Resolved. - Dead in the field. Ignition module ?

[Dave-R]

Made a huge hp increase on an RB in one of Mopar Muscles dunk tech articles

I would take that claim with a BIG pinch of salt if I were you.

[RobTwin]

Dave, Dave or anyone else with a bit of electrical nouse....

We've got one of those GM HEI jobbies on the way and have already received a new MSD Blaster coil
http://www.msdignition.com/Products/Coi ... _Coil.aspx
that Stu ordered last week.

Question now is:

Previous posts here have suggested you dont need/use a ballast resistor with the GM module, but the bumpf that comes with this coil says...

"Note: This Blaster Coil Kit is intended to be used with an MSD Ignition. If installing on a stock, points style ignition system, a 0.8 ohm ballast resistor or resistor wiring MUST be installed."

So if we're using the GM HEI module and an FBO electronic ign distributor, it's obviously not an MSD ign system so would you say we fall into the 'stock, points style ignition system' that would require a ballast resistor?

[Dave81]

Dave, Dave or anyone else with a bit of electrical nouse....

We've got one of those GM HEI jobbies on the way and have already received a new MSD Blaster coil
http://www.msdignition.com/Products/Coi ... _Coil.aspx
that Stu ordered last week.

Question now is:

Previous posts here have suggested you dont need/use a ballast resistor with the GM module, but the bumpf that comes with this coil says...

"Note: This Blaster Coil Kit is intended to be used with an MSD Ignition. If installing on a stock, points style ignition system, a 0.8 ohm ballast resistor or resistor wiring MUST be installed."

So if we're using the GM HEI module and an FBO electronic ign distributor, it's obviously not an MSD ign system so would you say we fall into the 'stock, points style ignition system' that would require a ballast resistor?

I may be wrong (i have all the GM HEI stuff at home awaiting installation), but if you have the GM HEI and the blaster coil (as have i), then you just hook it up to the distributor bypassing the ballast resistor.

The note is just pointing out that if your using it on stock points system (which i believe you are ditching for electronic iginiton......HEI), then you'll need the Ballast Resistor to run it at the required voltage (8 i think). As your not, you should be running at 12 Volts through the ignition system (with the ballast resistor not required)!

In the researh i did it also mentions that since the spark is hotter/improved you will be required to regap/replace the existing spark plugs to get the best from the upgrade.

Hopefully someone (Dave/Ade) will point out that what i've stated above is true.........

[Adrian Worman]

The ballast won't be needed on that set up, it's simply referring to the original system that needed boosting on start up, your new system doesn't need that help at all

......... yes Dave perfect

[Les Szabo]

Made a huge hp increase on an RB in one of Mopar Muscles dunk tech articles

I would take that claim with a BIG pinch of salt if I were you.

100% agree with that comment Dave....

You want the best spark for better burning and more hp, save money on fuel bills, less bore wash etc?.....use whats the most popular systems on bracket race cars...unless your resto.

[RobTwin]

Thanks for clarifying Dave & Ade.

The points system was ditched yonks ago in favour of the MP elec ign system - which worked fine for ages - we're just trying to incorporate the new FBO kit we acquired courtesy of Wil (ex-FBO UK rep) and the EuroNats prize draw a few years ago

The question was really (prob a bit long-winded knowing me ) just whether the elec ign distributor & HEI module would be regarded as 'points-style' ign as it wasnt a totally MSD ignition. If the coil bumpf had included 'electronic igntion' as well as 'MSD ignition' and 'stock, points style' in their options, I wouldnt have needed to ask

All we got to do now is try & leave the ballast resistor and its wiring there, but not connected, for that stock look we've been aiming for

[Dave81]

Thanks for clarifying Dave & Ade.

The points system was ditched yonks ago in favour of the MP elec ign system - which worked fine for ages - we're just trying to incorporate the new FBO kit we acquired courtesy of Wil (ex-FBO UK rep) and the EuroNats prize draw a few years ago

The question was really (prob a bit long-winded knowing me ) just whether the elec ign distributor & HEI module would be regarded as 'points-style' ign as it wasnt a totally MSD ignition.
No, its still an electronic ignition system (I believe.......it would be as your using an electronic distributor, if it was a points system i think you'll require a mechanical dist). This would be he same if you were using mopar original Electronic ignition or GM's HEI......These are all electronic ignitions!
If the coil bumpf had included 'electronic igntion' as well as 'MSD ignition' and 'stock, points style' in their options, I wouldnt have needed to ask

Rob,
As above in red regards the question...........

I think all the above confusion is just down to the fact that MSD want you to put their (expensive) kit on your car, hence only mention MSD Ignition. Wouldn't be great marketing if they put down MSD 6 etc not required at £££'s, use another Electronic ignition competitor whose cheaper and does the job.......

[Dave999]

the ballast would be needed with points becasue the curent flow through the low resistance MSD blaster would weld them together....

no need to worry when the HEI is you switch in the system. it can't weld together and has its own current limiting to stop it turning into a minature volcano

leave the ballast where it is for the standard look

and use some piggy back lucas spades to loop a wire from one end to the other....put back the orginal wires on the piggy back connectors

Dave

[Dave999]

PS you will note one of the connectors on the module is a 3/4 width spade

the tiny female connectors can be had from halfords in their generic box of random connectors usually on that rack of stuff you think you need but never use

Dave

[RobTwin]

Thanks again Dave & Dave



In the meantime tho... the latest issue of Mopar Muscle has this article, about another option.

A new ign module from The R/T Garage called the Rev-n-nator


Might have given this a whirl if we hadnt already got the GM HEI on order, but it's good to have what looks like another solution.

Not cheap but compares well with an MSD 6AL.

info here http://www.thertgarage.com/products.html

article here:






Hope you dont mind the hijack Morgan but it seemed best to keep this all in here...

[Adrian Worman]

Yeah that's the same product I posted a link to on the previous page, funnily enough it was exactly that article I was quotin from
Look good don't it?
I'm gonna get one anyhow and check it out Rob/Stu

[RobTwin]

oops sorry Ade, didnt get round to checking your link

I'm not so concerned about the hp gains, more relevant to me & this thread is whether it's a more reliable option to the old orange/black box.

Any hp gains would be a bonus tho

[Adrian Worman]

Exactly Rob, reliability is the main issue here
I've seen countless people complain about the factory box and yet I've only ever replaced mine once in twenty years cos it actually failed, expensive performance systems don't provide any guarantee against failure either........
So if this new unit comes close to equal of an MSD or similar and is robust enough then I'm convinced
Mind you it don't take much to impress me

[morgan]

Lemme know cost Ade. Obviously I am interested !

[Dave-R]

and yet I've only ever replaced mine once in twenty years cos it actually failed, expensive performance systems don't provide any guarantee against failure either........

My first orange box that I bought 20-odd years ago never failed.
The one I bought a few years ago did and the FBO one I bought never worked out of the box. It was replaced free of charge though.

Personally I think the issue is more to do with modern production techniques.