I have a 67 camaro and want to install electronic ignition. I've never done this before and would like to know exactly what I need to purchase in order to do this properly. Also....is there anything I should stay away from? Thanks in advnace for any help.

Your absolute easiest route would be to buy a small body HEI distributor. The original GM HEI was always a cheap and easy upgrade from points, but the large distributor cap won't clear the firewall on 67 Camaro. The small body HEI uses a cap similar to the points distributor and clears easily.

www.davessmallbodyheis.com

A lot of folks have had good luck with Pertronix kits (search here) and Crane also makes a points conversion. I had Dave do mine with one of his conversions, which he sets up specifically for your combo. No fooling around, and it was perfect right out of the box.

One thing to keep in mind is that you will need to run a new ignition wire from the fuse box. The factory wire is a resistance wire (in order to keep from burning points) and doesn't carry enough voltage for electronic ignition.

Are there complete conversion kits I can purchase?

Dave's Small Body HEI includes complete detailed directions, Plus, he's more than willing to help out on the phone.

The great thing about his kit is that replacement parts, if necessary, are readily available from NAPA.

I initially ran a Pertronics unit, and while I never had a problem with it, I ended up changing out for a Dave's unit, due to stories about Petronics unreliability.

i just changed my GM hei to a flame thrower pertonics distributor and coil. it is a very easy install. as mentioned i did it so i have clearance for my cowl air cleaner. it still looks stock. only issue i had was the coil would not clear the distributor using my intake mounting holes.also the pertronics flame thrower coil was made in china. that p**** me off and i told pertronix about it. would not have bought it had i known.

Thanks all the info. I'm looking forward to tackling this project.

I initially ran a Pertronics unit, and while I never had a problem with it, I ended up changing out for a Dave's unit, due to stories about Petronics unreliability.

I have 3 years on my Pertronix dist. kit and flame thrower coil and have had zero problems.
what have you heard :confused:

I've also got one of Dave's distributors and I'm very happy with it.

i just changed my GM hei to a flame thrower pertonics distributor and coil. it is a very easy install. as mentioned i did it so i have clearance for my cowl air cleaner. it still looks stock. only issue i had was the coil would not clear the distributor using my intake mounting holes.also the pertronics flame thrower coil was made in china. that p**** me off and i told pertronix about it. would not have bought it had i known.
:yes:
That was the most important reason for me, when I bought my new MSD billet.

Guys over at Yenko.net were talking about Pertronics suddenly quitting. I never had a problem, so I guess I'd say it's all hearsay. I just liked the idea that you could buy the modules locally for the Dave's unit.

I also sent dave a points distributor and had it converted. It wasn't that expensive and it works perfect.

Only thing about Dave's units....he has to mill the taper off the underside of the aluminum distributor housing so the module will sit flat. For that reason, I picked up an old GM aluminum distributor off eBay for $5 and sent it to him for modification. Came back looking like new!! I have my 499 safely tucked away.