I'm planning on upgrading my ignition in a while. I am planning on Accel cap/rotor, module, and coil, plus maybe some Moroso wires. Oh, by the way, my engine is an '89 350 TPI. Anyways, after the ignition stuff, I want to put in a JET (Stage 2 I think it is) chip in it since I got my "free flowing" exhaust done last week. Do you think the module, plus the chip is going to be too much "spark" and give me too much timing? (I don't know anything about timing so help me here.) Basically, what I am asking if this setup is too much for my engine. Oh, I will also have K&N filter before I do all this if that helps any. If I get it all set up properly (like taking it to my mechanic and get the laser thingy flashed at it to fix the timing or whatever) I shouldn't have any problem should I? As you can tell I have no ideal what I'm talking about the help would be appreciated. Thanks. -89IRO

 

Personally much of what you want to do is a waste of money. If the block is stock the factory ignition and prom programming is more than sufficient. trust me, been there and done that with cars and sportbikes. The aftermarket chip only give you a slightly more aggressive timing curve, it's just not worth it. trying to gain more hp after the fact runs around $75-100 bucks/horse and usually comes at the expense of something else as far as driveability is concerned. I run a zz-4 block and I put everything back to stock right down to the packard stock wires. She will twist the frame if you want but it also gets 24mpg on the highway in od. if you are going to keep her put the money for aftermarket crap in a jar and save it for improvements that really get you want you want. just my humble 2C.

 

All of the things you listed will not help you in the performance of a stock engine.

The ignition upgrades you mentioned are not needed as the stock HEI ignition will do the job fine up to about 450-500HP. That's when aftermarket ignition systems are needed, the higher cylinder pressures demand a more spark energy for proper mixture burn.

An AC Delco is the only ignition module I would ever use, all the rest fail early and offer no performance increase at all. If your cap/rotor are worn go ahead and feel free to replace with whatever manufacture you want. Anything is better then worn out parts.

Likewise the factory coil is fine unless defective, save your money till you need to replace it due to failure.

Now lets talk about this Jet (or any aftermarket) chip you're talking about. They are all junk and you will not see any differance at all. I burn my own chips and have looked at the files of the "off the shelf" chip manufactures, they change nothing really, maybe a little more spark at WOT and lower fan turn on temps but nothing else. Total wast of what, $150-250 for a chip that lowers fan temps? If you wanna get started burning your own chips or need assitance/advice then e-mail me at john@lt1intake.com

 

O.K., so if I forget about the chip, if I ever wanted to run a bit cooler, I could always throw in a cooler fan switch in the block right? As far as the ignition, if I do the Accel cap/rotor, coil, and some good wires- I think that should take care of the ignition. What are your thoughts on the module though? Oh, and why would I be interested in burning my own chips if you guys say they don't work? -89IRO

 

The aftermarket ignition modules are junk compared to AC Delco modules. Whenever yours goes bad get the Delco one. There is no performance to be had by an ignition module though.

Now about burning chips. I said "off the shelf" chips suck because there is only very minor changes made to keep everything legal. No real performance without getting aggressive.

If you want to get aggressive then a CUSTOM chip is where it's at. There is power to be had when custom burning a chip. E-mail me and I can give you some good suggestions or even help you in the right direction with a custom chip.

 

Thanks for the help but I don't think I'm interested in burning a chip. -89IRO

 

Well if you ever decide you want a custom chip then give me a call. I re-program to your specs.

 

O.K. so how much HP can you get out of my engine on top of those ignition upgrades above, high flow cat., Spintech muffler, and K&Ns (Engine is an '89 350 TPI) while still keeping street/smog legal and having good drivability. Since I live in Ca, it aint going to happen. Sorry. -89IRO

 

Most of what you think you gain is normally in your head. John put it perfectly. If you are looking to change something specific then editing the prom may help, but generally you only know that by a dyno or several track runs. I have done many of the same type of things with my bikes over the years trying to stay at the head of the pack and I do have the benefit of a dyno for that on a regular basis. Nothing I ever tried gave me as good a torque curve and smooth power delivery as stock. Everything is a compromise. The only way to see an substancial HP gain is to change the engine.