Ignition problems? Stick with factory or go aftermarket?

[Zack Mckellips]

So I have a basically stock 78 lil red express with few internal engine mods and a quick fuel carb , all factory wiring and Ignition system, only thing changed is the coil, it running like **** , all over the place , seems like an Ignition system issue to me , I have a full msd setup on my challenger,  works perfect love it , but do I spend 800+  to buy  that for the truck , or do I just start replacing the factory stuff that has probably seen better days , or go to a ready to run system, I see msd has them still pricey,  seen some cheap crappie on ebay for like $60 , sounds way to cheap , or are guys doing the hei thing ?  what are you guys doing when the factory stuff gets worn out ? Im figuring if I stick to factory,  either the distributor or the ecu box are probably were to start what is the most common  Ignition system part failure with older age?

[Bullitt-]

Biggest problem I've seen is poor connections coming to the ignition system not delivering proper voltages causing starting/running problems

[72rtchallenger]

I did something similar to this
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/1311-convert-a-ford-or-chrysler-ignition-to-gm-hei/

If you do a google search you will find out its very easy and very affordable and works great , its been on my challenger for the past 2 years and no problems, I actually made a heat sink and mounted were the ballast use to be, and left the orignal ecu for looks but this way cuts out ballast and ecu and I love it 

[sassygreen]

you will never get your car to fire quicker than a msd ignition. If you want to hear your car crank and crank and crank by all means use the weak factory ignition.

[Chryco Psycho]

Well if everything is working 100 % I doubt you could make 1 more HP with an MSD , it could be as simple as a bad contact or pick pup coil or even the pick up coil gap which should be .008 which is one of the first things I would check

[dfrazz]

I'm hearing good things about Firecore.  Just ordered a new set up for my Charger.

[Zack Mckellips]

Thanks for the input guys , all good info , I have a few donor vehicles too , so I'll probably check the gap and wiring terminal s and go from there , I do like my msd setup on the challenger too , so I guess I have some options anyway , just was wondering what people were doing with there cars

[dodj]

MSD for me. I noticed a distinct bottom end improvement, which is where most of the 'fun' driving is!   
Also quicker starts.

I imagine any manufacturers multi spark design will do the job better than stock '70's era ignition. 

I agree with CP though, high rpm peak horsepower is likely unchanged.

[rUNCHARGER]

I think the problem right now with factory stuff is getting a reliable ECU. 20 years ago it was a no brainer, just use a factory or MP ECU and stock distributor. Right now I like the availability and the performance of the MSD 6AL.
Because of my factory tachs I use MP chrome boxes in my cars but I have a new spare Chrome box/ballast in the glovebox of them as well. I haven't had any luck with aftermarket factory style ECU's either.

Sheldon

[solarguy]

I went with MSD on my 340 only because the ignition curve is sooo easy to dial in with the stop bushings,  (although I ended up needing the larger one from 4 seconds flat) using the msd distributor meant using the msd box, 6a in my case.  I believe there are stock type distributors that have easier adjustments for ignition curve available now though.  I happy but there are differnt options available than when I made the switch 10 years or so ago.