I have a 1989 Pontiac Trans Am with the 305 TPI. Right now I have the stock distributor, but I have found a really cheap HEI one for sale on Ebay. I was wondering if the swap can be done quick and easy...?

Thanks.

 

If your asking if a hei divorced coil can be swapped out for a ccc , early tbi trucks,tpi 85-86 f-body, 85-91 corvette coil in cap yes. The connecter for the dist reference , est, flat 4 is different but you can easily install a packard/delphi weather pack connecter. The dist power and tach you can buy the pigtails or use female spade connecters. To make it correct the spark Latency in the tune is different but it will still work.

 

\I have the "point" style one and I want to change to the HEI.

 

You have a points distributor running tpi

 

I could be completely wrong. Lol. I do know that it is the stock one with the coil separate from the distributor itself. I don't really know what its called, I just assumed it was because it was different.

 

The small cap with divorced coil is still considered hei. No advantage to swapping IMO the coil in cap and divorced coil can reliably put out 45kv no need for more.

 

Are there any replacements for the coil-in cap one? (like my 86 has)

 

Accel 140003
Msd 8225
Just to name a few

 

I ordered the distributor with the in cap coil, because I need a new one and it was the only ones coming up when I put in HEI. But are the plugs put on the exact same? Like in the same order and prongs?

Thanks.

 

The pinout of the icm is different IIRC the order of 2 are swapped.
dist ref high -ppl/wht
dist ref lo -blk/red
est bypass -tan/blk
est control -white

Early years coil in cap computer controlled hei's had different colors for the icm lead.
If your unsure the origin of the distributor or cant tell the difference from a melonized gear you should purchase a gm 10456413 .

 

Sorry, I mean the spark plug wires. My bad.

 

The ends will fit , coil in cap if you are using the wire retainer the end boots will need to be changed.

 

My new distributor looks like this one, but it has a black cap. It is rated at 50k.

But my stock one doesn't have the advanced vacuum thing on the side, how and where should I hook that up?

And my stock one is one without the coil in the cap, the new one has he coil in the cap. The new cap is a inch to two inches bigger, is that just because of the coil needing room? And is that going to be a problem?

Thanks again.

 

If the distributor your purchased has a vacuum advance it is for a carb use.

 

Alright, so I can't use it for my TPI at all?

 

You might be able to get it to run with a tach signal to the ref high and vacuum advance to the ported vacuum port under the tb. Im not sure why you would want to use it though, let the ecm control the timing.

 

The only reason I was asking was because I really need a new one, but if its not a good idea...then I will pay to send it back and find a different one. I just had no clue that it wasn't for my engine. Thanks for the help.

 

Post 2 I stated the applications cc HEI will not have a cacuum advance the white wire off the icm is cc advance/retard.

 

Can you send me a link to one of them? I can't seem to find one for a TPI. Thanks.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMARO-IROC-CORVETTE-FIREBIRD-TPI-GM-HEI-Accel-Super-Coil-140003-distributor-/321188746958?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac85756ce&vxp=mtr
You might want to run a melonized gear or look for one off at leter vette.
Gm 10456413