Ok I am tired of searching and only finding the opposite of what I am looking for, somebody please help!! Here is the issue, I have the TPI engine out of an '89 Formula firebird. I want to keep the tune port system but NOT the external coil. I want to swap to an in cap coil instead. My concern is with wiring it up in place of the external coil and also with the computer. Will it turn on the engine light if I do this? Also, does anybody know where I can get the spring kit for the distributor because the parts stores don't seem to carry them anymore or even know what I am talking about. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

You will need to use a hei large cap from a 85-86 tpi in a f-body or 85-91 corvette or Ccc. This is a electronic controlled distributor with coil in cap and does not use advance springs like a vacuum advance distributor. You will also need to change the icm connecter and distributor power and tach signal lead if applicable.

 

Thanks for the reply, do you know if I can accomplish this without the engine light coming on or am I going to have to stick with the external coil to keep it from coming on? Also, how much performance would I sacrifice if I did just leave the external coil?

 

If you're looking to do this as a performance upgrade, I'm thinkin' you're spending a lot of effort for literally no difference. A divorced coil might even be a hair better as it's hanging out in the open, maybe running a bit cooler.

 

just match the wire colors off the icm , DRP high, DRP, low, est, ground.
The spark Latency is different between the different icms but it will work fine without being reprogramed. bolth coils will output 40-50kv.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question, but I have decided to stick with the factory external coil type and simply upgrade it to a street fire or blaster coil.