HEI to Vortec distributor?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Sparks, NV
Car: 91 Corvette
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: ZF6
Axle/Gears: 4.10
HEI to Vortec distributor?
I picked up an Lt1 intake for my 91 Corvette, looking to put a Vortec style (small diameter) distributor on it. Anyone here done this swap before?
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 181
From: Milwaukee
Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: HEI to Vortec distributor?
You mean a large cap to small cap HEI swap? It's been done numerous times. Google sarch "large cap to small cap hei" and a lot of threads will appear. Corvette owners swap a lot and early third gens swap when they want a stealth ram. vettteoz posted this years ago...
If you have the std electronic HEI dist with four wire connector you can get a large cap to small cap conversion harness here $15
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonn..._pigtails.aspx
Mike can also do you the small cap dist 2 pin coil plug with a long pigtail to hook up the remote coil
As stated above use any F-body small cap dist and remote coil.
Pink 12V wire from HEI cap goes to coil +
White tacho wire goes to coil -
Pink and white on new pigtail go from coil to new dist
Adapter harness takes care of the ECM advance control side of things
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonn..._pigtails.aspx
Mike can also do you the small cap dist 2 pin coil plug with a long pigtail to hook up the remote coil
As stated above use any F-body small cap dist and remote coil.
Pink 12V wire from HEI cap goes to coil +
White tacho wire goes to coil -
Pink and white on new pigtail go from coil to new dist
Adapter harness takes care of the ECM advance control side of things
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Sparks, NV
Car: 91 Corvette
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: ZF6
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Re: HEI to Vortec distributor?
You mean a large cap to small cap HEI swap? It's been done numerous times. Google sarch "large cap to small cap hei" and a lot of threads will appear. Corvette owners swap a lot and early third gens swap when they want a stealth ram. vettteoz posted this years ago...
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,962
Likes: 2,471
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: HEI to Vortec distributor?
Large cap = 74 - 86? size
Small cap = 87? - 95 size
Vortec = 96-2000 "crab" style
The LT1 intake doesn't have a hole for a distributor at all. Once you put the hole in it, it accommodates a distributor, which then replaces the little thing they put down in there to drive the oil pump. All distributors are the same as far as fitting into the hole. They all fit the same, except for cap diameter. The problem there would of course be the cap hitting the back of the plenum. The small-cap style (NOT Vortec) is well and widely known to fit. Not sure whether the large cap style will, but I kinda have my doubts, without modifying the plenum, which might be necessary in any case in addition to installing the hole, I can't recall exactly what's back there. The Vortec style might fit but I don't have any personal knowledge.
Have the hole put in your intake, and then see which kind will go in without hitting the rear of the plenum.
Since this is a 82-92 Camaro/Firebird forum, devoted EXCLUSIVELY to 82-92 Camaro/Firebird, NOT a general "tech" Q&A and NOT for Corvette, you might have better luck on a Vette forum.
Small cap = 87? - 95 size
Vortec = 96-2000 "crab" style
The LT1 intake doesn't have a hole for a distributor at all. Once you put the hole in it, it accommodates a distributor, which then replaces the little thing they put down in there to drive the oil pump. All distributors are the same as far as fitting into the hole. They all fit the same, except for cap diameter. The problem there would of course be the cap hitting the back of the plenum. The small-cap style (NOT Vortec) is well and widely known to fit. Not sure whether the large cap style will, but I kinda have my doubts, without modifying the plenum, which might be necessary in any case in addition to installing the hole, I can't recall exactly what's back there. The Vortec style might fit but I don't have any personal knowledge.
Have the hole put in your intake, and then see which kind will go in without hitting the rear of the plenum.
Since this is a 82-92 Camaro/Firebird forum, devoted EXCLUSIVELY to 82-92 Camaro/Firebird, NOT a general "tech" Q&A and NOT for Corvette, you might have better luck on a Vette forum.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Sparks, NV
Car: 91 Corvette
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: ZF6
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Re: HEI to Vortec distributor?
Large cap = 74 - 86? size
Small cap = 87? - 95 size
Vortec = 96-2000 "crab" style
The LT1 intake doesn't have a hole for a distributor at all. Once you put the hole in it, it accommodates a distributor, which then replaces the little thing they put down in there to drive the oil pump. All distributors are the same as far as fitting into the hole. They all fit the same, except for cap diameter. The problem there would of course be the cap hitting the back of the plenum. The small-cap style (NOT Vortec) is well and widely known to fit. Not sure whether the large cap style will, but I kinda have my doubts, without modifying the plenum, which might be necessary in any case in addition to installing the hole, I can't recall exactly what's back there. The Vortec style might fit but I don't have any personal knowledge.
Have the hole put in your intake, and then see which kind will go in without hitting the rear of the plenum.
Since this is a 82-92 Camaro/Firebird forum, devoted EXCLUSIVELY to 82-92 Camaro/Firebird, NOT a general "tech" Q&A and NOT for Corvette, you might have better luck on a Vette forum.
Small cap = 87? - 95 size
Vortec = 96-2000 "crab" style
The LT1 intake doesn't have a hole for a distributor at all. Once you put the hole in it, it accommodates a distributor, which then replaces the little thing they put down in there to drive the oil pump. All distributors are the same as far as fitting into the hole. They all fit the same, except for cap diameter. The problem there would of course be the cap hitting the back of the plenum. The small-cap style (NOT Vortec) is well and widely known to fit. Not sure whether the large cap style will, but I kinda have my doubts, without modifying the plenum, which might be necessary in any case in addition to installing the hole, I can't recall exactly what's back there. The Vortec style might fit but I don't have any personal knowledge.
Have the hole put in your intake, and then see which kind will go in without hitting the rear of the plenum.
Since this is a 82-92 Camaro/Firebird forum, devoted EXCLUSIVELY to 82-92 Camaro/Firebird, NOT a general "tech" Q&A and NOT for Corvette, you might have better luck on a Vette forum.
Thanks for the info guys!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post