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Old 03-10-2006, 05:44 AM
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tommie69 tommie69 is offline
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Default msd distributor worth it?

I'am thinking about waking up my 68 400 with a msd distributor #8528.This is the distributor that does not need the msd box, it drops right in and i have to use my coil.Anyone out there recommend this distributor?Or is this distributor not much of a step up and should I get the pro billet one that does require the msd box.I have points now so I'amm looking for a difference in the performance.Thanks!

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Old 03-10-2006, 10:03 AM
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David Jones David Jones is offline
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If your car is anywhere near stock, don't look for a performance increase. It won't happen. If you just want to quit messing with points look up Dave Ray and have him convert your points distributor to an HEI.
Dave Ray

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Old 03-10-2006, 10:12 AM
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66bonne 66bonne is offline
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My personal experience has been that changing from a points to electronic distributor will not give you much if any seat-of-the-pants performance improvement.
I have two mildly modified 400s and run a stock GM HEI distributor in both. These distributors are relatively cheap, available anywhere and mine have been trouble free for several years. When I made the change-over there was no noticeable/measureable improvement in performance. On my P-Dude built 455 [that is more modified than the 400s]he installed a stock GM HEI distributor and I recently added an MSD 6AL box to help out at lower RPMs.
I'm not saying that the MSD distributors aren't the way to go, they probably are better built than the stock GM HEIs. I just don't know that you will see a lot of performance improvement either way. All that being said, electronic distributors are the way to go, much more dependable and reliable. And at least in my case, I'm so darned short that it was a real hassle to reach the distributor to change points !!
Good luck in your project.

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Old 03-10-2006, 10:27 AM
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David Holmberg David Holmberg is offline
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+2, if your dist is set up and running 100% you will not see an improvement in performance. However, the MSD dist will remain set up a lot longer than a points dist, and provide a longer life. How old is the average HEI dist now, 25 yr's?

I know my HEI likes to go wild at times and throw the timing all over at high RPM. I have a new MSD dist going in this week.

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Old 03-10-2006, 10:31 AM
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Rugratman Rugratman is offline
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The ready to run, is just that. Drop it in and go.
No fuss, no headaches..3 years for me now.

I don't run a MSD box either, car ran great, I am adding a MSD box this spring, but as of now it runs great, adding the box for low end, as above, also the rev limiter.
I am also running the MSD blaster 2 coil.

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Old 03-11-2006, 11:35 AM
Bruce1223 Bruce1223 is offline
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I put the same msd #8528 you're talking about in my firebird last summer to replace it's points dist. So far it has worked perfectly, and like rugratman says--no headaches. There was perhaps a slight increase in performance. But, I think the most noticable improvement is improved starting, and the car seems to rum smoother. Just my $.02.


Bruce

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