I've been thinking about upgrading my stock HEI ignition, but I don't no to what extent I should bother. I replaced the cap and rotor with standard gm parts about 9 monthes ago, but the ignition coil (which is a POS), has been in there about 8 years. I also think I should replace the distributor wiring while I'm at it.

Are there any parts that you guys would recommend, particularly a good ignition coil?

 

I went with the Accel distributor and coil for my set up, but that comes from switching from CC dist. to a non-CC system. If you upgrade the internal electronics, first be sure that they will be compatable with the system you have on there (computer or non). As far as coils go, the Accel HEI coil is the cheap way to get a decent coil on there, as well as a MSD coil (both will run you $35-40). If you want to go with a multiple spark system, Mallory and MSD are comparable, mallory being the cheaper of the two typically. The 6A box will run you around 150-200, and the 6AL box will run you 200-250. The internal electronics I went with were all accel (as they came with the dist.) but I doubt you would notice an improvement over the stock module. The module from accel is around $45, and the wiring is about $20. Hope this helps,

 

Don't waste the money. The stock ignition is more than adequate and is of good quality. The stock Delco electronics and good 'ole Packard wires work as good as any aftermarket junk. I have looked at stock plugs after 50k on cars using the stock ignition and assuming the engine is in good shape they look fine. To me thats the best judge. In the old days upgrading from points to electronic aftermarket made sense, today it's just hype to get you to part with your money. There is a lot of pressure to sell so called high performance parts, but in almost all cases any improvement is all in your mind. Buying horsepower after the engine is built is the most expensive of all.

 

I bought the car with a beefed up stock ignition, but a mechanc ripped me off and took the racing coil and added a cheap POS. I saw a firebird at the junkyard yesterday with a completely new ignition system, so I think I'll just haggle for that.