Hot rodding the HEI distributor

There are a large number of modified vehicles that no longer use an ECM (engine control module) to oversee the emissions and performance parameters of their vehicles. Because of this, the pre computer-controlled type HEI distributor is often used; it is a relatively cheap, stand-alone unit with good to very good performance potential, and has a good track record for durability and reliability.

There are a large number of modified vehicles that no longer use an ECM (engine control module) to oversee the emissions and performance parameters of their vehicles. Because of this, the pre computer-controlled type HEI distributor is often used; it is a relatively cheap, stand-alone unit with good to very good performance potential, and has a good track record for durability and reliability.

==Computer controlled HEI==

==Computer controlled HEI==

A word first about those internal coil computer controlled HEI distributors: Computer controlled versions work basically the same as the old non-computer versions except that they don't have any mechanical advance mechanisms inside them -- the ECM determines the advance curve electronically. Other than buying an aftermarket performance chip for the ECM, or buying the proper hardware & software to tune and burn a new chip, there is NO WAY to change the advance curve of a computer-controlled HEI distributor- timing is controlled ENTIRELY by the ECM’s programming! The only other change you can make in the advance curve is to manually advance the base timing (usually worth a little HP by itself). Check your GM service manual for the correct way to set the base timing for your particular engine/year. If you have a computer controlled distributor in your car right now you can’t do much to increase performance other than to make sure it is correctly communicating with your car’s ECM and upgrade the coil to a better unit. This is not a bad thing -- it leaves funds available for parts that WILL make the car faster!

A word first about those internal coil computer controlled HEI distributors: Computer controlled versions work basically the same as the old non-computer versions except that they don't have any mechanical advance mechanisms inside them -- the ECM determines the advance curve electronically. Other than buying an aftermarket performance chip for the ECM, or buying the proper hardware & software to tune and burn a new chip, there is NO WAY to change the advance curve of a computer-controlled HEI distributor- timing is controlled ENTIRELY by the ECM’s programming! The only other change you can make in the advance curve is to manually advance the base timing (usually worth a little HP by itself). Check your GM service manual for the correct way to set the base timing for your particular engine/year. If you have a computer controlled distributor in your car right now you can’t do much to increase performance other than to make sure it is correctly communicating with your car’s ECM and upgrade the coil to a better unit. This is not a bad thing -- it leaves funds available for parts that WILL make the car faster!