HEI Distributor

[key]

Just ordered an HEI Distributor from Performance Distributor.
http://www.performancedistributors.com/amcdui.htm
Let you guys know how it works out. ;)

[VAJeepGeek]

What is better, this or TFI? Bang for buck anyway...

[paddyp]

I am a big fan of the HEI, but there are a lot of opinions on this one. I don't have an HEI in my Jeep yet, but when the money comes around again, I will probably put one in. Just my .02.

[89grand]

I just did the TFI upgrade several weeks ago and I would find it hard to believe if a HEI was more bang for the buck. I thought the TFI stories were hype or people with bad ignition systems but it really made a difference on my Grand and it was running good before. At around 100 bucks it can't be beat and it was easier to do than a HEI swap.

[Kukur]

I have the TFI on my Wag and the HEI on my CJ7. Both work really well... I would not be able to tell you the difference between their preformance, but compared to stock they rock.

I think TFI is a better value if you have a strict budget... although I like the HEI because it cleans up the motor area with less wires (coil is built into the cap) and you eliminate the stock ignition module.

[89grand]

Thats true. I think I will be getting the MSD ignition, that should help clean things up...and hopefuly running even better too.

[TimK]

What would a TFI cost if you didn't hit a junk yard and just got the parts you needed from a auto parts store?

a similar topic a few days ago:
http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=016014

basicly, he'll build and ship a HEI unit for $165, just add the cost of wires it seems...

[89grand]

I bought the distributor cap and cap base for an 86 ford 460 with brass connectors,new plugs gapped to.045" premium plug wires from a 90 Ford 460 a TFI coil and a coil wire harness from MSD. for about $120. Could have saved about $16 if didn't buy the MSD harness. Also took a hack saw to my original coil bracket.

[Bombadier]

The TFI conversion is too dang easy to pass up.... i like the idea of consolidating cap and coil into one unit, but it's pretty pricey....

I bought all my parts brand new, and it cost my just a hair under $100. I couldn't find any spiral-core premium wires, so i had to go with crappy Accels....

[bigblack'74]

hei is better because with tfi you still have a very cappy ignition system..ie motorcrap..the ecu's are not known for any type reliabuility..people only think it is fine till they start to burn them up...i have been there along with every other "ford guy" in the world smile.gif

[jeepinrandy]

My Waggy came with an MSD6 ignition installed and I just added the TFI parts. I am in the process of installing the engine so I can't speak on perforemance yet.

On my 81 CJ7 with the 258, GM HEI from a bone yard with a drive gear from a V8 was under $60. Not a bad deal at all, but I took it out when I had an ignition module problem and sold it. Now I am running the TFI setup, I can't say there is any difference in perforemance. As for ignition modules, the one in my CJ7 is a factory original 24 years old and the one in my brother's 78 is 27 years old.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Where are you guys getting your TFI upgrades for the 360? I saw setups for the I-6 engines on eBay, but not for the V-8's.

[talntar]

you should be able to get the parts at any parts store.

[Iron Horse]

Originally posted by The Anti-Chrysler:
Where are you guys getting your TFI upgrades for the 360? I saw setups for the I-6 engines on eBay, but not for the V-8's.Go to IRBOBS website.....he has a list with all part numbers.

[jeepinrandy]

This is what I used:
TFI Ignition link for FSJ V8 (http://fsjeep.homestead.com/TFI_Upgade.html)
Pretty decent price if you shop around a little. :D

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Hey guys, what do you think about this link for the complete TFI upgrade???

If I can get the coil bracket pre-fabricated, I think I might go that way...

http://crtperformance-store.site.yahoo.net/juicgol8cylu.html

[talntar]

if you realy want the tfi coil bracket you can get it off most any late model ford in the junkyard.i just mod. the stock one for now.

[89grand]

I wouldn't bother buying it pre-packaged it's more expensive. I put this whole thing together at Checker auto parts. You need a distributor cap base, distributor cap and rotor which you can buy as a set for an 86 ford 460. Plug wires for a 90 ford 460,new spark plugs gaped to .045 and I also bought a MSD TFI coil plug so I wouldn,t have to cut things. I took a hack saw to my original coil bracket, that only took 5 minutes it was that easy. You don't need a TFI bracket. Total cost about $120. No shipping cost and no waiting.

