How to find the right Automotive Replacement Ignition HEI Conversion Kits AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Automotive Replacement Ignition HEI Conversion Kits
- Full 12-volt feed
- Supply HEI with switched full battery voltage, and bypass or replace any factory resistor wire or ballast HEI underperforms or fails on reduced voltage.
- Physical clearance
- Check cap diameter against the intake, firewall and air cleaner The large HEI cap does not fit many engine bays without modification.
- Gear and shaft match
- Match the distributor gear material to the camshaft type, for example flat-tappet versus roller The wrong gear material wears the cam gear rapidly.
- Advance curve
- Choose or tune the mechanical and vacuum advance for your engine An off-the-shelf curve can cause detonation or sluggish performance.
Brands that matter
- Davis Unified Ignition: Well-regarded HEI-style distributors for many classic engines.
- MSD: HEI-style and electronic distributors with a broad engine range.
- Pertronix: Points-to-electronic conversions that are an alternative to full HEI.
- Proform: Budget HEI distributors for common V8s.
What to avoid
- Running HEI through the original resistor wire
- Very cheap HEI units with poor module and pickup quality
Questions
HEI or a breakerless conversion kit?
A breakerless kit keeps the stock distributor look and fit, while full HEI gives a hotter spark but needs more space and a full-voltage feed.