I’m trying to find out if my 1984 Trans-Am (original 305HO) has a remote ignition coil or if it’s in the distributor. Admittedly, I’m very ignorant when it comes to things like wiring and ignition systems. I have a buddy wanting to help me tune my car, he said to get a performance ignition coil before we tune it, but I’m not sure where the coil is in my engine bay. He looked briefly, also at night, and couldn’t find it.

Where is the ignition coil? Or is the ignition coil integrated into my distributor? (Be nice, I’m new to old systems)

 

It had the original-style HEI with the coil in the cap. pop the plug wire retainer ring off if it still has one, pull the 2 screws on the very top, lift off the big square-ish cover, there it is. It's not exactly "integrated into" the distributor butt it's kinda that way.

 

I have a Mallory distributor, same process though?

 

Don't think so. At least all the Mallory ones I've ever had used an external coil.

Note that I spoke initially of what it CAME WITH, not what it HAS.

Photos might help.

 

You’re totally right, I forgot to include that I have an aftermarket distributor.

I have an older style Mallory HEI distributor. I can’t get a picture of the one on my car at the moment but here is one that looks to be similar, if not the exact one:

 

Looks, to the eye, like a coil-in-cap design, for whatever little that's worth.

Check w Mallory for more details. Although, Holley appears to be dismantling any kind of support for all their older stuff, same as they do to all the brands they acquire; so if you need parts or anything, you might be out of luck.