This was an idea that's been kicked around at work. I'm not sure if we'd be able to hit pricing targets for it or if some of the components we'd need are readily available, but before looking into that in depth, I first wanted to see if there's a market.

Basically, I've been hearing enough complaints that the quality of Mopar Performance ignition boxes has gone downhill since they shipped the production off to China. So would there be any interest in an American made (with some foreign components - for example, the power transistors would be German), high performance version of this box that uses newer ignition technology? It would have to be priced a bit higher, probably somewhere between the current chrome and gold boxes. It would be meant to be in the same performance league as the price tag would suggest, though, and this box could be run without a ballast resistor. It would bolt to the stock mounting holes and plug into the stock wiring.

Would this be something that you'd say there is a market for? If so, how important is it that the box look like the stock unit? It would be cheaper if the appearance doesn't have to follow the current design.

(I figure most people here would go for HEIs, but if there's interest here, some other forums would probably be even more interested.)

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

Well, I don't know a lot about it but here are my thoughts. If the box offers no appreciable performance advantage of the HEI module and it doesn't look like the stock module ( for those to whome such things matter ) what's the point? HEI modules are readily available for cheap so the only real reason for using something else would be to make it look stock.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

You can hollow out a dead stock module and hide the HEI underneath it, if you just HAVE to have the mopar style ignition box.

Already available from FBO. I have one of his modules in my '73. Is it better than stock? Donno. The car starts and runs well.
That'd be different than the FBO box, which uses a different-than-stock (lower-ohm) ballast.

Would this be electrically more or less an HEI module with Mopar housing and plug?
Not at all important. If it's bolt-and-plug compatible with the Mopar box, then a Mopar box can be put back on for shows if desired.
That's the comparison I'd be interested in.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I've seen the FBO setup, although I'm not sure of the details of what is inside it. The concept I have is fairly close to a HEI system with a Mopar case and plug - or more accurately, a Mopar equivalent to this. I haven't really drawn up a complete feature list, but it would most likely be a digital system with precise dwell control. Possible features might include adjustable dwell to handle different coil types, a rev limiter, or maybe a low RPM multispark capability if it turns out to be useful. It would be inductive, though, not CDI - no way to make a completely wire-in CDI box.

Not sure if anything will come of this, just wanted to see what sort of interest was out there.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

I would be more interested in a universal or near universal wiring harness to upgrade our headlights to being operated by relays. I imagine it wouldn't be too terribly difficult to come up with one that would fit the majority of single and/or dual headlight vehicles with only a minimum of cutting and splicing.

HEI is just too cheap and easy an upgrade that is already available to warrant developing yet another ignition system.

*Ahem*

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... elays.html

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

That is exactly what I am talking about, but in premade kit format. My soldering skills suck.

No soldering is involved, but if you want a built-up harness, send me an email. That option's available. (There are also prefab universal headlamp harnesses all over the internet, all from China. If it's a choice between that junk and stock wiring, leave the stock wiring.)

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Hmmmmmmmm. Great, now I have something else to save up money for. Thanks Dan!

I wouldn't want to step on Dan's toes here; he already does a great job with his relay kits. We have considered other wiring products though to expand on the Weather Pack kits, but I don't know if anything will happen there just yet. I'm starting to think that if we did go for something along the lines of an easy Mopar ignition upgrade, a harness that plugs a HEI module into a Mopar distributor plug might make more sense.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair