TFI vs. HEi

[79_Limited]

I thought I was for sure going to go with the TFI upgrade until a couple of the guys on the Yahoo FSJ mailing list said the HEI was better because the weak link would still be the Motorcraft distributor for the TFI. What do you think?

Here is what I came up with.

All TFI parts (including the MSD 6 ignition module) will come to about the same cost as if I get the GM HEI all in one package. Not to mention I will have to spend time at a junkyard hunting down a TFI bracket and it is a little more of a hassle to install.

Also, seems like I heard someone mention they did their ignition upgrade with the Mallory. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for the help.

Greg

[Rande]

I think the HEI would be a better way to go than the TFI. The TFI will be somewhat less expensive but, as you said, you still have the Motorcraft ignition box in the system.

I have no experience with the Mallory system.

[The PIG Smith]

From what I gathered when I was researching this topic, sometime back, a modified HEI is a nice piece but because it sits in a 'hole', it has limited adjustment that has caused some concern.

I do not know this first hand, so you fellows with HEIs tell us the facts!

[marcd]

It's my understanding that you can get an HEI setup for as little as $250 (from the guy that posts here). The TFI costs about $100.

But if the duraspark goes bad, aren't those about $125 to replace? So now you're talking $225 and still have the duraspark.

If all the above is true, I'd rather just spend the $250 up front. Can someone enlighten me as to whether the above is correct?

[tomd]

Originally posted by marcd:
It's my understanding that you can get an HEI setup for as little as $250 (from the guy that posts here). The TFI costs about $100.

But if the duraspark goes bad, aren't those about $125 to replace? So now you're talking $225 and still have the duraspark.

If all the above is true, I'd rather just spend the $250 up front. Can someone enlighten me as to whether the above is correct?IIRC, it was less than $250, for some reason i'm thinking $150? But i don't remember, would really like to get a hold of that guy though, would like HEI...

[Stuka]

Nothing wrong with the duraspark ignition box. Been running them for along time in our fords with no problems. Only ignition mods usedin FSJ's that had problems are the prestolite ones. Those are terrible.

I just ordered the TFI kit for my 258. The HEI was nice, but doesnt offer anything over the TFI. As the TFI kit that I got uses a HEI coil, not the TFI coil that fords use. So TFI cap, rotor, 8mm wires, and HEI coil with bracket to bolt into stock location. Should have it by friday or saturday smile.gif

[Tigger]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33690&item=2438196048

HEI Distributor on ebay $125 is the bid. Last one went for $192.

[chr1s]

I bought my Wag in June and it needed a new ignition module(duraspark), so I bought one and it came with a lifetime warranty!(it dies- I get a new one:)
Did the TFI upgrade and havent had 1 problem.

[Santa Claus]

I worked as a mechanic for several years in independent shops, the ratio was about 2.5 to 1 for problems with HEI over Motorcraft. For what its worth. If you do go HEI be sure to carry a spare module and rotor at all times.

[PAJEEPER]

While I can't say for sure which is better the HEI is all self contained. I like the simplicity of it but id say both systems are pretty good.

[Mavawreck]

Im not sure i can agree with Stuka, it seems to me like as far as FSJs go, ignition modules just plain suck. Im on my third at the moment, i switched to an MSD 6A box which i mounted on the tranny hump inside. Im still scared of road trips. I havent heard much about HEI, most seem to think its a good way to go. As far as goin to the junkyard to get a TFI bracket, i dont know what that is cuz i sure dont have one. Im runnin the TFI cap and rotor, a MSD blaster 2 coil, and the 6A box. Id say i have way more than 250 in my system, 40 for the coil, 158 for the module from summit, wires, plugs, cap, rotor. Ive noticed a huge improvement though, the accelaration is much smoother and i have more power. Spark knock also seems to have become less noticable

[ffej]

But if the duraspark goes bad, aren't those about $125 to replace? So now you're talking $225 and still have the duraspark.
Duraspark Module goes for about 16 bucks at the zone with a lifetime warranty..32 bucks is all you'll ever have to spend on em! One for the run and one for a spare! :D

[Chero77]

Both systems have good reputations with HEI probably being preferred. They are both about equally durable. However, pretty much the entire hot rod community prefers HEI because of its one wire hookup. You really can't beat it. One wire and your set to go. The Duraspark, on the other hand, at least if your orginal distributor is a Prestolite, requires a lot of new wiring and you still have a box on your fenderwell. Just not as clean as HEI.

