For those not wanting to run an HEI or just not the HEI module , here is how to run a Ford duraspark ignition box available from any wrecker for next to nothing. I have this on a 454 chevy in a 89 mustang running 12.0 at 111 mph. I use a mallory billet distributor with just a 2 wire magnetic pickup.
From the duraspark wiring is as follows:
Red - Coil +
Green - Coil -
Black/green stripe - ground
white - crank wire on solenoid (not necessary to use but it causes the timing to retard a few degrees when cranking)
orange and purple wires go to distributor pickup
The main reasons i did this was because i'm trying to make my 454 look like a small block ford and because it was a budget race car and i didn't want to buy a msd for it.
From the duraspark wiring is as follows:
Red - Coil +
Green - Coil -
Black/green stripe - ground
white - crank wire on solenoid (not necessary to use but it causes the timing to retard a few degrees when cranking)
orange and purple wires go to distributor pickup
The main reasons i did this was because i'm trying to make my 454 look like a small block ford and because it was a budget race car and i didn't want to buy a msd for it.