Ignition Question

-
KevinB

KevinB

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Messages
851
Reaction score
317
Location
Austin
Will any SB distributor work in a 5.9 magnum? I.E. LA vs Magnum...does it matter?

Assuming no, and assuming I go with a typical MSD box, can I use a billet distributor with a built in coil, and that's it? Or would I need a ballast or anything else?
 
I you are going to carb a Mag, the ignition is no different than an LA. Depends on what you use ballast or no. Typical HEI, MSD, no ballast. Points, Mopar ECU, yes on ballast
 
FBO is some of the best stuff you can get. They have a distributor and factory style box in kit form, that comes with a super cool limiter plate, new distributor thats been blue printed , their made in USA box with rev limiter and Pertronix flame thrower coil.$299 with stock distributor or $430 for custom curved distributor. Thats probably very close to Chinese made MSD distributor and doesnt include coil or box. Let me know if you need help figuring it out, his site is not user friendly.
 
Why is the site not user friendly? Main page is www.4secondsflat.com and if you scroll down a little there is a complete index with all pages linked. Please let me know if your having a problem so I can fix it. Use my direct email, don't leave messages here is seldom get the time to come here.
 
Just my guess, but he may be referring to, not having any wiring schematics. If you're site doesn't, I think it would help anyone installing your products, especially on the weekend or just for planning.

As far as MSD goes, If their Dist doesn't have a vacuum advance, you may wish you had kept it.
Depends on what you plan on doing. And their tech line isn't so Hot, from my experience.

I now try to keep it simple, tired of all the bulky boxes and where to mount them and if I want to hook up a tach, I don't need to buy some overpriced adapter.
Don can answer any question you have, that's for sure. He helped me a ton, I use what I call his White Box, what is pictured.

Hope this helps !
 
That all looks nice but damn that is pricey. I don't have a lot of money so to me it is any way, I am doing what I can but damn. Is there any other way to eliminate the ballast resistor?
 
Save up, spend the money and be ahead of the game.
Been there done that prefer to have better equipment than just good equipment when ever possible.
 
Depending on the body style a billet distributor cap might hit the fire wall.
Really hard to beat a stock Mopar system. I use a stock recurved distributor with an FBO white box and the Pertronic coil, so no ballast resistor.
Whatever you do just make sure you use a vacuum advance if you plan on driving on the street.
 
cuda66273 said:
Why is the site not user friendly? Main page is www.4secondsflat.com and if you scroll down a little there is a complete index with all pages linked. Please let me know if your having a problem so I can fix it. Use my direct email, don't leave messages here is seldom get the time to come here.
Click to expand...

Don, let me rephrase that, what I meant was the site is not cell phone/tablet friendly...most people now days use their phone rather than a computer like us old folks and a site that works well on a pc doesnt always look/work well on phone or tablet. I have helped a few by just giving them the direct link to part.

Punisher..."That all looks nice but damn that is pricey. I don't have a lot of money so to me it is any way, I am doing what I can but damn. Is there any other way to eliminate the ballast resistor?"

You can buy a box and coil from Don or me, The price of the box is less than MSD junk made in China. I have several MSD 6AL from 90's that are USA made and still kicking but newer MSD boxes have a super high failure rate compared to the original ones.

If you are on a budget like most of us, get the box and coil for $199 and Don's limiter plate and use a factory Mopar distributor, harness etc. Top quality parts are not cheap, they are priceless!
 
Punisher66j said:
That all looks nice but damn that is pricey. I don't have a lot of money so to me it is any way, I am doing what I can but damn. Is there any other way to eliminate the ballast resistor?
Click to expand...
Why do you want to eliminate the ballast resistor? Burning them up frequently is a sign of another problem. If you go cheap on replacing the ballast setup you're likely to end up trading one headache for another and staying in the same boat.
 
Well I know one cheap way that will get me crucified but I run them on my demolition derby cars is a HEI distributer. I am currently doing a build with pretty much no money. Everyone can say save and so on but I am raising 3 kids and doing what I can so 200 may not sound like alot but it is to me. Believe me it isn't that I don't want the good stuff but with kids, truck payment, van payment, utilities, house payment, etc 200 is alot.
 
Infecteddog said:
Why do you want to eliminate the ballast resistor? Burning them up frequently is a sign of another problem. If you go cheap on replacing the ballast setup you're likely to end up trading one headache for another and staying in the same boat.
Click to expand...

As far as getting rid of the ballist resistor I just don't like them. I have never really had a issue in a street car but I have burnt up a **** ton on the derby and figure 8 track. That is the reason I switched to HEI or points on those cars. Less wires and less BS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top