You answered your own question. Find yourself a Duraspark...re-curve it, get a duraspark box and you're set. Or, send me your duraspark 302 distributor and I'll set it up for you....I've done quite a few, with great results. Do you need the MSD? Nah, not really. The factory Duraspark also has multiple-spark discharge at low speeds...a little known fact. The only thing that MSD has over the duraspark is a built in limiter (6AL box) and it's a true capacitive discharge ignition, similar to what's used on motorcycles...which means it tends to perform "better" (compared to a standard solid-state electronic ignition) at high RPM. "High"=6500+. We ran duraspark distributors & boxes for years....mine even went in the mid 6's in the 1/8 with NO problems whatsoever. Reason I changed: I started using alcohol, which tends to wet the plugs so badly that a GOOD hot spark is crucial....I'm sure the duraspark would have worked fine, I just wanted peace of mind. And a limiter and expandability (I also use a 2 step).
Mav, could I ask you for proof the factory dura spark has mutiple discharge ability? In all my years of working with it I have never heard reference to it anywhere or saw evidence of that. The only differences I am awhere of is the ability of the Ca. cars boxes ability to auto adjust Dwell time. I run a 7 series MSD controller on the Sprint car and see with the timing light the differences.
Pertronix and fugetaboutit. I really can't say how well the Pertronix handles high rpms, but it pulls 6800 on my cousin's 289. We might gain something by running a better ignition, but it works... Points vs Pertronix, I gained a helluvalot of seat of pants over 4500rpms. I lost it due to valve float a few years later, but...
i know everything always comes back to money, but if you decide to spring for the ignition system, get one with a rev limiter. yeah, the 13's & 14's are "slow", but i was running 14.50's when i shattered the turbine hub in the converter going into 3rd & buzzed the motor. guess i lucked out (small cam & valves w/flattop pistons) & didnt hurt anything. we cant always depend on luck.
So on the rev limiter, do you just set it for a little faster than what you typically drive? Since I shift at 5500, I would set it for 6000 just in case of emergency...slipped into neutral, broken components, etc. Since I would never want my engine to run above 6000 anyway. I like the idea of that. Looks like I got a couple of projects to get started on this weekend...
yes, 6000 would be about right for you. just above the highest rpm you go to, and under the capabilities of the valve train. the goal is not to float the valves if you freewheel the motor.
Let's see what we can find on Ebay. MSD Distributor: Item number: 8028574624 Current bid: $51 Pertronix thingy: Item number: 8028505012 Current bid: $33.50 MSD Distributor: Item number: 8029864045 Buy it now price: $89 Just some ideas........
For my setup, and future upgrades (within the next two years or so, 11:1+/- compression and 347 bore/stroke), would I be better off saving up for the MSD, or doing the pertronix now?
that is 1 vote for MSD... I don't know much about how pertronix works...but that it replaces the points, which is a good thing. I know MSD does multi-spark, which is a good thing. I also know that every nice car, and every race car I have seen has a little red box under the hood...hmmmm I can live with my current setup until I save up for the MSD, if I have to. One thing, is the "little red box" a replacement for the coil, or does it work in conjuction with a coil? I don't recall seeing a coil and the 6AL under the hood together...
msd still requires a coil, preferably a hi perf one. yes, still get rid of the points. once again, if you can go that route, msd distrib. very tunable, adjustable, etc. does cost money, but you should only end up buying it once. gives you a solid basis for any and all future engine "enhancements".
WTF?!? A 'mild' single plane is a Streetmaster or T289... A 'radical' single plane is a Vic Jr or Sr... A 'mild' dual plane is a 2P-SP or Performer... A 'radical' dual plane is a Stealth or RPM... How hard was that??? Can I not use a word to describe the characteristics of a given part? It's good that after making a point, someone is at such a mental handicap that they can only attack your choice of adjectives! Dave
