Electronic ignition on the cheap?

[Fury Boy]

As you Know(or maybe not), Me and my dad are building a budget drag racer out of a '63 plymouth Fury. We have a '71 383 motor w/ stock single point ignition. What eletronic distributor can I use? I want to use a Chrome E.C.U. What car can I get the distributor off? I am thinking about maybe one off a '76-'78 400 pick-up or Cordoba. Are there any other cars that would have one I could use?

[SixPakPete]

You could reuse your existing distributor and go with a Pertronix electronic ignition which fits inside your stock distributor with no need for any external control box. They cost around $75. Just an alternative idea to consider.

SixPakPete

[SixPakPete]

Check out the other topic in this forum a couple of days ago "Gear recommendation..." for some other really good feedback as well.

SixPakPete

[Fury Boy]

Well assuming a control box would cost $50, it would probably be cheaper going with Petronix. I have considered this, but I always thought you had to have a control box though.

[mtrv8n]

mopar electronic ignitions require a control box. Which one you want depends on what rpm you need. up to 6k , the orange is fine, then the chrome to 7k, and over that the gold.

The pertronix units I have no idea about. I would think not, since resto guys use them to hide the upgrade.

[billy frank]

The petronix is a good deal and you can hook it up to an MSD later when you have the cash.
billy frank

[SixPakPete]

The Pertronix does not require nor does it use an external box. It is a completely self contained unit. However, you can add a MSD CD system to it with no problem later on if you want the hotter spark. The Pertronix will also live with a hotter coil too. So you can start with just the Pertronix, go to a hotter coil then to the MSD as your needs dictate.

SixPakPete

[JVMopar]

Yes you could use a distributor out of a 400. Chrysler was the first to offer electronic ignition. So you could actually go from '73-'78 but the distributor has to be from a 400. A 440 distributor is a little different and requires an adaptor. The Pertronix sounds like a good option though.

Many years ago before I understood electronic ignition, I converted a lean burn 400 to points using a 383 distributor. The distibutor shaft was different and had to retain the 400 distributor shaft. The 440 shaft is also longer but otherwise the same. All the internals will interchange. Later when I learned more I converted back to electronc. My latest conversion is on my 70 Charger W/383. Took the internals (reluctor, pickup, maounting plate, etc) from a 74 440 distributor (all interchangeable) bought an over the counter ECU ($18) and wired it myself. This is one of the simplest and economical and dependable swaps I have ever made. Hope this helps.

[mopar413]

MY TWO CENTS ,I HAVE THE PERTRONIX IN MY 413,IT WAS EASY TO INSTALL,WORKS GREAT,I USED A MSD COIL,LESS THAN 70 BUCKS FOR THE UNIT.I HAD TO RUN ONE WIRE,( NOT THROUGH THE RESISTOR) TO THE UNIT.CANT BEAT IT FOR THE MONEY.

[HOLESHOT]

PERTRONIX IS THE WAY TO GO,IVE RUN THEM IN MANY STREET AND DRAG CARS,CHEAP COIL UP GRADE IS THE DG313 A MOTOCRAFT OR EQUAL(HIGH OUTPUT ABOUT 47K) GAP THE PLUGS TO .038 USE A GOOD CAP WITH BRASS INSERTS AND THE SAME GOES FOR THE ROTOR.PERTRONIX HAS A TRANSISTER TRIGGER WHICH IS NOT RPM SENSITIVE,UP TO 8000 RPM IS NO PROBLEM.

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[Fury Boy]

Well could I just put my 383 distributor shaft into a 440 distributor?

yup. There are pins and plastic washers to be careful of and the distributor must be disassembled.