. ground it. contect it with 2 wires it is making fire. Brown and blue with white stripe were the wires i use.

It is awesome. mine came with 12-intial 2o mechanical, 10-15 in the can.

Posted By: Rug_Trucker

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/20/09 10:32 PM

Never had a MSD. Mopar boxes can be swapped cheaply and get you home.

I did have a Jacobs ProStreet on my van. That thing made the engine scream!! That was a few years ago and reliability was a big issue. If they were reliable I would get another system.

If it failed you could just swap coil wires and go on your merry way.

Pertronix? Where do you find extra parts when it quits in BFE?

The HEI sounds like where I am going to go with the slant in my Duster.

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/20/09 11:38 PM

Pertronix? Where do you find extra parts when it quits in BFE?

Well,.....I've never had a Pertronix fail me yet,......logged 10's of thousands of miles on cross country runs, Hotrod Power Tours, roadraces,etc,etc,etc, year after year........but, you just keep the old points and condensor in the glove box,.....if you ever need'em. easy swap over, or you carry a spare Pertronix Hallcell......But I haven't had the need to, for years now........when I ran points, or MP electronics,.....you always needing a spare set of points, condensor, and a ballast resistor, or if you had MP electronics, you needed a spare ECU, and a ballast resistor,........no ballast with Pertronix, although I do hang one on the firewall, with non-functioning wiring, just for the "original" look,......and if I ever do have a failure, just swap in a spare hallcell, easy as changing a rotor,.....or points and condensor, and replug the ballast into the actual system, a 10 minute job at best......

In the last 30+ years, I've had my share of factory, MP, accell, MSD, etc ignition systems,......a Pertronix done "properly", IMHO outperforms the other systems in reliability, and in many cases performance as well!

Posted By: TJP

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/21/09 01:17 AM

Quote:

I ran a Wells box purchased at Auzone Zone for years. Car ran 11.08 with it. I bought in to the idea it wasn't good enough. Purchased a FBO box and coil. The car still ran 11.08. If I needed a box a new box I'd go to AZ and save $50. JMO Jim

Posted By: aarcuda

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/21/09 02:00 AM

Quote:

Did away with the harness a while ago. i use the $50 all in one 75 kv E coil/distributor/box procomp vacuum advance distributor.

What a great set up. ground it. contect it with 2 wires it is making fire. Brown and blue with white stripe were the wires i use.

It is awesome. mine came with 12-intial 2o mechanical, 10-15 in the can.

comes with 12 initial???

Posted By: 440beeper

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 12:30 AM

Quote:

Pertronix? Where do you find extra parts when it quits in BFE?

Just keep the old points in glovebox...you could always swap it back on the side of the road if necessary.

Posted By: Rug_Trucker

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 12:36 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Pertronix? Where do you find extra parts when it quits in BFE?

Just keep the old points in glovebox...you could always swap it back on the side of the road if necessary.

No thanks!

Posted By: Dakota_Don

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 01:08 AM

I used the chrome box, then went with FBO, that lasted about 3K miles, then back to the chrome box,,

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 01:11 AM

I like the pertronix in a points dist to get a little better advance curve using stock stuff

been 9 yrs and no trouble yet,I have the 40,000 kv coil with it

as far as finding parts for it...never had to

its been 6200rpm bunch of times for me

just fixed a 85 dodge van for a old man thats been broke down for a week due to the stock elect crap

droped in a points dist and the pertronix is on the way for it

the shop has done sucked over 350$ of him and he got 5 miles and a tow home

he keeps starting it and go round the block and shut down..start it back up..he is

cant believe I hooked it up for him free of charge for him to get going

I told him if he keeps on the starter will need to be uped to a mini starter for it

points work on a hemi with 2-4 barrels and a 4-speed and turned over some 6000 rpms for yrs

whats wrong with simple now days

but thats my hickabilly shade tree

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 01:39 AM

i run stock boxes i get from a junkyard for 2 bucks. i had a mopar orange and it made no difference at all until it melted. didnt start any different, no more hp, i guess you get more rpms from an orange box but the highest ive ever ran my car was about 5000 just for a second or 2 while revving it.

Posted By: Rug_Trucker

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 11:59 AM

A friend had a Pertronix and it gave him nothing but trouble right out of the box. If they work good for you? That is nice. Just on a Sunday drive chances are if it craps out the parts have to be ordered. A whole ne distributor is what you would need to carry.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 12:42 PM

Quote:

i guess you get more rpms from an orange box but the highest ive ever ran my car was about 5000 just for a second or 2 while revving it.

I understand that orange boxes can retard timing at higher rpms. I have never checked one side by side w another ECU at the same rpm to see if it does but hearing that way back from some reputable tuners has made me refuse to buy one though I've had them on a few cars from prior owners & no obvious (that I could tell) issues

I've use a stock hei ECU & it ran OK & especially it started MUCH easier. I was given an aftermarket hei one that I plan to use & get the bracket that mounts it up under our dist.

Posted By: BurntOrange

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 02:41 PM

Quote:

A friend had a Pertronix and it gave him nothing but trouble right out of the box. If they work good for you? That is nice. Just on a Sunday drive chances are if it craps out the parts have to be ordered. A whole new distributor is what you would need to carry.

Never had a problem but have the points/cond. in the glovebox just in case. Easy to put back in if in a pinch. Waiting for the IgnitorIII Distributor and coil to be available.

Posted By: RodStRace

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/22/09 02:53 PM

The stock Mopar EI was/is the most reliable out there. GM burnt caps and rotors, had module issues some years. Ford,

Sure, there have been mopar module failures, but that's as esay as carrying a new box- plug it in and go if your grounds are good.
How many threads have there been on MSD boxes? They seem to be much more 'touchy' IMHO.
I've got one on the race car and haven't had issues

but they do seem to be tougher to diagnose.

Posted By: Wheeler

Re: which elctronic ign mod do you use?? - 04/23/09 05:40 AM

About 5 years ago, I installed the FBO A688 ignition kit in my 1985 Dodge D150 truck (stock 318 V8 with an Edelbrock Performer intake and Q-Jet carb, Hedman headers and dual exhausts).The truck idled smoother and started a little quicker, but I couldn't tell you if it was faster (I never did a performance comparison).

The FBO ignition was reliable and trouble free but I had problems with the Standard RU11 ballast resistor that was supplied with the kit (the ballast resistor burned out twice - the first time it happened, it left me stranded on the freeway

). I installed the stock ballast resistor and the truck was fine.

On a side note - the stock black ignition box that was originally on the truck was reliable - never had a problem with it.

If I was in the market for a high performance ignition system for my Mopar, I would be taking a hard look at the MSD Ready to Run distributor or a HEI ignition (Davis Unified, Procomp).

If you wanted to stick with a conventional Chrysler electronic ignition box, I would go with the FBO ignition box and coil, or a Mopar Performance Chrome Box.