I'm thinking of adding a new ignition set-up to my mod list (which will be carried out in spring) and was wondering what you recommend, how much it costs and how much power it will give me. Also, how difficult is it all to fit?

Plus, how easy is it to increase the fuel pressure? I read it in a tech article somewhere and it seems like a cheap way for more hp. Anyone know how much it costs?

Thanks for the help

Rob

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1987 IROC-Z Auto (LB9)
Black/grey with the stance of a streetfighter

Mods
Custom exhaust. 4 Inch pipe from the headders all the way back to a single muffler at the rear. No Cat.

Future mods:
K&Ns
RAM Air
New Underdrive pulleys-either March performance pulleys or Auto Specialties Performance
Air foil

 

You will see no meaningful HP gain from an ignition upgrade. I've been through this lord know how many times. Even if you get a full-on MSD ignition amplifier box you will likely see less than 5 HP improvement. Fuel mileage will come up almost a full MPG. But again- very very little HP improvement.

Those underdrive pulleys you are thinking about will do a LOT more to improve the performance of your car than an ignition upgrade ever will.

THe only part on the GM ignition system I would upgrade is the coil- they are pretty weak. You can do that for less than $40 and get 80% of the improvement of an ignition amplifier box.

One exception- nitroused or supercharged engines- they WILL benefit from an ignition amplifier box setup due to the radically increased cylinder pressures in those applications.

 

A well tuned HEI with aftermarket coil and module is all you need.

Be careful with those underdrive pulleys. At idle, they will not spin the alternator or water pump enough....both bad things.


Mike

 

Nothing will work better on your car the way it is, than AC delco stuff. The only aftermarket ignition parts I would use would be an MSD box.

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91 Formula
305 TPI 5speed
1LE/G92/WS6
Custom cold air intake w/K&N, SLP airfoil, ported plenum, TB coolant bypass,Crane AFPR (47psi),94 octane,Crane Extruded Alum. 1.6 full roller rockers, Timing set from 4*BTDC to 10*BTDC,MSD6AL, Holley 9mm Annihilator Laser shot 50 wires, Ac Delco cap,rotor and plugs, Bosch O2sensor, SLP 1 5/8 headers,SLP catback,3:73s,JET 195* fan switch, Macewen white face gauges, Intellitronix Digital Gauges

Street legal with stock throttle body, runners,intake manifold,cam, and heads.

 

Damon

I was actually thinking of scraping the idea of the pulleys as a few people told me they felt no difference with them in.

I'm not sure if I want them though if it will cause problems with the waterpump and alternator. Is it something that you think I should drop from my my mods list?

Thanks again

Rob


------------------
1987 IROC-Z Auto (LB9)
Black/grey with the stance of a streetfighter

Mods
Custom exhaust. 4 Inch pipe from the headders all the way back to a single muffler at the rear. No Cat.

Future mods:
K&Ns
RAM Air
New Underdrive pulleys-either March performance pulleys or Auto Specialties Performance
Air foil

 

Your water pump will do just fine with up to a 25% underdrive assuming its in good condition to begin with. The alternator may get a bit grumpy, though. If you have a big stereo and driving lights, etc, etc. you might have a problem, especially if you spend a lot of time idong in traffic. If you spend 99% of your time at normal speeds, moving forward you will have no problems at all. It's a try it and see kinda thing. If you find you have charging problems then you can always buy an alternator OVERDRIVE pulley later and bring that accessory up to speed.

Underdrive pulleys are one of those bolt-ons that never show any HP gain on a dyno but almost always make the car faster in the real world. Don't know why but that's been my expereince every time I've used them.