Frank_Blotto

I'm looking to upgrade my ignition system on my 87 Z28. It has stock igntion components thus far. I was looking around Summit Racing's site, and specifically at the MSD Ignition stuff, as they were suggested by a friend. I'm pretty new to this stuff, so this is the shopping list I came up with, I just wanted to run it buy you guys, since you all know what you're talking about, and I'm sure some of you are using MSD Ignition components. So how about some feedback/suggestions? As far as I can tell, these will all work together, but maybe there's something I didn't catch.

Is there any important differences between the (I'm not sure of the proper names for this, but...) male and female distriputor cap layouts? I mean where the ignition cables attach into recessed cylinders, and where they stick up, exposing the (copper?) tips? Is one better/worse?

Also, is the Blaster GM Coil the correct part to get to replace my distributor coil with? That wasn't particulalrly clear to me.

Last thing, on the ignition wires, the site says its only good for engines up to '74. But the guy I talked to at Summit said they are the ones I should use. Is he wrong/full of crap? I didn't see anything on there that was appropriate with regards to engine size and year...

Sorry about the length and lack of interest of this post, but I don't want to spend my money without knowing more about what I'm buying.

Thanks in advance.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=7437
ignition wires

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=9030
distributor coil

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=9122
rotor

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=24740
distributor coil

ede

i like the caps with exposed tips. if you're engine is stock i doubt you see much of a gain unless you need a tune up anyway. i like the wires you cut to length. msd makes good stuff, you won't have a problem with it.

85TransAm406

iTrader: (1)

That is the correct coil, however, those are the incorrect cap, rotor, and wires. you need the cap rotor and wires with HEI style terminals. They sell them specifically for the 87 and up external coil distruibutors, look for that in the product discription.

85TransAm406

iTrader: (1)

external coil type distributor cap:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=MSD%2D8426

external coil style rotor
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=MSD%2D8427

cut to fit wires:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=MSD%2D31189

pre cut for remote mount coil:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=MSD%2D31839

Frank_Blotto

alright, thanks man

CaptPicardsZ28

8366 distributor AND 8226 Coil. I have these on my 85 only cuz I had to switch from large cap to small cap 87-92 model. As for wires, just match them up to this setup. I buy the universal MSD Super conductor 8.5mm so I can cut to fit.

tpiroc

If you're new to this type of job, I'd definately reccomend a GM V8 HEI wire set rather than attempting to cut your own. Many people say "it's a cinch" but I hear more horror stories (some of my own, too). Also, don't forget the ignition control module in the distributor. I got a Pertronix HEI Flame Thrower kit that included cap, rotor, coil, module, and new internal hardware.

ronterry

Yea, you definitely need a little patience in sizing, cutting, and crimping the wires yourself.
You also want to test each completed wire with an ohms tester.
I found myself having to re-crimp a wire that I thought was perfect cause it had excess resistance. So you will want to test them all.

BTW: 'CaptPicardsZ28' I meet Pat Stewart back in '87-'88?, and got his autograph - even got a hand shake for him. Coolest ST cast member ever, then again I meet W. Konig in '90, and he is cool as he** also - gave me two autographs!!! Havn't been to a Star/Spring Con in 10 years

Ron