I need an ignition box, distributor, and coil. If I can get great performance and still keep it cheap I would like to. I will be running the edelbrock performer package. I want to spend no more than 400 on all. What suggestions do yall have. HEI or point type??

------------------
Bright red 87 GTA with 350 tuneport. Basic mods such as K&N filter, Flowmasters, Wells MAF, TPIS air foil, Accel 8.8mm plug wires with , Accel distributor cap and rotary buttons.Gutted cat. B&M Shift kit, 100HP shot Nitrous, soon to change over to carburator.

 

Absolutely, positively, stay away from points!

If you go with HEI, upgrade it with module, coil, spring/weights (advance curve), and adjustable vacuum advance. You'll stay within your $400 budget easily.

Most any aftermarket distributor, such as MSD, Accel (some say stay away from Accel) or Mallory would be acceptable, and still within budget.

Add-on boxes such as MSD-6 or Jacobs may help, but aren't absolutely necessary and will probably bust your budget.

Whatever you do, though, stay away from points!

------------------
82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.73 unlimited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LB9 w/ZZ3 cam, TBD heads, exhaust, paint, etc.).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

 

Now, which is more vital to the overall system, a good distributor or a good ignition?If I spend less money in one are which area should i choose. I was thinking of getting a junkyard distributor, petronix rebuild kit with coil and a MSD 6AT. This way I can still put the rev limiter on it.Sound like a good way to go?

------------------
Bright red 87 GTA with 350 tuneport. Basic mods such as K&N filter, Flowmasters, Wells MAF, TPIS air foil, Accel 8.8mm plug wires with , Accel distributor cap and rotary buttons.Gutted cat. B&M Shift kit, 100HP shot Nitrous, soon to change over to carburator.

 

I assume you mean the Petronix conversion kit, which I have on the 396. The Petronix is an ignition system, just add a coil. Most electronic ignition distributors are a total system with external coil. The MSD is an add-on, as is the Jacobs I have triggered by the Petronix (except the Jacobs replaces the coil as well).

What you're talking about sounds fine. You probably should ensure the shaft is in good shape, shim up the gear, get an adjustable vacuum advance, have it recurved (or get a kit and recurve it yourself) and get the total advance dialed in. Use a good cap & rotor, coil, and wires. Should stay within your $400 budget and have a nice system.

 

Oh, if you have a roller cam, make sure you get a gear that is compatible.