I am about to upgrade my HEI, coil/module/cap/rotor. MSD was my first choice but I wanna save a few bucks and maybe get something a little cheaper from another brand. I looked at ignition parts from Pertronix. Does anyone know if they live up to good standards? I just want to know if there are any known problems associated with that brand, maybe performance is not the same? I'd really appreciate any input from anyone who is familiar with their products one way or another.

For the life of me, I can't imagine why you would dump the HEI. :hmm:

I agree... the HEI is one of the most solid ignition systems to be made....

You all misunderstood. I am upgrading factory HEI to the aftermarket HEI :)
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=86610&prmenbr=361

You're wasting your money. The stock HEI setup is MORE than capable of supporting any racing application up to about 10 grand as I recall. Maybe someone here remembers the "exact" RPM limit but there IS a point where the stock HEI system has a problem and will cause involuntary timing loss but that's WAY above anything that's driven on the street.

Correct. The ONLY thing to really upgrade to would be a full capacitive discharge setup, and dont expect much/any power. There good for hard to ignite mixtures and giving a somewhat tame idle on wild cams.

Well, the problem I have is that she is having a hard time revving past 4000-4500 RPM and before I start rejetting my carb, which I don't think is the problem, I'd like to make sure that the spark at higher RPM's is adequate. I've tried different timing settings but maybe should look at vacuum advance adjustment, get an adjustable unit first. Right now I have q-jet with a performer manifold, headers and duals back. I think that ignition upgrade would be beneficial at this time, 50000volt coil + ignition module (HEI parts of course) I just heard that the stock unit gradually starts dropping voltage after about 4K RPM. I don't expect any insane HP increase out of it, don't get me wrong I just want to be certain that ignition is doing what is supposed to do, considering that my distributor is from the junkyard and of unknown origin and condition. Plus the next step in my quest is a set of vortecs and a cam upgrade so flawless spark is essential for overall performance.

So, back to the original question, what's the deal with Pertronix? Anyone, please?

What's a vacuum advance got to do with high revs? At full throttle, the vacuum advance is inactive. You know that right? I agree that the distributor "could" be the problem but don't be fooled into thinking that you need anything more than a "properly" operating HEI system can provide.
You mentioned Pertronix. I'm unfamiliar with them so I did a Google and came up with some info. I looked at the "Flame-Thrower" HEI distributors. Is that what you were looking at? Notice the RPM point they're selling. MINIMUM of 7500RPM. Somehow I doubt you're gonna be anywhere near that. Like I said, the stock HEI distributors do great until you're talking serious racing engines pulling serious RPMs. But hell, if you're gonna get a new distributor anyways, what the hell, might as well get the HOT SETUP! Just don't be disappointed if it doesn't help you.

After 15 or how many ever years, a new coil couldn't hurt. A stock replacement would be fine to ensure the distributor is mechanically sound, but a higher voltage one probably isn't much more expensive.

What does that little module actually DO anyway?

Electronic module is equivalent to points, same thing but solid state.

MSD claims that factory HEI, which puts out something like 28000volts, starts dropping the voltage around 4-4.5K RPM http://www.jegs.com/photos/1218501_graph.jpg The whole idea is to keep the coil saturated at higher RPM's. I've read that it is important to match the aftermarket coil and module from the same manufacturer. So, I decided to get an upgrade, the only thing is that I don't feel like shelling out $20.00 extra on MSD, and they don't include adj. vacuum canister and weights-springs set (used to tune medium and light throttle).

28,000 on an HEI?! You're listening to the sales literature again. If you can't draw 40-50K out of a fully functioning HEI system you got a problem. Bottom line, it's your money. Either way, a stock HEI or the MSD aftermarket system. You'll have a good ignition system. For my money though, unless I'm going with a fire-breathing engine for the track, I'd be more than happy with a standard HEI.