Hey gang, I got the 440 back from the machine shop, now the rebuild begins. I have a question concerning distributors whether to go with an ECU or MSD ready to run system. I have heard MSD is the way to go today, and the ECU was good for its time, what are your thoughts? I would like best bang for the buck, and ease of installment. Thanks Joe

 

Joe -

Unfortunately you're going to get a lot of fans in each camp. I've been using the Mopar Orange and Chrome boxes for decades and only had one fail after about 30 years. I'll stick with that for reliability and as you said, bang for the buck.

For a pure track car, the MSD system does provide more energy and has been around for about 40 years. Everyone I know has at least on "MSD knocked a friend (it's always - a friend) on his ***" story.

Most of the older Mopar guys in my neck of the woods aren't fans of MSDs for street rigs, unless you're trying to get every last HP out of the car.

So IMHO, the Mopar electronic ignition is hard to beat.

But like I said, each camp has it's fans and there are even folks using converted GM HEI's on Mopars... (yuck).

Archer

 

Mopar is cheaper and it works.
MSD is more money and it works.
Summit also makes a MSD knock off that is cheaper and works just as good.

 

Personally I have never had an Ign box go bad. I have had the distributor pick up go bad. You can't beat the stock system on the street

 

I had a pick up get chewed to hell and two boxes go bad on me making my car not start and making my tach flip out like crazy at idle.


The best bet on anything is to go MSD. You can't beat it, and honestly, its not THAT expensive, especially compared to how much you just put into your engine..

Why wouldn't you want all the horse power you can get out of it..

 

From what I have read the ECU is reliable and provides plenty of spark for a slightly modified engine. I am not sure about which box to use black, orange or, chrome? Then lastly is there a need for ignition box with the ECU or a special heat range with the spark plugs? Mancini Racing has ECU packages with wires and coils at a reasonable price along with MSD.

 

Joe -

The only real difference with the Mopar boxes is the rpm range. I forget what the stock (black) box is good for, but the orange box is good for about 6,000 and the chrome box over 6,500. I've heard reports of 8,000, but can't verify that.

Most mildly modified 440 will redline in the low 6,000, since the chrome box is only about $60 and the orange is $40, basically pick one.

Archer

 

If you're having low speed misses or #1 or #8 plugs keep getting fouled, MSD is the way to go. I use it all the time now, watch e-Bay for good deals, and since I started using it, I've never had those 2 plugs foul out on me

 

Checking out the WEB and came across this from 440 source- http://store.440source.com/Street-Di...info/117-1002/ Has anyone used or heard about it?

 

Seems too cheap to me. Spend some more money. Even MSD's ready to run distributors ain't that cheap.

 

I HAVE RAN BOTH THE STOCK ELECTRONIC DIST. and MALLORY UNILITE DIST. IN SMALL BLOCKS (Mopars Ofcourse) THE REAL DIFFERENCE IS THE COST IF YOU NEED TO REPLACE ANY INTERNALS IN MY OPINION,ALSO PERSONALLY I LIKE THE FACTORY LOOK ALTHOUGH I LIKED THE UNILITE SET UP TOO.

 

Am liking the MSD set up, even though the stock look is nice, the ready to run are simple and work well for upgrades later. I have a few weeks before I am to that part and will do some more research with reviews.