Ready to run electronic distributors.

Haz

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Has anyone yet had experience with the "ready to run" electronic distributors from either Dragonfire (fromAIP) or Pro Series (from TSP) on their 383. Both appear to be lookalikes of Pertronics unit.
 
Personally I would never run an aftermarket dizzy again. I prefer the stock mopar electronic distributor system, parts are readily available from pretty much anywhere, and the system is pretty much bullet proof!
 
Personally I would never run an aftermarket dizzy again. I prefer the stock mopar electronic distributor system, parts are readily available from pretty much anywhere, and the system is pretty much bullet proof!
I am tidying up engine bay and trying to "minimize" components. Has existing mopar electronic distributor. but as in original post I have also good experience with other systems
 
I am tidying up engine bay and trying to "minimize" components. Has existing mopar electronic distributor. but as in original post I have also good experience with other systems

I still run points on my 69 440 with no problems.
 
I run the Firecore in my 68 GTS. I also run one in my 65 300. Pretty compact system. When I drive further than 50 miles from home I always carry a spare dizzy and control box.
 
I run the Firecore in my 68 GTS. I also run one in my 65 300. Pretty compact system. When I drive further than 50 miles from home I always carry a spare dizzy and control box.
Is that because you have experienced failures or have heard of them. I have friends who will never go pointless "because they can fiddle with dirty/burnt points but not electronic"
 
Is that because you have experienced failures or have heard of them. I have friends who will never go pointless "because they can fiddle with dirty/burnt points but not electronic"

Just better to be prepared
 
I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but I'd beware of any ignition that has a proprietary module that you can't get easily from a parts store. Even worse, I've heard that the MSD "Ready to Run" units have the module soldered in, and buried in the distributor. Any module will fail eventually, so imagine how much fun that will be out on the road. I'm actually interested in the HEI conversion bracket from Mopar HEI Conversion but haven't tried it myself. I do know a guy who put it on his car and he likes it.
 
I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but I'd beware of any ignition that has a proprietary module that you can't get easily from a parts store. Even worse, I've heard that the MSD "Ready to Run" units have the module soldered in, and buried in the distributor. Any module will fail eventually, so imagine how much fun that will be out on the road. I'm actually interested in the HEI conversion bracket from Mopar HEI Conversion but haven't tried it myself. I do know a guy who put it on his car and he likes it.
Great idea there they work really well but do go out also.
 
I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but I'd beware of any ignition that has a proprietary module that you can't get easily from a parts store. Even worse, I've heard that the MSD "Ready to Run" units have the module soldered in, and buried in the distributor. Any module will fail eventually, so imagine how much fun that will be out on the road. I'm actually interested in the HEI conversion bracket from Mopar HEI Conversion but haven't tried it myself. I do know a guy who put it on his car and he likes it.
The FAST distributor is similar in that it has a small enclosure on the side for the module (had this type on my 318 Poly), I cannot find one to fit 383. Excellent info I will contact Design2drive.
 
Has anyone yet had experience with the "ready to run" electronic distributors from either Dragonfire (fromAIP) or Pro Series (from TSP) on their 383. Both appear to be lookalikes of Pertronics unit.

I run a Firecore distributor on both my 383 and 400 engines from Summit. Couldn't be a simpler installation with no need for any electronic boxes - direct from the dizzy to the coil. Top cap is small to clear head/valve covers and comes in BB/RB versions. Price is very good and has bearings instead of bushings. Check them out for yourself.
 
I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but I'd beware of any ignition that has a proprietary module that you can't get easily from a parts store. Even worse, I've heard that the MSD "Ready to Run" units have the module soldered in, and buried in the distributor. Any module will fail eventually, so imagine how much fun that will be out on the road. I'm actually interested in the HEI conversion bracket from Mopar HEI Conversion but haven't tried it myself. I do know a guy who put it on his car and he likes it.
I've looked into the HEI conversion and I think it's the way to go. Here's some good info on the conversion.

Slant Six Forum, :: View topic - HEI Electronic Ignition Retrofit How-To
 
Regarding the OP's question, I think we've seen enough failures of aftermarket distributors/ignition systems just on this forum to be very wary of using them. The tried and true Mopar piece is hard to beat with the only point of occasional failure being the pickup coil.

Since one of the reasons is cleaning up the engine compartment, there's a couple things I would think about. One is hiding the Mopar ICU somewhere and the other is using the GM HEI coil as mentioned above. The HEI would have the advantage of not needing the ballast resistor if you choose the right coil. Both are easily sourced and cheap enough to carry spares.
 
My brother tried to install a Pertronix in his 383 and it wouldn't fit, to big. He had to grind the snot out of the corner of the head so it would fit, but still had problems getting it to run right. He got rid of it, not all distributors are the same size and aren't always a drop in and go type thing. Just something to think about.
 
one of my friends got me a hei dis for christmas for a 318....
literally looks just like a gm dis.
except...theres no way it would fit into anything dodge.
because firewall + dis at rear = no space.

i had to smile and say thanks and nod my head and the whole time im thinking....
wth am i gonna do with this??
LOL
 
I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but I'd beware of any ignition that has a proprietary module that you can't get easily from a parts store. Even worse, I've heard that the MSD "Ready to Run" units have the module soldered in, and buried in the distributor. Any module will fail eventually, so imagine how much fun that will be out on the road. I'm actually interested in the HEI conversion bracket from Mopar HEI Conversion but haven't tried it myself. I do know a guy who put it on his car and he likes it.


These work really well but here's an important tip, don't use an oil filled coil in the stock horizontal mount. The HEI module will make the coil run hot, and while laying horizontally the windings aren't covered with oil. You WILL burn out a coil. I know, I killed two flamethrowers in that manner.
 
An oil filled coil is not designed for 12+ continuous voltage you need a coil for a direct voltage. All V8 Chrysler cars had horizontal mounted coils that ran for decades at 9+ volts. It would not matter if you mounted it vertical on the roof you are literally electrically cooking your coil.
All of you realize that if you are not fouling plugs and have no high rpm miss, anything above the point system is not doing a thing toward performance except a reduction in maintenance above 3000miles and if you are putting more than that on a year kudos to you carry on.
 
An oil filled coil is not designed for 12+ continuous voltage you need a coil for a direct voltage. All V8 Chrysler cars had horizontal mounted coils that ran for decades at 9+ volts. It would not matter if you mounted it vertical on the roof you are literally electrically cooking your coil.
All of you realize that if you are not fouling plugs and have no high rpm miss, anything above the point system is not doing a thing toward performance except a reduction in maintenance above 3000miles and if you are putting more than that on a year kudos to you carry on.

Wish I'd know this before cooking 2 coils...;-) I still ave the bracket to do an HEI and may run it on something again someday. As far as points, I'll never run a set of them again.
 
Wish I'd know this before cooking 2 coils...;-) I still ave the bracket to do an HEI and may run it on something again someday. As far as points, I'll never run a set of them again.
The HEI is designed to use a low resistance primary type coil. As I understand it, when you start using a low resistance canister coil, you need to use a ballast resistor to make the coil live. If you use the E coil, you won't need a ballast resistor.

Go to that link I posted above and also take a look. They answer a lot of questions.
 
Regarding the OP's question, I think we've seen enough failures of aftermarket distributors/ignition systems just on this forum to be very wary of using them. The tried and true Mopar piece is hard to beat with the only point of occasional failure being the pickup coil.

Since one of the reasons is cleaning up the engine compartment, there's a couple things I would think about. One is hiding the Mopar ICU somewhere and the other is using the GM HEI coil as mentioned above. The HEI would have the advantage of not needing the ballast resistor if you choose the right coil. Both are easily sourced and cheap enough to carry spares.
Regarding the OP's question, I think we've seen enough failures of aftermarket distributors/ignition systems just on this forum to be very wary of using them. The tried and true Mopar piece is hard to beat with the only point of occasional failure being the pickup coil.

Since one of the reasons is cleaning up the engine compartment, there's a couple things I would think about. One is hiding the Mopar ICU somewhere and the other is using the GM HEI coil as mentioned above. The HEI would have the advantage of not needing the ballast resistor if you choose the right coil. Both are easily sourced and cheap enough to carry spares.
I received email from Nathan at designed2drive this morning and have ordered the bracket. This will allow me to tidy up bay plus have proven HEI type ignition module at a "very low"n price. WIN/WIN.
Thank you all for your input.
 
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