I currently have a large cap Vette distributor on my 383 with a SuperRam plenum. I was looking to swap my distributor. I'd like to hear opinions on weather I should just buy a new Vette distributor (from GM?...still available?) or run an aftermarket distributor form MSD, Mallory (if they even make one for the TPI engine) or whoever else makes one.

Also, I was told the connectors for a small cap with external coil was different from the big cap internal coil setup. Just what are the differances? If I had the correct connectors, I wouldn't mind going to a smaller cap for more clearance though it's not neccesary.

Ideas and opinions...?

 

I just swapped from the larger in cap coil to the externally mounted one. You'll need:
~the distributor
~the cap
~the external coil
~the 2 conductor cable from the cap to the coil
~that mini spark plug looking cable
~the 4 wire pigtail to the distributor
~the 2 wire pigtail to the coil

If you get a donor car to cut it out of you can get the parts very easily, otherwise I've no idea where you'd get those pigtails and wires brand new.

 

you can get the pigtails from any GM dealer/AcDelco parts warehouse. - I'd swap to the latemodel external coil set-up and go on w/ life. If you ever need more, then you'll be looking into an aftermarket ign box, which will work well w/ the small cap HEI set-up.