Rich's Modified Chrylser 2.2/2.5 Distributor Caps and Custom MSD Wires.

 

Dodge 2.2/2.5 engine lovers have been living with cost reduced distributor caps that use a spade terminal that is directly connected to the wires rather than a conventional style distributor cap for far too long.

I found it particularly annoying that Mopar decided to reduce the costs on their distributor caps in 1980-1981 when they had perfectly good socket style distributor caps already designed (CH-404 or CH-407). This change to the ch-405 distributor cap was the begining of our spade style wires. This means that 2.2 engines older than 1985 can use the 1978-1980 1.7l VW engine distributor cap which has the same dimensions as the 2.2 distributor cap with a socket style wires (even the rotors are compatible from 1978-1985)! The easiest way to order one is to get the cap from a 1979 dodge omni (no engine options to worry about). Then order the rotor from your car (turbo rotors didn't exist yet in 1979).

1986+ EFI cars are out of luck because they changed the distributor to be a wider model and stayed with the spade style wires. To make matters worse the older distributor is not compatible with the newer electronics so the newer model distributor has to be used. Unfortunately almost everyone runs the newer style electronics since the 84-85 turbo cars are getting quite rare and many have been updated to 86+ electronics....

Here is a picture that shows what I am talking about using images from standard motor products:




I decided to do something about this problem for myself and the community to deal with my annoyance and solve problems I have with the the stock setup:

1) It is an annoyance anytime we want to remove our wires from the distributor cap because the cap must also be removed.
2) It is a waste to have an expensive set of spark plug wires wear out when the distributor cap is what should be replaced!
3) It is hard to tell if the spade terminals are properly locked into the cap. If they are not then they can vibrate out causing a problem. My solution uses spring clip terminals for a very confident fit.
 

The Solution:  HEI terminals in the stock distributor cap!

Example of Red wires (both coil wire lengths shown)

Example of Black wires:




Adding HEI style terminals into the stock 2.2/2.5 distributor caps means that we won't have to create a $100,000 mold. My modification method places the terminals in exactly the same location as the stock spade terminals. The wires then use boots that are longer than stock so that they fully cover the snap lock terminals.

MSD superconductor spark plug wires are top of the line. They are low resistance which gives them longer life due to lower heat. They also have a 40:1 winding ratio that gives them very good suppression. Spark plug wires are made to deliver spark from the cap to the plugs. They don't EVER add performance to your engine but they can take it away. In my opinion low resistance and high suppression are king in the spark plug wire world. Higher resistance wires that claim that suppression is the only thing that matters are clearly not performance wires!
 

-------  Product Ordering -------

Modified Cap/Rotor Combos

Custom MSD Superconductor Wires

MSD wires for 8V 1986 and newer 2.2/2.5 w/ 180 degree boots: $55

Color	Red Black
Coil Wire Type	Long (old style coil on passenger fender) Short (newer style coil on t-stat housing)

MSD 8V 1985 and older 2.2/2.5 running the 1979 Omni VW 1.7l distributor cap (ch404 or ch407 distributor caps only!): $50

Color	Red
Coil Wire Type	Long (old style coil on passenger fender) Short (newer style coil on t-stat housing)