In my 65 Malibu 350/350 turbo I currently have a Mallory HIFire VII AL box and a stock HEI. I am thinking about replacing my distributor with an aftermarket one. I was going to go with a Mallory so it will match but I was told by more than one person that I should sell the box and go with all MSD equipment. I was just wondering what yall's take on this was and what the benefits of MSD over Mallory.

I would definitly stay with the Mallory. Your system is digital vs the MSD 6al which is analog. I prefer to use the newest-latest-greatest the market has to offer. I'm not sure what MSD system people are telling you to use but the 6al is just the most common. As far as the dist goes, I personally use an HEI that is gutted out and locked. I toss the module and just fire off the magnetic pickup. There are many good distributers out there and they all do basically the same thing-they send spark out to the plugs.

Thanks for the reply speed freak. I am currently running a hei distributor, running the hi fire box off the magnetic pick up but some thing went sour so I am going to replace it. I think it is the connection to the mag pick up. Because it has voltage going to the coil, and it went intermitant then quite firing.

Damn buddy, you sound like kind of a speed freak. "Ya i just rip the damn computer out and force the sum bit** to throw e-lec-tricity" Oh damn haha. graemlins/beers.gif its all in good fun

Update on my distributor. I am not getting a spark. I think the problem is the connection to my mag pickup. Has anyone had a similar problem?

You can test the magnetic pickup by using an OHM meter. First disconnect the Green and White wire connector from the module and then using your DVOM touch the leads and you should get a reading from 800-900 OHMS. Any more or less just throw it away and replace it. I have seen new ones go bad very quickly...they are usually from Indonesia.

The MSD people really stood behind their product when I had trouble with my new DIGITAL-6 box. I was impressed with their service. I haven't had any Mallory to compare it with.

I use the Mallory Comp 9000 and a Hyfire box with rpm limiter. I did have a problem with a burned module back in the spring and since I was afraid the Hyfire box could have been damaged as well I also replaced it. I have been running the same Comp 9000 for years but when I added the Hyfire box the wiring diagram did not include using the ballast resistor as I have always done but I followed instructions and didn't use it. My gut feeling is that's what caused the problem, especially now that Mallory has a diagram which includes using the resistor in line ahead of the box and distributor.

The company I bought the Hyfire box from warranteed it with no hesitation. The distributor was way past any warranty period though.

I've logged around 5000 miles since then this summer with no problems at all. My big block gets great fuel milage and I have no problem fouling plugs even when in bumper to bumper traffic.

I have no experience with MSD but I will give good marks to Mallory !!!!

Here's a link to where I got my Hyfire box, pretty good vendor in my area.
http://stores.ebay.com/UnlimitedSpeed-Performance-Parts

I run a mallory unilite, ive burned up a module but mallory sent me a new one. Now My friend runs an MSD and he has a serious corrosion problem inside the distributer. Everything rusts and he has to clean it every now and again to keep the car running well.

I have not had any experience with Mallory since 98. I worked for and ended up running several of the old Super Shops stores. I was constantly having to warranty stuff for people. I'm sure some of it was user error but you would not believe how much defective return I used to have to do. The fuel pumps are a differnt story. Rarely did I see any problems with them.
For ignition I would stick with nothing but MSD.

I've used Mallory Unilite since the late 70's 2 conversion kits,2 distributors and have never had a module burn out,if you try and run 12 volts thru it or arc the electrical system big time,it will not last very long.