Engine Tune Up

[hondarider188]

Ok so I know that this is a stupid question but what all do i need to give my engine a full tune up? I know all the typical stuff like air filter, spark plugs, plug wires, oil change. what I'm wondering though is about the actual HEI ignition. I know I need to replace the cap and rotor also, but in some kits i see that its just the cap and rotor that it replaces and others replace the coil, control module, vacuum advance, bushings, springs and weights. Do I Really need much more stuff? and is their anything that i am forgetting to replace? Also the ignition appears to be stock still besides the wires which are still a little old. i already replaced the spark plugs and oil with filter. This is all on a 1983 K10 5.7L. Thanks

[rich weyand]

Cap and rotor for sure; they usually come as a set.  Coils get tired.  The insulation gets old and windings start shorting to each other, so the voltage goes down.  Since it is mounted in the cap, it is actually easier to replace the coil and cap at the same time, because you can assemble them at the bench and only have to climb up into the engine bay once to replace them as a unit.  Wires, too.  The resistance wire sets with resistor plugs is nonsense; you only need one of them to have resistance.  So if you are running resistor plugs like the R45TS, use metal-conductor wires.  Much more reliable.

The other parts you mention are not regular tune-up parts, but replacement parts if something is broke or you want to change the setup.  The control module is a complete solid state doodad and is not a routine replacement.  If the vacuum advance is working properly, and you have no desire to change the advance curve, there's no need to play with that either.

Getting a hot spark to the plugs reliably is a big deal, though.  Here's what I just put on mine and it makes a big difference.  You can buy cheaper parts, but not get the performance, and you can buy more expensive parts, and get nothing more.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/acc-8122
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/acc-140013
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tay-74206

[hondarider188]

ok thanks rich i think i will just replace the cap and rotor with the wires for now. as for the coil just stick with a stock replacement or is it worth it to upgrade to one with higher volts. as for the spark plugs i already put in the r45ts in all cylinders except for one because the store only had 7 of those so i ended up buying one of the night fire high end plugs that were the equivalent of the r45ts.

[hondarider188]

I also found this http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/66942RC/10002/-1.  It seems like a good deal since it comes with the coil also.

[rich weyand]

I don't know anything about Proform, but Accell makes good stuff.  I bought on their reputation, and was not disappointed.

Definitely go with the higher voltage.  Since volts is what you loose as things wear out, more is better.

[LTZ C20]

I second what Rich said about Accell. I have Accell header plugs, MSD super conductor wires and a GM Performance HEI distributor. 

[hondarider188]

ok i think i am all set now. hopefully this will really help out the performance and mpg

[LTZ C20]

It should.