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Electronic ignition conversion
https://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32848
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Author:  Jester [ Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Electronic ignition conversion

I bought just about everything needed to do an HEI conversion to my '72 Swinger. The only problem is, my car qualifies for Collector plates, and I have to keep everything looking stock, so I can't install the HEI stuff.

Going to have to go with an Mopar electronic ignition conversion instead. I have the electronic distributor, but need to know what else I need to do this.

Thanks, and if anyone needs some brand new HEI stuff on the cheap, let me know :)

Author:  Reed [ Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:49 pm ]
Post subject: 

I'm PMing you about the HEI.

Author:  armyofchuckness [ Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:50 pm ]
Post subject: 

Quote:
I'm PMing you about the HEI.
D'oh! I was gonna do that.

Author:  Jester [ Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:15 pm ]
Post subject: 

:) I was wondering if one could gut a non-working orange box or something and install the HEI module inside it, then try to wire everything up to look stock. Maybe use a blaster II ignition coil or whatever.

I purchased (from rockauto.commy) one of those ugly GM Standard MP DR35 coils, and an SMP LX-301 ignition module. The only thing I'm missing is the relay.

anybody have a junk Mopar Ignition box they want to get rid of, so I can see if it fits?

I won't sell the HEI stuff until it's replaced with Mopar, just in case.

Author:  slantvaliant [ Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Electronic ignition conversion

Quote:
The only problem is, my car qualifies for Collector plates, and I have to keep everything looking stock, so I can't install the HEI stuff.
You can have a Mopar EI, but not HEI?

If it must be very stock-looking, that might be a case for a Pertronix unit and a good coil. One could argue that they are replacemenst for the stock wear items.

Unless someone has a sharp eye for Mopar distributors, or counts wires, HEI could be hidden. I mounted my module to the fender, but it could go almost anywhere that it could be grounded and cooled.

Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:36 am ]
Post subject: 

Yeah, I'm kinda curious: Whose "must be stock" regulation is it that you have to follow, and what exactly does it say?

Author:  Jester [ Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:24 am ]
Post subject: 

ICBC = Insurance Corporation of BC = a monopoly on our car insurance :(

"Engine compartment - Era correct options only. Aftermarket dressup should be era correct. Engine should be stock engine for the year of manufacture. Era correct headers, intake manifolds and replacement carburetors. "

Basically, I could update a few things, as long as it's "era correct". Offy intakes and all that are probably era correct, as well as electronic ignition upgrade. If nobody notices the HEI ignition, maybe I could get away with it, but were it to be in an accident... ICBC may use it as a loophole to back out of their insurance coverage.

The car already has non-stock hood scoops and a bumblebee stripe, but were deemed "era correct".

Author:  Reed [ Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:03 am ]
Post subject: 

Get a crusty old horn out of a Dodge truck (or any other car), hollow it out, and mount the coil and HEI in there.

Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:20 am ]
Post subject: 

Don't knock ICBC, you guys have a great thing going out there. Here in Ontario, we can only wish we had a public auto insurance system identical to ICBC. Instead, we're at the mercy of the private insurance cartel, who charge truly asinine rates ($900 per year for a basic, low-power, non-theft-risk car driven 6,000km per year and parked in a locked garage, and that's for basic, minimum-legal-requirements liability coverage, no comprehensive, no collision) and cry about how poverty-stricken they are while at the same time building giant high-rise palaces downtown to house their luxurious corporate offices. We almost got public auto insurance a couple years ago when the cartel jacked prices unjustifiably yet again, but the insurance companies bought a bunch of lobbyists and advertising time and got it killed. They know exactly what they're doing.

"Era correct" is such a vague term that it would be wide open to interpretation even just informally, and would be laughed right out of court. For starters, what's an "era"? Are we talking about the 1972-1974 "era"? Or the 1970-'79 "era"? Or the 1972-1982 "era"? Or the Dart/Valiant "era"? Or the pre-emission-control "era"? Or the "era" of cars built more than 25 years ago? That's number one. Number two, I am quite certain ICBC don't insist that you go buy 1972-type bias-ply tires from Coker or whoever. They're happier for you to have modern radials, even though you'd've had to jump through hoops and call all over town to find a set in 1972. Same goes for belts and hoses, engine oil and coolant, wiper blades and a whole bunch of other repair parts; today's wouldn't have been found in 1972, but that's OK.