[89grand]

TFI advantages that I noticed: Drastic idle improvement (wasn't too bad before)faster starting and more freeway passing power. I can't speak for mileage but when you're driving a FSJ what difference does it make.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Yeah, I think it is time to upgrade. I was also having moisture problems with those Ford style distributor and module connectors. That site I referenced includes just about everything it seems, and they have free shipping. So to save maybe 20 bucks, it might not be worth running all around to gather parts?

I'd rather convert to GM HEI, except that its much more expensive. I'd love to be able to put that Ford Duraspark module where it belongs - in the garbage!

[89grand]

I didn't have to run around, I bought everything at Checker. I'll be putting the ford duraspark where it belongs too when I get my MSD 6A. I have to admit I haven't had any problems with the duraspark module and I've had my Grand for 2 years, it has 138,000 miles on it. I can assure you that when you do the upgrade you'll wish you did it even sooner, it really does make a difference, I was a little skeptical at first myself.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

I guess I've mostly had poroblems with the connectors corroding at the module, than anything else. I ended up grafting a module from a '91 G-Wag that had weather pak connectors. But I did have a CJ that went through 2 of those modules. Anything we can do to De-Ford these rigs is good!

I will have to upgrade either way I go, to TFI, it sounds.

[Elliott]

$165 is a great price for the HEI, I'll be buying one and trashin' the motorcrap ignition that I darn sure wouldn't want to trust 60 miles into the bush when they die left and right on the freeway. Is motorcrap so good you would actually spend money to replace it when it goes?
I haven't read up on the TFI because there doesn't seem to be much point in adding $$$ to a known weak system.JMHO

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Where can you get HEI for $165? I would love to be able to get rid of ALL of the Ford ignition parts - GM would be my first choice. The TFI still doesn't rid us of that **** Duracrap module - I actually carry an extra in the cab!!

I bought the coil, cap and rotor, cap adaptor and wires at autozone yesterday, for $55 before tax. Going to get the coil bracket and wire pigtail from the junkyard Satruday.

[TimK]

Read the post below, Ted Wandel, email him and he should be able set you up....

http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=016014

[89grand]

Well if you want the ford stuff out of there so bad, which is probably a good idea then you could do the TFI upgrade and replace the duraspark module with a MSD6A. This setup would still only run about $250 or so and would probably kick *** on an HEI. I don't really like the idea of ford crap in my truck , but I'm not so sure I want GM stuff in there either. I'll take a MSD ignition over anything from GM.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Yeah, that's probably what I would do at this point - get a MSD down the road when I can afford to get one. I think both the GM HEI and TFI are both upgradable from places like Summit with high performance parts.

For now, I will start with the standard TFI upgrade. I always carry an extra Duraspark module in the truck just in case - was thinking of holding it onto the fender with quick-clips or something for quick roadside changes!! haha

[oddfire]

good luck with MSD. Mine ran for 6 months before dying. Have know at least 6 others that have also died. H.E.I is the way to go..............phil

[key]

Just got the HEI in!
Will install this weekend and let you guys know how it goes, and if its worth the buck.

[VAJeepGeek]

Mine went in this week. Its quite the tight fit. I had to rotate it so the vacuum advance was pretty much up against the top water pump hose. The normal way, the connector on the side was up against the power steering pump.

But after making some room, there's now plenty of room for adjustment.

[key]

Ya I had the same problem, not much room due to the power steering pump.
I can tell the difference, but this was not a cheap upgrade and I question the bang for the buck.
Think I'll put in a bigger cam and see how I like that.
Later

[billyrb]

Cam would help alot....with the DUI, did you gap the plugs to .055" and also, did you use heli-coil wires?

[key]

I have not set the gap yet, and yes I did use the 8 mm wires.
Reason I have not set the plug, They B hot right now.
Any ideas for a cam ?

[billyrb]

You said you used 8mm wires....were they just standard 8mm wires, or were they heli-coil? Reason I ask is that they DUI will perform better with heli-coils rather than standard 8mm wires.

As for cam, I would recommend the P.A.W. medium-range for our rigs. just a hair more bump than the summit rv cam.

[key]

I got the wires from DUI. They came with the Distributor.
Who is P.A.W and where do I find them ?

[oddfire]

Performance Auto Warehouse

www.pawengineparts.com (http://www.pawengineparts.com)

[key]

Thanks !