Guest Mike Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Any caveats regarding modding an MSD E-Curve Distributor as follows? Is this "stoopid"? (1) By-pass the internal switches / pots. (2) Run shielded wires to a dash panel. (3) Add remote switches / pots to the dash panel. REASONING: Cost of this setup vs. a separate lock-out dizzy and separate boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Is this regarding the MSD "digital E-curve pro-billet" distributor, that goes for nearly $400? I was thinking about getting one of those - but wondering if it's a reasonable value - especially considering that this is evidently NOT a stand-alone unit, but requires a MSD capacitative-discharge box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Is this regarding the MSD "digital E-curve pro-billet" distributor, that goes for nearly $400? I was thinking about getting one of those - but wondering if it's a reasonable value - especially considering that this is evidently NOT a stand-alone unit, but requires a MSD capacitative-discharge box. Hi Michael. Yes, that's the one... about $375, I think. It's been awhile since I looked at it but I'm sure it only requires an external coil. MSD recommends a couple for best performance (MSD brand, of course) The reason I was looking at it is because it's easier and more convenient to set all the timing with pots than with weights and springs. The down-side is that the resolution is only 5 degrees so, if you want to retard or advance by 2 degrees, forget it. I suppose external resistors might be used to fine-tune... I dunno:confused: It depends on whether the those are pots or switches. If it came to that kind of tweaking, it seems self-defeating to buy that dizzy anyway:? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 After reading the manual (the action of last resort!) for this and other MSD distributors I realized that all of them - except for the HEI-style- require an external coil. The "digital" distributor, as you pointed out, is digital in name only - adjustments are made by turning potentiometers by discrete increments. Still, I was advised about the reliability advantage of the 8394 vs. a mechanical advance mechanism with weights and springs. Did you end up chosing a conventional model - such as the 8361 + 6AL + coil (such as the 8207)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 My dizzy purchase is on hold until I resolve some new issues. On a return trip from Austin I overheated the engine and may have warped a head. I'm getting coolant in the driver's side exhaust. I'm pulling the heads tomorrow for a full check at the machine shop. If they're damaged, I might just pull the 355 and build a 434 stroker. Bottom line on the current HEI is it must go. It's worn and the centrifugal advance needs replacement and tuning. I want easier, more consistent control with enhanced reliability. I'll probably opt for a regular billet dizzy with no vacuum or centrifugal advance. And control it all with a digital MSD or Crane unit mounted in the cabin. That way if I want to run 115 octane, I can add more advance. If I buy some bad gas, I can retard the timing. I also want to add nitrous so I need some automated retarding. If I wanted to go the easy/reliable route and no nitrous, I'd seriously consider the billet E-Curve. It looks like a winner to me. After reading the manual (the action of last resort!) for this and other MSD distributors I realized that all of them - except for the HEI-style- require an external coil. The "digital" distributor, as you pointed out, is digital in name only - adjustments are made by turning potentiometers by discrete increments. Still, I was advised about the reliability advantage of the 8394 vs. a mechanical advance mechanism with weights and springs. Did you end up chosing a conventional model - such as the 8361 + 6AL + coil (such as the 8207)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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