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Wedge TR8 ignition
- Thread starter BOXoROCKS
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I, too, have the original Lucas ignition on my TR8. I have not had any problems with mine, but have been told that these ignitions do not last forever. When it quits, what fails?
I have been thinking of simply replacing the original dizzy cap and rotor and maybe adding an MSD 6 AL which will relegate the dizzy's magnetic pickup to firing the MSD and to distribute the MSD's higher voltage to the plugs. The MSD 6 AL also includes a rev limiter. I also considered the Mallory Unilite dizzy, but the MSD control box is about a thrid of the expense. Anybody out there running the MSD on your TR8?
I have been thinking of simply replacing the original dizzy cap and rotor and maybe adding an MSD 6 AL which will relegate the dizzy's magnetic pickup to firing the MSD and to distribute the MSD's higher voltage to the plugs. The MSD 6 AL also includes a rev limiter. I also considered the Mallory Unilite dizzy, but the MSD control box is about a thrid of the expense. Anybody out there running the MSD on your TR8?
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Don't have the MSD unit, but I do have the Mallory. It was a snap to install, and is working beautifully. Has my vote.
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tdskip said:
I'll get you the model number when I'm home. The only thing you have to do is take the drive gear off the old Lucas unit and install it - drops right in. There are three wires to hook up (ground wire is the third). Also, the distributor is articulatable 360 degrees, so there's no obstruction problem as with the advance module on the Lucas unit, and timing is a breeze. Very neat installation.
Mickey
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Mallory part number from the box is 3764301, fits Buick V8 215-350.
Got mine from Woody at The Wedge Shop.
Got mine from Woody at The Wedge Shop.
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I also considered the Mallory Unilite dizzy, but the MSD control box is about a thrid of the expense. [/quote]
After looking up prices on SummitRacing.com, I find this not to be true. The Mallory Unilite w/mech adv (MAA-3764301) is listed at $321.99 and the MSD 6 AL (NSD-6420) is listed at $236.88. The Mallory equivalent (HyFire MAA-6853M) is a cheaper alternative at $169.88.
The electronic control boxes are advertised to give a hotter, multiple spark, and the models listed above include rev limiters. Would these control boxes give better performance than the Mallory Unilite distributor?
After looking up prices on SummitRacing.com, I find this not to be true. The Mallory Unilite w/mech adv (MAA-3764301) is listed at $321.99 and the MSD 6 AL (NSD-6420) is listed at $236.88. The Mallory equivalent (HyFire MAA-6853M) is a cheaper alternative at $169.88.
The electronic control boxes are advertised to give a hotter, multiple spark, and the models listed above include rev limiters. Would these control boxes give better performance than the Mallory Unilite distributor?
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HI, JFS -
Not sure about performance differences, but according to Woody's website, the Hyfire box and coil are roughly the same price. And they require mods to the tach. At any rate, the Unilite was Woody's recommendation, and that's what I went with.
Mickey
Not sure about performance differences, but according to Woody's website, the Hyfire box and coil are roughly the same price. And they require mods to the tach. At any rate, the Unilite was Woody's recommendation, and that's what I went with.
Mickey
I have the Mallory in the TR8 race car, and the MSD in the BMW race car. I like them both. The main reason I went with the Mallory in the 8 is because of Woody. That is what he thinks works best, and that is who offers tech support. With a unique car like a TR8, tech support is everything. There is nothing more frustrating than calling a tech line and they say "You have a What? With a What?"
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Nope - the Unilite is "Plug 'n play"! Works like a champ.
That may or may not depend on which Mallory system you decide on. There are ones that use points, optical triggers, magnetic triggers, or full electronic ones that run thru a box. You can set up the electronic ignition box to run thru a stock dizzy, or you can run one of the mallory dizzys, or both. Lots of options depending on what you need. I run an aftermarket tach, a Mallory hyfire box, a promaster coil and a HEI style distributor. Way more than what most people will need for a street car. My car lives above 5000 RPM, and I don't want any problems. If you chose a system that requires a tach modification, don't worry about it. Woody has them in stock and will exchange for yours. You should give him a call if you are serious about changing out the ignition system.
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tr8todd said:
Agreed. And to clarify an earlier statement of mine, Woody does a few necessary mods to the Unilite before he ships it to you, as he does with other items he sells. The beauty of that is that the "technical" stuff is done for you.
Mickey