Believe in the GM HEI ignition now?

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Frank Mopar

Frank Mopar

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Here is a vid of my car before and after I installed a GM style HEI. First 20 seconds are before, cool sounding lopy cam right? Listen to it after the HEI was put on. Instant power. The way this car starts and runs now is unreal.

I bought the set up from FABO member Trail Beast. www.classichei.com but you can fab one out of parts from the local auto parts store or junkyard

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl0ks2o-DjQ"]Mopar ignition to GM style HEI - YouTube[/ame]
 
I've never had a doubt, mopar ignitions are a weak link. Hardcore folks are silly sometimes... Pick whatever brand you want, by the time you get done installing it, it's your brand anyway.
 
I kinda like the first sound better. My 2 cents. But if it runs better now that's what counts! My car sounds like the first except more lope and there's no lack of power/response.
 
i dont run the HEI system but i do run a complete MSD ignition system. my car will fire up with a flick of the key when it is stone cold. gotta love the hot sparks.
 
fklskv said:
Here is a vid of my car before and after I installed a GM style HEI. First 20 seconds are before, cool sounding lopy cam right? Listen to it after the HEI was put on. Instant power. The way this car starts and runs now is unreal.

I bought the set up from FABO member Trail Beast. www.classichei.com but you can fab one out of parts from the local auto parts store or junkyard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl0ks2o-DjQ
Click to expand...


What was your ignition set-up before you changed?
 
The longer/hotter spark sure cleaned it up allot :shock: Congratulations and good job on the video fklskv :cheers:
 
Any pics of the install? I wondered the same thing. I just think there is no room for a 360 at the firewall. I could be wrong.
 
There is nothing you can do or say that will convince the haters.

I have all the stuff to do the hei install just haven't done it yet. When the 360 goes in ill do it I guess.
 
Here's pics of my son's install ,, tucked away where the old coil was, using the original bolts and holes, and hardly noticable with the AirCleaner on.. sorry about fuzzy last 2 pics..

We also had to upgrade plug wires, as at night,, there was a real light show,, especially when damp.. and it was scary putting your hand/arm anywhere near a plug wire... zzzzaaapppp... wow High Energy Indeed... lol..
 

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Thanks all for the kind words. After the install a I had to do was regap the plugs to .045 and adjust the idle. The timing didn't change
 
I'm running the Magnum coil with my stock (but transplanted) ignition system, and I don't have any issues you all describe. In fact, I never have. That said, I do keep an HEI-swap in the tool kit because it's smaller than the OEM Mo-stuff. I'm going to swap on an MSD strictly for the Rev limiter, but we'll see how the rest goes.
 
While I promote the HEI, especially for those with points, I think there are too many variables to claim that HEI improved your idle. Sometimes changing the Mopar ECU helps, not because the ECU was bad but the ground screw got a better connection in the process. I am sure you also re-timed the distributor.

I prefer the junkyard, not just because cheap, but because that red/wht cable is a factory GM part that looks better and you can easily unplug. Someday, you can control spark timing via that 2nd Metri-pak connector, with a Holley Commander ECU or others that support the 8-pin HEI module.
 
That's a pretty dramatic differnce & it sounds great. Does anyone have any feedback on how it compares with with the MSD/Mallory (CD) style ignitions? I get funny about form, & I like the way the MSD looks & would hope the function would give me similar results to the HEI.
 
My factory ignition setup works fine....
Electronic Ignition in the Scamp and
Points in the Road Runner.
 
Mopar ignition is only as good as the cheap parts you purchase for it,

recently replaced the engine in my 1986 dodge ram, thought I would check the ECU and I noticed it was date stamped 6/25/1985.... not bad I would think, so much for unreliable!
 
When I get my Dart on the road in a few weeks,, Unlike my son's, that has this mod. I'm gonna use the standard ignition, ,..

I REALLY kinda miss hearing that gear reduction starter cranking away... ;-) .. lol
 
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