Ignitions, ignitions... What to get.

[ccz145a]

Ok, I am getting close to having my truck moving again and I think it is time to upgrade the ignition. What are your opinions on the following.

75 c10 lwb 454 TH400. Original HEI. Holley 770 Street Avenger, Wiend dual plane, 280/292 .500 cam. stock pistons 8.2 compression?, stock heads.

Engine was rebuilt by me in 1991.

Looking at 2 ignition systems:

all msd http://www.jegs.com/p/MSD/761018/10002/-1/76248

or

all summit http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM-CSUM2700 (with a set of msd 8.5 wires as well)

Thanks for your help.

[VileZambonie]

MSD is good but the Summit is cheaper. Is price a concern? I've heard good things about the summit ign systems but I've always used MSD. Either one will work good I'm sure.

[ccz145a]

Thanks, I hate to spend money... But I would hate it worse to spend it on something that wouldn't last.

What I like about the Summit, is the broader voltage range (min 8v vs. 12v for the MSD). Like it might still start when your battery is begining to fail.

I know I need something, timing wanders about 4-6deg at idle and it never did have the right advance curve.

[Captkaos]

Put a stock one it in and get that thing moving already!    Want to borrow one?

[ccz145a]

Put a stock one it in and get that thing moving already! 

leave it to you to set my priorities straight. lol

Want to borrow one?

Sure thing, if it works good, I'll even buy it.

[JJSZABO]

This is the one I bought - heard good things about them.  I already know I have to put new springs in (it comes with too heavy of springs).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY-SBC-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-350-400-W-SUPER-COIL-6001D_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33690QQihZ018QQitemZ280215517204QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Captkaos]

Sure thing, if it works good, I'll even buy it.

It was on my 454 for 7 years and still worked when I pulled it off.  I did pull the coil out, but it is back in it now...
When do you want to come get it?

[Blue 82]

This is the one I bought - heard good things about them.  I already know I have to put new springs in (it comes with too heavy of springs).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY-SBC-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-350-400-W-SUPER-COIL-6001D_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33690QQihZ018QQitemZ280215517204QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I put one in my truck about 5 or 6 weeks ago
I used the springs from my old worn out HEI and used a vacuum advance limiter plate from Crane that I already had.



I got mine from Skip White Performance on Ebay. Out of the box it had 20 degrees of mechanical advance, and 20 degrees of vacuum advance. Without the vacuum advance limiter plate, you will never get it tuned for a truck. The advance springs are very heavy, no extras are included. Mine had an adjustable vacuum advance rate cannister, like Crane Cams offers. Use a 3/32" allen wrench in the vacum line inlet to adjust.

Crane Cams still offers the limiter plate, it's about $6, but with a little ingenuity you can make one for a penny

I used a Dial type inductive timing light to tune it, without one you have to fool with timing tape that will fall off over time. Even with the ZZ4 balancer, which has degree markings, the Dial type light makes life much easier.

BTW, it works great.....

[ccz145a]

When do you want to come get it?

Very soon, thanks.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I owe ya'll some pics of my progess.

[Captkaos]

You have been owing us pictures.  Once you get it running I would say MSD, but Summit (like Vile said) is suppose to be relabled stuff.

[JJSZABO]

When do you want to come get it?

Very soon, thanks.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I owe ya'll some pics of my progess.

We are still waiting    

Thanks Blue 82  that's good to know.