Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

distributor/ignition upgrade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 05:47 PM
  #1  
keithcynthia's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: texas
Car: 1984 camaro
Engine: 350 ci.
Transmission: automatic 3 speed.
Axle/Gears: stock?
distributor/ignition upgrade

I have a 84 camaro running a mildly built 350.I am curious about what distributor ,ignition to use.My car is getting so work done before hand.but does anyone have a good idea of a descent distributor setup to use and plugs also.currectly motor is 350 running a mild cam,victor Jr intake,holley 650,headers.etc..plus a few miss...thanks.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 12:06 AM
  #2  
Night rider327's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 17
From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: distributor/ignition upgrade

1st off the Vic jr. intake is hurting you. The big single plan is killing low and mid range torque and your mild engine can not RPM enough to benefit from it's high RPM gain.

You will see an improment with an edelbrock performer rpm intake. I have a pretty wild 355 and have yet to make the swap to the Vic jr. I'm still running the performer RPM.

No mild engine will see any real power gains from any of the trick ignition systems out there. If it's an N/A engine, no spray or boost, under 6500 rpm, cam smaller than about 245* @ .050", 450 HP or so or less a good old HEI distributor will work just as good as anything else.

GM stock HEI or skip white $69 HEI, summit $99 HEI.

Only thing you really need to do is recurve the distributor. A recurve kit is less than $10. Keep your stock weights and center plates, just use the springs out of the kit and set it so your get all your mech. advance in around 3000-3200 rpm. "

I ran a pretty much stock HEI to 11.40's @ 118 mph in 1/4 mile, shifting at 6400 rpm

Use good plug wires with low resistance. I like MSD 8.5mm wires. They only have around 50 ohms per foot.

Plug brands and types, again the fancy gimmicks are not real. I only use AC delco, NGK v power, or autolite plugs

Plug number depends on what heads you have, heat range depends on your combo, compression, rpm, etc.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 07:07 AM
  #3  
eseibel67's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 10
From: Kitchener, ON
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: distributor/ignition upgrade

Yes, stock HEI ignition is good until you get into really high power levels. It doesn't look good, but it works good.


Breaker point ignition used in the old muscle cars needed upgrading. GM cars 1974 and newer do not.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Linson
Auto Detailing and Appearance
28
Oct 24, 2025 02:00 PM
smnichol86
Brakes
26
Mar 26, 2017 10:55 PM
BADNBLK
Brakes
11
Oct 6, 2015 02:51 PM
Zell1luk
TPI
0
Sep 29, 2015 10:36 AM
dbrochard
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
8
Sep 25, 2015 04:56 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:20 AM.