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Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:35 pm

I am wondering if some of you have used the GM HEI module and coil with a magnetic trigger distributor on you VW engine. I was reading last night about the conversion, and the hardest part seemed to be adapting a magnetic pulse distributor pickup to wire out to the module. The HEI module takes full 12 volts to the coil and module, and would seem to be a reliable option.

Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:43 pm

Davis DUI is a modified GM HEI.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Dixie+Racing+Products/314/9...nEQAvD_BwE

Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:48 pm

Yes I saw that one, but right now I am wanting to stay with a mechanical fuel pump. If I can wire out from a small magnetic trigger distributor, I can mount the module with the coil on the fan shroud. Another advantage would be in the case of a module failure, ( which would be the most likely failure ), I could change the module out without ever touching the distributor, or retiming it.

Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:03 pm

I don't, but.... nothing wrong with the idea.
You can make just about any distributor fit anything if you want to.
Actual GM mag pickup is huge.

I've seen a lot of new chinese distributors with "asian" style mag pickups, these "should" work with the HEI module, but the signal MIGHT be slightly too weak at cranking speed.... don't say I didn't warn you. And that can be more of a problem if you remote mount the module with long wires.
But fine if you are triggering a msd timing control or anything with a more modern and sensitive little brain.

I'm not even sure if the "new" generic HEI modules would even work 100% in an OE GM HEI system, they are so FAR REMOVED from what it originally was.... which may better or worse depending on what your doing.

My GO TO setup is MSD timing control and a TFI module.
Works with pretty much any distributor, and has auto shutoff, sealed connector, made to be remote mounted, and has a knob to tweak the timing from the dashboard :wink:

Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:21 pm

I think I will pick up some pieces and play with the idea some. I have used HEI distributors for many, many years with good results. I am running one now in my big block Chevy.

Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:26 pm

the origonal "CB magna-spark" was a HEI conversion.
They shoehorned the Gm pickup into a bosche distributor.

look in the classifieds maybe you will find one

Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:49 am

ZEKE65 wrote: I think I will pick up some pieces and play with the idea some. I have used HEI distributors for many, many years with good results. I am running one now in my big block Chevy.

My brother !! Where have you been ? :)

Sift through this epic thread and find my posts.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732536&highlight=msd+clone

Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:52 am

I have a lot of HEI experience from a prior life but learned a LOT from this guys pages.

http://devestechnet.com/Home/HEIgnition#fuelmileagetesting

Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:57 am

This is the dist I would take a chance on next. Hopefully it doesn't have all the issues the one I got from Speedmaster had. It does come with the adv bushings and springs.

Might be better just to buy the one for $129 like JPaul did. Or go high cotton and buy an MSD for $325.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Volkswagen-VW-Pro-Series-...2592812986

Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:50 am

I few years back I took a Ebay China HEI SBC v8 distributor cut the shaft down, and machined the housing to match a VW distributor. I ground every other prong on the mag pickup off. It worked awesome. The amount of spark power difference is insane over a 009 and a blue coil. The car did run better.
The only problem was the whole unit is giant. The mechanical pump won't fit.
I did also have a problem with the cheap China plastic breaking connector clips.

It only cost about $85 and an hour of machine time.

This was right before the new style magnaspark kits came out. I have been using them instead on just about everything.

Brian

Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:59 am

Brian_e wrote:
This was right before the new style magnaspark kits came out. I have been using them instead on just about everything.
Brian

They're really good for a couple thousand miles until the goo comes out of the coil and they stop going. Are you using a different coil with the Magnaspark distributor?

Tue Nov 24, 2020 8:53 am

I am wondering if the Empi 9437-B mag pulse distributor could be made to work with an HEI module? Its a small size dist with a mag trigger. Dang rayjay, that is some heat sink!

Wed Nov 25, 2020 9:06 pm

9437-B

Wed Nov 25, 2020 9:48 pm

rayjay wrote: This is the dist I would take a chance on next. Hopefully it doesn't have all the issues the one I got from Speedmaster had. It does come with the adv bushings and springs.

Might be better just to buy the one for $129 like JPaul did. Or go high cotton and buy an MSD for $325.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Volkswagen-VW-Pro-Series-...2592812986

That looks and sounds(per the description) very similar to the CB Performance Magnaspark II....though substantially less expensive.

H2OSB

Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:35 am

ZEKE65 wrote: I am wondering if the Empi 9437-B mag pulse distributor could be made to work with an HEI module? Its a small size dist with a mag trigger. Dang rayjay, that is some heat sink!

It started out life as a [ dead ] VR for a Kawasaki OPE motor :)

Better see if Empi is going to supply replacement signal generators. On the MSD billet clones you can use MSD parts which are very reasonably priced.

ETA, one the heatsink I also considered making a bracket that would mount the module on the exterior of the dist body. Since you have a separate coil it was easier just to mount it to the coil with a second coil mounting bracket. I may eventually mount it to the body somewhere so the coil and module aren't being buzzed by engine vibes.

Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:46 am

Glenn wrote: Davis DUI is a modified GM HEI.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Dixie+Racing+Products/314/9...nEQAvD_BwE

There are available caps and rotors for use with a remote mounted coil.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ARROW-55-9004-30-1498-Rem...1677697988

Thu Nov 26, 2020 7:13 am

jimmyhoffa wrote: Brian_e wrote:
This was right before the new style magnaspark kits came out. I have been using them instead on just about everything.
Brian

They're really good for a couple thousand miles until the goo comes out of the coil and they stop going. Are you using a different coil with the Magnaspark distributor?

Original parts that came with the kit. They are all still working perfect. One has about 40k+ miles and another 12k miles. All the other ones I don't keep track of, but if they quit, the owners would me know.

Brian

Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:10 pm

Brian_e wrote:

Original parts that came with the kit. They are all still working perfect. One has about 40k+ miles and another 12k miles. All the other ones I don't keep track of, but if they quit, the owners would me know.

Brian

Huh. I'm on #3 right now, holding strong so far. Each one usually lasts about 1 oil change. The distributor seems really nice though!