i have a concern with the distributor packages for the thunders. i am trying to field a ford thunderbird with a 302 cubic inch motor. and im runnig into issues with the distributors. it seems that to buy a “stock” ignition system you need older style three wire, external coil, with seperate ignition box to make motor fire. having priced these items on e-bay, napa, and other parts dealers of various natures, have come up with an avereage price of one hundred and fifty dollars. to purchace a two wire internal coil electronic distributor on e-bay is fifty dollars.  last year i fielded a chevy and got my motor and distributor from jim sammons and it was a two plug internal coil electronic distributor and he said it was legal because it wasn't hei.  well personally i dont see a difference, and therefore doubt any one else can either.  now in light that this is an “eccomnomicly friendly” racing class it seems to me that not only would the choice of the two plug system eliminate a lot of un-need work, but also allow anyone brave enough to run something other than a chevy the ability to run the same distributors that the chevy guys get to for the same price.  now im not to destroy a class by allowing the use of the same cheap and easy parts that, as a by product, happen to add a little performance to the class; whear as now we have an open oil pan rule that will allow who ever has the most money to put the best pan on the car that they can fit. all that i ask for is reasonable consideration of the idea. thank you.

                                                                                                                                        josh bonwell  

well so much for a cheap eccinomical race class eh. i dont detect any kind of a solution. all i hear is we only care about chevy racers so you ford and morpar quys are just f'ed. there is nothing but equallity to gain for cheaper i mean if i am wrong everybody please let me know and ill applogize and shut up. but this is crap i have a right to run a good as destributor as the next guy. im sorry chevy designed better stock equipment.  but we should be able to keep up with technology. 

yeah just go buy used junk that is more likely to fail and cost more money or maybe endager others

     I for one never felt like I was ever being f'ed over because I run a Mopar.  If Chey has such good stuff then why is the majority of those chevys being pushed around the track with a Ford 9 inch ?  A complete  9 inch isn't cheap.  Majority of those same cars are using a Ford starter solenoid to engage that starter motor.  I haven't seen an oil pan yet make a car go faster, I have seen them save motors, which can get costly. Yes, a stock  HEI system is simple to wire and they are dime a dozen. But as far as performance, that point can be argued till  H'''  freezes over.

     A friend of mine at Smith's Auto wrecking, Peitz, said he could probaly fix you up with a Dist, a box and harness for $75.00.  Use the blue tab box, gap youre plugs at .050 and you will have nice hot blue spark that will ignite what ever you want to run in that fuel cell.

    I'll stick with my Mopars,

                               shotgun

Hey Josh.  I would love to see you racing again.  So here is the deal.  I just looked up a complete system for both chev and ford.

The Chev distributor, module, cap, rotor, and coil. new off of my shelf (the dist is re-man of course and the price includes not returning the core) at the best garauge discount is 248.26.   I bit the bullet and that is what is on my car. I prolly could have found some used one somewhere, but I wanted some dependability. 

Ok, now for the hi priced ford stuff.   This is the blue tab module system.

Dist, module, coil, cap, rotor,  $154.81

Granted, the chev is a bit easer to hook up, especially for me as I am a chev guy anyway. 

And if there is anything else that the ford requires that I dont know about, please let me know and I will check that  out.  As I said, I have always been a Chev guy.

and see if you get on ebay and find the right equipment, not the super powerful blasters and msd crap, then you will find good two wire hook up and go distributors for fifty bucks that would benefit everybody. i dont want the best or as good distributor. i want the cheapest.

Josh,  the Thunder class is absolutly an economical class to run.  As you know I have some buddies from every class that runs.  Many of the Mod drivers have more invested in their engine than I have in my entire car, trailer, spare parts, and even including my tow rig.  They have to run tires that cost about $90 apiece, and I get to run their throw aways.  Their tranny, $1200 or more, not including the clutch.  They run methanol, we run pump gas. They run performance shocks at over $100 or $150 each, stock shocks cost $20 to $30 each, and if u want the high end stock shocks you can spend $50 each.  They have to buy an IMCA license each year, another expense that we dont have.  Dont even talk about their suspension under those cars.  Yea, that is mods, but the IMCA Stock class isnt very much cheaper to run, still expensive engine, performance shocks, springs, race fuel, tires, ignition systems, and all IMCA classes required to use Racievers this year, however, I recomend that ALL classes use them, but not required.  I know one guy that told me he spent over $30,000 to race  his Mod 10 years ago.  Not including buying the car,  just cost of racing.  Dont even think about Sprints,  some of their ignition systems cost as much as my engine.

I guess what I am saying, econimical is relative.  NASCAR Nation Wide Series is economical compared to Sprint Cup Series.

Most of the guys racing in the Thunder class could not afford to run in the other classes, including me.  To me, that says economical.  Anything that you do is going to cost money to do.  Priced a boat lately?  How bout a quad or 4-wheeler to run on the river.  Looked at a motorcycle?  A nice set of golf clubs will set you back a thousand bucks or more, not including the driver, greens fees and cart fees every time you play.  Last year, we spend $200 to $300 dollars for Chandra to run in the Hornet class and the only reason it cost that much is because we had to buy a new battery.   If economy is your chief concern, the Hornet class might be a good option for you to consider.

I get that the GM distribuitor is "easier" to hook up and I think it would be fun to use a HEI on my bb mopar but in my opinion the mopar and ford ignitions are real simple to wire and I dont really see how gm is safter,  and i'm real glad we are allowed to run 9in rear ends cuz I had zero luck finding a 8 3/4 mopar rear end.  I looked on ebay and for a complete dodge ignition kit and it will run u about $150 for everything NEW for a bb its cheaper yet for a SB.  Just my 2 cents