HEI distributor

[shanevc308]

hi guys can any one tell me if a procomp HEI distributor will make my 308 run better, i need some info on them, and also would like to know how much they go for, thanks guys

[vkberlina]

By your Nic Im guessing you have a VC 308 which should be running a HEI dizzy in it anyway. There is northing wrong with the HEI dizzys from VC-VK and woth really well even with higher performance engines.
The only thing I hate about the OEM dizzy is the huge rotor and cap, we fitted an XD (cleavland) electronic ignition rotor and a GM points style cap to one which worked quite well.

I have never heard bad things about the Procomp stuff a few of the chev guys run them, dont know about price though.

cheers
Scott

[shanevc308]

i can get one fro 249 brand new and it has the built in coil 50,000volts

[viper1431]

Don't bother with the procomp ones. They have a terrible reputation and unfortunately i have one and can back it up. It's the worst built thing i've ever seen. The coil has died twice within a year so i replaced it with an accel brand coil. The cap broke the first day because all the terminals are loose and one snapped just putting the leads on. Got a new one off them and seems the norm for the terminals to be very loose.
It also didn't fit at first, i had to grind some metal off the dizzyy and off the manifold just to get it to fit on.
EDIT: also just remembered the rotor is very dodgy too, i had to replace that with another brand one as the metal conduct part is just held on with a dodgy sort of clip that comes of easily and doesnt support it properly so it has a bit of play whereas other brand ones are usually held on with a tiny screw.

[pro_gmh]

HEI??? Someone please explain? I havnt mucked around with dizzy's to often before.

[vkberlina]

A HEI or High Energy Ignition is as the name suggests an Electronic Ignition System first introduced by GM in the early 70s. It replaced the requirement of points the timing of the spark usually controlled by an ignition module & hall effect pickup in the dizzy.
This process was lots more effecient and lower maintenance than a points type dizzy.

[pro_gmh]

Does it still use vacume advance?

[vkberlina]

yeah some do your VH 202 would have an HEI dizzy in it or you might know it as an electronic dizzy.
There are a few different types of HEI dizzys most of the ones you will encounter are the same as the VH style with an ignition module mounted on the dizzy, some even have a coil in the dizzy or on the cap. Some have a separate ignition module as well.

cheers
Scott