HEI was introduced in 1975. You could've gone to any GM dealer starting in the autumn of 1974 and bought all the parts to convert your '72 to HEI (except the distributor itself, which starting in the fall of 1972 you could've bought at a Chrysler dealer). I would say that puts you on very solid ground for HEI being an "era-correct" modification.

Author:  steponmebbbboom [ Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:33 pm ]
Post subject: 

Quote:
Don't knock ICBC, you guys have a great thing going out there. Here in Ontario, we can only wish we had a public auto insurance system identical to ICBC. Instead, we're at the mercy of the private insurance cartel, who charge truly asinine rates ($900 per year for a basic, low-power, non-theft-risk car driven 6,000km per year and parked in a locked garage, and that's for basic, minimum-legal-requirements liability coverage, no comprehensive, no collision)
Pff, I have three 16km/over limit tickets and one at-fault rearend "collision" (no damage to my car, other car repaired for $127) on my record and pay over 400 per MONTH. for ONE CAR. my last ticket (16km over limit, on the nose, on ottawa's 416 so i couldnt fight it) resulted in a conviction surcharge of $146 per month.

i used to drive three to four hours per day for work and it added up. if the cops are doing a blitz even if you are driving with the flow of traffic, you are nailed to the wall. those convictions stay on my record for SEVEN YEARS.

Author:  sandy in BC [ Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:43 pm ]
Post subject: 

ICBC will never figure out a lil HEI rewire. Just do a Factory looking job.

When I punted the elk out of Glacier National park they said squat about my car mods (like a 5 speed)....and they fixed the car.

Author:  Jester [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:34 am ]
Post subject: 

hmm... I'll attempt making a nice install of the HEI, after the car passes Aircare. I just have to wait until the snow clears.

Aircared once, then receive collector plates and it won't need to go through again.

Author:  Jester [ Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:37 pm ]
Post subject: 

snow is almost gone, but now there's too much salt and sand on the roads to drive it :(

seriously though, what all do I need to purchase to switch over to MOPAR electronic ignition? Just in-case I decide to keep it all stock looking.

Author:  SwingerDeluxe [ Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Electronic ignition conversion

Quote:
Quote:
The only problem is, my car qualifies for Collector plates, and I have to keep everything looking stock, so I can't install the HEI stuff.
You can have a Mopar EI, but not HEI?

If it must be very stock-looking, that might be a case for a Pertronix unit and a good coil. One could argue that they are replacemenst for the stock wear items.

Unless someone has a sharp eye for Mopar distributors, or counts wires, HEI could be hidden. I mounted my module to the fender, but it could go almost anywhere that it could be grounded and cooled.
I have a '72 Swinger also; What difference and overall performance would be in installing the Pertronix unit and a good coil compared to a complete MOPAR EI or the HEI?

Author:  440_Magnum [ Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:31 am ]
Post subject: 

Quote:
:) I was wondering if one could gut a non-working orange box or something and install the HEI module inside it, then try to wire everything up to look stock. Maybe use a blaster II ignition coil or whatever.
I did EXACTLY that about a year ago. Pictures here:

http://lonestar.texas.net/~sglacker/HEI_and_ND_alt/


Obviously mine doesn't LOOK stock, but unless you're racing in a stock class its not an issue. This minor mod will never get flagged by registration/inspection. I suppose you could mount the HEI on the underside of the gutted Mopar box, but the main reason I did this in the first place were 1) to be plug-compatible with a Mopar box (also requires moving a wire on the ballast resistor to switch over to Mopar- takes about 3 seconds) and 2) which is the BIG reason- to take advantage of the heat-sink built into the Mopar box. I'd worry about roasting the EFI if it weren't bolted solidly to that aluminum heat sink.

FWIW, my setup has been running without a hiccup for a long time now. There were a few early problems when I first converted to HEI- it turns ou that you have to give the coil a VERY solid 12V supply and not be current-limited in any way when running HEI, or it just won't fire reliably. Upgrade the coil feed wiring and all is good.

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