Topic: Upgrade to Performance Distributor and larger spark.

[Sidscan]

It was discussed that running Premium gas is a waste of money with a stock ignition.  

What about the increase gap and spark of the blaster coil, live wires and spark plug of choice?   I am debating between the Champion 4412's or the Autolite platinums. (user opinnion solicited here)  

If the upgrade is made will use of premium grade gas burn better and be worth the $$?   :?:

[Jeffy]

Unless you're going to run high-compression or forced-induction, there is really no reason to use premium gas.

It might be helpful to know what Octane is first.

For spark plug gap you'll have to play around with it since you are mixing and matching parts.  I've mention this before in the other thread,  Move up .010" increments till you get misfire under load (or you feel comfortable with) then lower it by .05".

I use Autolites.  They are the basic ones.   I've used platinums before and noticed no real difference other then them costing more.  I've used Accel U-groove plugs, Bosch Platinums, Bosch regular and Champion regulars.  The only ones that I have tried are copper plugs like the Champion Truck plugs and NGK Iridiums.  The NGK's are popular on many higher compression engines. They cost more though.  I think you'll see a bigger difference from optimizing your gap then getting a different spark plug though.

[Sidscan]

Thanks Jeffy.  I ordered the PD kit and hope to be getting it soon.  I was questioning before I started wasting time and money in trial and error.

[Sidscan]

Put in Live wires, upgraded coil new cap/rotor gapped champion 4412 plugs to .065.  I really love the way my beast runs with this upgrade.  My lousy idle is now gone to pretty consistent.  My radio also comes in clearer.  I removed my rock-it intake and trueflow filter and put my stock back on.  This seems to help quiet down the motor an make the acceleration much better.  I do miss the over 60 mph growl the rock-it intake gave. 

I also notice a very good side affect to going to the stock intake with this upgrade.  Smoother idling engine.  The last MPG check shows a increase of about 2 hedging to 3 mpg.  I have been putting my foot into it to make sure the computer learns the right style of driving and still seemed to experience the gain.  This is with the auto.  So now instead of 14-16 I am looking at 16-19 with nicer acceleration .   

[renin]

Sidescan,

what are your thought on the HEI distributor versus the  performance you are useing? please forgive my ignorance I am fairly new with cj7s.  this is my 8th jeep and 3rd cj7. i was so poor in college when i had the cj's when something broke that was the end of the jeep. I now look(after 15yrs later) to get my hands dirty and real/reread/rereread the jeep service manual from collins bros. and make beleive i can turn my lovely cali ebay jeep into something i have in my head. well those are th good days. busted nuckles and breaking my carter with its plastic prieces i feel like im over my head with it. But i have no choice this is my favorite jeep and it is a work of american art. much respect to the cj7 and the cj6 and always the cj8.

[Sidscan]

renin,

I didn't go with the upgrade distributor.  Just the screemin demon coil, live wires and cap/rotor.  I was just going for a overall smoother run on the motor. 

[Erik]

this setup is NOT compatible with the TBI 4 banger is it?

[Sidscan]

Erik,

I think it is until through the 2.5L life.  When the 2.4L was put in things changed.  My 97 has a distributor with the CPS in it.

[Erik]

i was thinking it was only available for multi port fuel injected 4 cylinders though... the throttle body injection was from 87-90.... any confirmation one way or the other?