I'd like to convert my 327 small block Chevy from points and condenser to electronic ignition. There are a few options, kits from Mallory, Crane or Pertronix that use the original distributor), a MSD unit (using the original points as a trigger) or a GM HEI distributor swap...

My Corvette is not restored to NCRS standards nor is it a numbers matching car. It is a show & shine, sunday cruiser... However I'm constanly doing things to upgrade her...

My car is already using a Accel Super Stock ignition coil....

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated....

   

Surely there must be some hot rodders around here? Or is this forum aimed at the tricked out Civics and Neons?

   

I must have missed this one!

Go for the GM HEI swap. Lot's of info out there, cheap parts that'll work and there's nothing wrong with an HEI until you get into stupid fun HP.

   

Thanks for the reply... What besides the HEI distributor & new plug wires will I need? I'm assuming I'll want to use an HEI with a separate ignition coil and not built into the distributor...

   

Is there a specific reason why you want to go to a seperate coil? That stock coil is no slouch and will serve fine if everything else (like plug wires etc) are in good shape.

I've only dealt with HEI so I don't know the specifics, but I do know that the bits you'll need are minor in nature. I took the liberty of including a link that I think spells out the swap pretty straight forwardly.

HEI Conversion

   

I have an aftermarket tach that runs off of the coil (electric wire)...

Thanks muchly for the information...

   

No problem.

Now that I've remembered what I have to do with the tach on the car, I'd better get busy.

   

Thanks kindly....

   

I switched my Nova's distributor years ago to an HEI as well. It drops right in and it has the marked terminal for your tach. The only problem I had with it was clearance between it and the firewall. Had to hammer a little "clearance" into the firewall but not much. That was only with the small block, because when I switched to the big block it fit great. Used the same HEI but had about an inch more room. Depending on the performance you want, you can still tweak it a bit to get more out of it.

   

Was it new or used? Can I ask how much for a GM HEI? Or would a Mallory or MSD billet HEI work as well?

Thanks kindly

   

You can find a good used one from a wrecking yard for dirt cheap.

   

So any HEI from a 305, 350, 307, 267, etc will fit?

   

Yup, they all fit.

If you go to a used HEI, make sure the weights move freely. Then go to the speed shop and get a rebuild/performance kit for it as well. There's usually a new gear and module in the kits, depending on the manufacturer, but the really trick part is the different strength springs. There are usually 3 sets of them.

Set the timing, then start with the softest springs. Install them and do a couple of full acceleration runs. Repeat with each set of springs. The ones that give you the best performance get installed permanently. I'd guess that you'll want the softest ones, since your car is fairly light, but it's best to check. Besides, it gives you an excuse to do some full acceleration runs.

   

You must be careful when playing with a distributor. All distributors have four things to look at. The rate of advance ( spring pressure ),amount of mechanical advance ( distance the slots below the weights move ), the vacuum advance amount ( distance the vacuum lever moves ) and the vacuum pressure amount ( amount of vacuum needed to move to full vacuum ). Gear ratios and other factors come in to play. If your car is made for hi speed you may want weaker springs to advance your timing quicker.

It would be worth your time to go to a speed shop or a race track and ask if they know someone that can re-curve your distributor. It will save you a lot of grief.