electronic ignition

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I'll give you my experiences after converting my slant six to HEI.

  • Starting the car is considerably easier even after a complete tune-up on the original points ignition.
  • With the same standard engine tuning I could advance a further 2° base timing when I converted to HEI
  • I didn't have any perceptible or calculable economy increase
  • I'm using the DUI distributor setup and it was kind of a pain in the *** to install on my early 1964 dart. The HEI module is bolted to the distributor and won't fit due to the narrow wheel fenders and oil filter placement. I had to relocate it.
  • Hot starting the car is also much easier now.
  • No need to worry about ballast resistor
Overall if you can do it cheaply it's a worthwhile investment. Looking back I probably would have done the stock Chrysler electronic ignition instead of using the DUI distributor. that being said I'm happy now and it's been very reliable.

Since I've installed this I've also had the engine rebuilt with a dutra cam , high compression, upjetted the carb, carb spacer, two and a quarter inch exhaust, longreach plugs, performance wires.bI've also done the fuel line mod over the valve cover and decided I really don't like it. I'll be running a nicop hardline around the back of the motor instead.

The car can easily cruise at 75 now and is a joy to drive.
 
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My car is a 273 with the BBD carb. It starts easily cold or hot. One of the reasons I'm considering electronic ignition is the engine runs a little too rich. I've tried a number adjustments without success. I thought maybe a better ignition could help burn the fuel more efficiently. Also, I'm wondering what mileage other members are getting with their 273 engines.
 
Running rich, LOL, has nothing at all to do with electronic ignition. There are many ways to go. If you don't drive it all that much, you might consider staying "what you got."

Otherwise there are many options, depending on skill and money
 
Yes and yes. Go read this (…part 2, part 3) and then this.

Also, if your car's running rich, it will still run rich no matter what ignition system you have, so…fix it! Carburetor operation and repair manuals and links to training movies and carb repair/modification threads are posted here for free download.
 
Meh, I'd say no. Good points on a stocker is fine. If your down for the challenge, go for it. It wont hurt anything unless it goes south on you in the middle of nowhere. I would literally keep the points distributor in the trunk. Easy to swap out the whole enchilada if you get an ECU or pickup or reluctor gap no start issue.
 
I have used pertronix for many yrs with no issues and you get to use the stock distributor ,pertronix replaces the points only.
 
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