Mopar ECU - Blue or Orange

[SF-66TC]

I'm looking to change over to electronic and was searching Summit.

They have the entire kit; Distributor, ECU & Control Unit Wiring Harness for $199.97
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850004/overview/

They also have the ORANGE Control Unit, but it doesn't come in a kit and would have to be purchased separtely.

Is there any difference between the two or is it just the color difference for authenticity?

I'm thinking that if you buy the entire Kit for $199.97 AND the Orange ECU for $42.97 the total would be = $242.94.

That comes out to only a $7.00 difference than if you purchased the 3 parts separately AND you'd get a back-up (Blue) ECU for just $7.00


Here's the break down if purchased separately -

The ORANGE colored ECU separately for $42.97
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4120505/overview/

Control Unit Harness for $22.97
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-3690152/overview/

Distributor for $169.97
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850004-1/overview/

Total Separately = $235.91

 

[polara71]

Herbs tells me there is a difference in spark from the black, blue and Orange.

 

[SF-66TC]

Who is "Herbs"?

I'm assuming that since the Kit with the Blue ECU is what Summit sells is what most people use?

Anyone else have any input?

Herbs tells me there is a difference in spark from the black, blue and Orange.

 

[commando1]

Google always has the answer.
From Bangshift.

The blue or gray or black box is stock. The orange box is aftermarket mopar and supposedly has a bit more dwell than the stock. The Chrome is also a street strip box with supposedly even more dwell time for a hotter spark and better combustion. Gold box is race only supposedly and I imagine has even more dwell time.

 

[polara71]

Thank you...If you know how to search it yes....it works well.

Herbs is a Mopar aftermarket and restoration supplier, I believe out of Delaware

 

[SF-66TC]

Thanks - I thought Herb was a person on the forum...

Thank you...If you know how to search it yes....it works well.

Herbs is a Mopar aftermarket and restoration supplier, I believe out of Delaware

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

Mancini Racing in Royal Oak, Mi. iz international distributer for Mopar Performance and sells the kit that comez with the Orange box in the kit. Call 'um and you'll know what the cost difference iz.

 

[traintech55]

Just be careful when ordering C body parts from Herbs Parts, half the time you will return them for being incorrect.

 

[polara71]

Just be careful when ordering C body parts from Herbs Parts, half the time you will return them for being incorrect.

Because he has little to nothing specific, what he carries will be crossover items between lines

 

[commando1]

With every broad line distributer I usually have to know more than them for my needs. Every single one of them own million dollar B-bodies....

e.g. My most recent purchase of correct ex. manifold bolts for my 76 440. Not one of them had a clue. I had to tell them which 4 out of their P/N 001 and which 4 out of their P/N 002 made up my eight.

 

[cantflip]

A general word of caution: My job repairing cars was to bring them back to factory specs. I did occasionally "upgrade" or modify a car, mostly my own, and strongly advise to keep mods conservative. Bigger is better mentality causes more trouble than it fixes. I know of these parts , but don't fully know their specs, nor do I have enough personal experience with them to say what will work for certain. Increasing dwell for performance applications sounds great... but if your spark gets too hot you can create pre-ignition or detonation issues. A modification that would require that extra would be something like increased compression.

Now that I opened the can of worms... I am sure there are members here who can tell you of their similar mods and success's and may be willing to point out they disagree with my experiences. I am not saying don't do it... just don't jump straight to kill. Even changing to a different spark plug often causes late model, computer controlled cars to run different (poorly), and I cannot count the number of times I solved a drivability complain by handing a customer back their "extra super special $20ea" spark plugs in a bag and told them the $3ea plugs solved the problem try to get a refund. Usually the problems are subtle and inconsistent... but any change to resistance, heat range or energy will affect combustion and can cause symptoms.

 

[SF-66TC]

For anyone interested;

Couldn't find anything about the BLUE Electronic Control Unit that Summit sells with their Electronic Distributor Kit (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850004), so it must just be the stock plane jane version.

​

The ORANGE Electronic Control Unit is for general high-performance use up through 6000 rpm.

For a hotter spark, the CHROME Electronic Control Unit is for a general high-performance use up through 8000 rpm.

For yet a hotter spark than the Chrome ECU, the GOLD Electronic Control Unit is high-performance use up through 12,000 rpm.

Info compliments of BIGBARNEYCARS for the tip @ www.manciniracing.com/supgolecurac.html

 

[commando1]

99% of us have never seen 6,000 on the street.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

The chrome and gold are not recommended for street use because of increased dwell will overheat the coil (longer amperage flow "dwell" makes the coil run hotter) but this improves spark at high RPM. If you are not planning on above 6500 RPM a lot I would stick to a stock or orange box if you want the name.