Thread: MSD Super HEI Kit

Tweet

Anyone have any experience with the MSD Super HEI Kit? I want to juice up my stock HEI ignition on my SBC 383, but my HEI distributor is brand new and I'd hate to let it go to waste, so I've been thinking about using the distributor and swapping in the MSD system and the MSD spiral core spark plug wires on it.




https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-85001

the coil ` box and wires are all you really need .. i have always ran stock dizzys with mine .. you will love it ...

This has been a hot topic since the days of single versus dual point versus magneto ignitions and a lot of bad information out there from people who have spent a boatload of money on aftermarket ignition components that make zero difference but they are too embarrassed to admit such afterwords.

I have run a lot of stock GM HEI as well as those with an MSD coil and found little difference in most street situations. The stock HEI lets you comfortably run a . 045-.048 gap and the MSD coil is good for .050-.055 which gives a lot of real hot spark and clean burn. Both combinations perform well up to 6,000 which is well below most driving conditions most of the time.

If you live in a 6,000 -7,000 RPM world on a regular basis things change and those who tinker for .01 improvements in an ET will build some serious ignition systems that are designed to give you a big blast for the few seconds you need in a 1/4 mile.

Read these two articles before you invest any money:
Ignition Performance Test - Hot Rod Network
HEI Distributors - Addressing 10 Common Myths - Super Chevy Magazine

You may find it best to stay stock or perhaps a MSD coil.

Glenn

And one more thing - wires are probably more important. Good 8mm with silicone boots are a must. It's amazing to see the "spider webs" off the wires in a dark garage. Wires are a relatively inexpensive maintenance item every couple years.

To be honest, I think where I'd see the most gains from the multiple spark with my set up is at lower rpms during cold starts. While my car has decent street manners with 10:1 compression and a fairly mild roller camshaft (241 deg Intake / 246 deg Exhaust duration @ .050” and .558" Intake / .566 Exhaust lift with a 110 degree lobe separation), it's old school with a 750 Holley, no choke, aluminum heads and a 160 thermostat, it can be a bear during initial starts in cold weather.

Originally Posted by DennyW

Not knocking your setup, but I see a couple things wrong, right off the bat.

Please elaborate..............

Yes, really. I'm always open to learning something, even if it's only somebody else's opinion.

A can of start fluid would be cheaper, possibly more effective for cold start.

and a backfire with open carb could be an instant garage / house fire?????????

todays peeps don't know about pumping the carb while cranking to squirt some fuel and then cranking with throttle closed and repeat if necessary-------but starting fluid with open carb( minus aircleaner) is an fire waiting to happen-------

I installed a 160 thermostat to help keep things cool during the summer and avoid any preignition, during the summer it'll run right around 180-190, maybe even around 200 in heavy traffic; we have hot summers here in Arkansas. I do have a choke, it's a manual choke hanging on my shop wall; I own five vehicles and the camaro is not my daily, unless the weather is nice. Yes, you could say I laid down on that one. I'm running 10w-30 dino oil in it and I don't drive it unless I'll be able to get it up to operating temp. Like I said before, I like the idea of a multiple spark at lower rpms and I want the rev limiter, but was interested to hear any negatives from using this kit on an HEI distributor.

read post # 2 again ,,

if the Holley is a double pumper you really don't need a choke

Ok, I've got a silly question for you guys, reading the online instructions for this kit, it mentions something about possibly needing to by pass the in line filter for the stock GM tachometer to work with it? I've never installed one of these kits and would like to keep my stock tach with the install, but have no idea where this in line filter would be located; can anyone elaborate on this and and point me in the right direction?

You need a wiring diagram for your Camaro. If it's anything like my 76 Vette there is a filter assembly on the back of the tach.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

You need a wiring diagram for your Camaro. If it's anything like my 76 Vette there is a filter assembly on the back of the tach.

I'll dig into the diagrams then, I checked the harness under the hood and the filter isn't out there, so you are probably correct.