You could always call and ask about the dist gear...if they're using stock dimensions you could just swap the gear and off you go. Devon
HAHA, me neither! All this talk about how crappy MSD is nowadays, mines been flawless since I bought it years ago, I'd hate to mess with a good working ignition.
I've just fitted one to my 455. Not started it yet but will come back with a review once it's turning
I've not had this on the Dyno yet but so far it's proving to be a seriously good piece of kit. My setup seems to like 18 initial, 10 vac, and 800 idle with 34 all in by 3400. I've got the rev limiter set at 6200 and it revs right up to it. The limiter is very soft, like a very mild misfire. I'm sure that will all change when it goes on the Dyno.
Good to hear, I just received the small cap version and have yet to fire it up. Never would have made the move but the cap for my unilite 9000 is $100 and they don't make the rotor anymore.
I thought something was wrong with my ignition because I'd Rev it and it misfired, I had the limiter set to 5500. The last bb I had was a chevy and that thing took all day to hit 6k this bbb gets there just stabbing the throttle lol. Im still finishing up on a few things but I'm betting this is goingto be a blast to drive.
So I plugged the same curve into the Progression distributor that was in the mallory and she runs like a raped ape.
I purchased a small cap distributor in December, just installed the unit last week. The programmability of the unit is amazing by simply downloading the app on your smart phone or tablet. To program the distributor You can start with basic parameters - idle speed, initial timing, max timing (no vacuum) and what rpm max timing is all in at, rev limit. There is an aggressive mode that brings the timing on sooner, there is vacuum advance based on kpa. Normal atmosphere is 101 kpa……so inches of mercury or inches of vacuum, you can find a table on the internet that shows the equivalent. The tables you create can be saved, if you create a new table with different parameters, it can be saved under a different name. Every cell in the table you create can be edited. In fact you can share tables with other users by sending it through the app to their account. When the engine is running, there is a gauge page to open on your device, you can see live rpm, advance, vacuum while driving or idling. You can also observe the table you have created while engine is running, see exactly what the timing is doing on the table. This product makes weights and springs style distributors look like something out of the Stone Age. When you look at the table, the bottom line is rpm, the left hand numbers are vacuum in kpa’s Two cons - 1st, the small cap distributor with male cap is approximately 2 inches taller than the stock points distributor. I had to remove the bottom plastic section of the snorkel on my GS air cleaner. See pics 2nd issue…..Progression is currently not doing anymore Buick 400-455 distributors due to the low demand. I’m sure if enough of you reached out, we’re serious about the product, they may consider running some more.
As far as distributor height is concerned, you would have the same interference problem with the Big Cap GM HEI. The HEI style terminals are taller. Will a points/socket style cap fit? I know the MSD distributors give you a choice.
Wow, that is tall, and it's all in the shaft. Guessing maybe commonality with some other applications is where the unnecessary height came from. Bummer to hear about availability, but not surprising. Thanks for the feedback. Devon
Yes the shaft is much taller than a stock unit. Larry, your probably right, could save some height with female style cap and leads. My 482 will be running an SP1, so the distributor height wont be an issue. The contact at Progression Ignition, is Ted, you can reach him at 714 332 9990 Enough interest, maybe he will do a few more Buick distributors. Going to the Mission Raceway Street Legals today. Do some more distributor fine tuning
Enjoying this distributor. Slowly working my cruise advance up as I gain information from the live gauge setting on my smart phone while driving. It’s interesting to see the live vacuum readout as the engine is put under load, light load etc. I’m up to 42 degrees advance at light load cruise, will add some more if engine continues to be happy. went to the street legals last night, just as racing was to begin, it starts raining…..2 hour delay. First run was terrible, as I didn’t heat up the DR’s enough. Second run, heated the new tires well, ran a 13:874 @ 96.58 mph. 60 foot still not great, was 2.045…..It’s my best run yet to date with this low compression stock 455. If I can get back to a 1.90 60 foot, maybe a 13:70 is possible. My 482 project won’t start till the fall, so I’ll continue running what I have. Can’t say enough about this distributor, making changes with a few taps on the smart phone is amazing.