[243]

I never wrenched on HEI's but I did run them for about 18 years. The only time I had a failure it was not the module but a 10.00 wiring harness. They are real good in wet conditions, have a lot of R&D by the hotrod and racing groups, have a one wire hook-up as already mentioned, they have a wide gap cap that doesn't need an adapter and a spark plug lock ring that also keeps the wires in order.

[ October 20, 2003, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: 243 ]

[Gwamp]

Originally posted by ffej:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />But if the duraspark goes bad, aren't those about $125 to replace? So now you're talking $225 and still have the duraspark.
Duraspark Module goes for about 16 bucks at the zone with a lifetime warranty..32 bucks is all you'll ever have to spend on em! One for the run and one for a spare! :D </font>[/QUOTE]That's fine unless your spare is junk as well leaving you stranded! :rolleyes: :D

I have a nice new HEI unit from Zack waiting to go into my motor. I can't wait to fire it up and see how it works out.

[Stuka]

Originally posted by BobthaBuilder:
Im not sure i can agree with Stuka, it seems to me like as far as FSJs go, ignition modules just plain suck. Im on my third at the moment, i switched to an MSD 6A box which i mounted on the tranny hump inside. Im still scared of road trips. I havent heard much about HEI, most seem to think its a good way to go. As far as goin to the junkyard to get a TFI bracket, i dont know what that is cuz i sure dont have one. Im runnin the TFI cap and rotor, a MSD blaster 2 coil, and the 6A box. Id say i have way more than 250 in my system, 40 for the coil, 158 for the module from summit, wires, plugs, cap, rotor. Ive noticed a huge improvement though, the accelaration is much smoother and i have more power. Spark knock also seems to have become less noticableThats odd. My J10's module is factory, and put well over 150k on the fords with it. All run fine. I am almost wondering if the FSJ wirering can possibly be messed up to send the wrong voltage to it in some cases. The reasons the prestolites fail like crazy is from heat. They dont cool and get hot to the touch. My TFI setup cost me 105 bucks for the whole thing. I was gona go HEI, but it was closer to 250 for everything new.

[LRRH]

I would vote for the HEI. I have helped put 2 of them on 258s and just recently 1 on a 401.

In each case instant improvement and no problems since. THe V8's can be expensive...but for the I6 just find one of a Cheby and change the drive gear out for the stock one of your distributor. Replace cap & rotor....HEI for under $100. =)

[89grand]

I've got the TFI and MSD 6A, it's a good setup. There is nothing wrong with the Motorcraft distributor except the small cap and rotor, hence the TFI, and the ignition module is bypassed with the MSD so it isn't even an issue any more. Also the stock coil bracket can be easily modified for the TFI coil. I did mine in about 5 minutes.

[79_Limited]

Hmm sounds like overall that the TFI is a good choice compared to stock but the HEI is the best. Unfortunately by the time you buy replacement wires you are looking at over $300 for the whole setup. Any other "extra" parts needed that did not come with Zacks setup?

Thanks for all of the help.

[flyboy]

Got my HEI here jeepcj5@arczip.com from Wendel $165 shipped. Plug wires were $28 from the zone. Haven't had time to install it yet, but fab work looks really good.

[Stuka]

yumyum: you can guy an entire TFI setup that uses an HEI coil for just over 100 bucks. This includes, cap, rotor, adapter, wires, coil.

[1BDWAGN]

I bought the same setup as Flyboy for the same price. I can't complain. Since I have had mainly GM vehicles an HEI is nothing new to me. And I don't have any bad experiences to share. Hopefully I can get it installed soon. I like the whole all in one deal instead of having a coil mounted over in one spot and a module on the fender. I am also surprised that GMs modules fit under the cap easily and the ford is some huge box bolted on the fender.

[79_Limited]

Stuka and bd2thbnAZ

Where did you guys get your setup for such a good price?

Thanks!