What do you guys suggest for an ignition system on an 86 sc? The only name I have really heard anywhere is MSD. Please list all the parts you think are necessary including wires, spark plugs, distributors, blah, blah, blah. Thanks

 

That's why I went with my MSD 6AL box; all I heard was MSD. The full list of ignition parts you can upgrade/replace are:

1. Spark plug wires - the less ohms/foot, the more power gets to your plugs. For instance, stock wires are 15,000 ohms/foot. My MSD 8.5mm wires are 50 ohms/foot. Accel's 300+ wires are 300 ohms/foot. I think their 8.8 wires are 1000 ohms/foot- but I'm not sure.

2. Spark plugs- eh, well, not much performance here. Any "new" plug works better than an old plug. Just keep an eye on the 'ol spark gap. I personally run Splitfires (and never had a complaint).

3. Ignition box- Can add one such as the MSD 6-series, Accel 300+, etc. Usually gives a hotter (more powerful) spark, and some give a multiple spark below 3000 RPM.

4. Ignition coil- Can be done without an ignition box. Gives a hotter spark. On my car, an ignition coil without an ignition box gave me more high-rpm power.

5. "Base" Timing- should always be checked at every tuneup.

6. Computer chip- "Performance" ones alter the timing curve, but sometimes for the worse.

No distributor is made for our 2.8's. However, you can rebuild yours with the following:

I. Distributor's ignition module (Holley makes an aftermarket performance one for $60, same as a stock part's price)

II. Distributor's pickup coil ($15, nobody makes a performance one because there's nothing performance about 'em. Good idea to replace w/module.)


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Hmm.. sitting here with a multimeter and seems Accel 8mm superstock wires test out at approximatly 3k ohms/foot... ouch =\ didn't know they sucked this bad when I bought them =P

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4
In search of new v8 engine & transmission
MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers

 

I havea MSD coil, Accel Igntion box, Accel wires cause they are always in stock at the local shops...

 

Heh, Tech, I doubt they suck- just remember "stock" is 15000 ohms/foot! There's a whole ton of debate about the low-resistance thing; most everyone agrees that 15000 ohms/foot stock is too much- but there's also the arguement that a few 1000 ohms/foot here or there won't matter much. So don't chuck those away just yet


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

<No distributor is made for our 2.8's. <However, you can rebuild yours with the <following:


Um mallory makes distributors for the 2.8 and 3.1L 60 degree engines. Check yer PAW catalog on page 789, theres 4 of em to choose from Not sure how they work altho i got that oil leak problem and need to replace the O ring, i may swap distributors too. But then again if its not broke, don't fix it.



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91 Firebird
3.1 w/
K&N filter, 160 stat, No TB heat, Direct Cold air, DynoMax CatBack, B&M MegaShifter, Performance Shift Kit,
Bosch platinum plugs,
7mm "stock" wires, Jensen CD330X Head unit, Jensen 120watt rear speakers
Stock front speakers,

0-30mph 4.25 Best 4.09
0-60mph 9.16 Best 9.09

 

Thanks Red, I didn't know that. I'll have to check those out tonight!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I checked out the PAW book last night, and nope; we can't use those distributors. Well, we can't use them with our MPFI fuel injection. Actually the computer controlled carburetor guys cant' use those either.

Those distributors are meant for a motor that doesn't use any computer or emissions equipment. They have vacuum and/or mechanical advance, and won't plug into our stuff.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!