Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

For anything machine shop / speed shop or engine specific. More technical than the range but not quite tuning specific.
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David Claflin
Posts: 17
Joined: 2021 Mar 03, 17:05
Location: Fort Walton Beach Florida
Vehicle Information: 90LX, A9l, 302, T5
86LX, Former FHP car

Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

Post by David Claflin »

I've got a couple MSD distibutors for SN cars, and was thinking instead of trying to sell them, why not see if I can use them in a foxbody. Was checking to see if anyone done it before I started digging too far into if I'm going to be wasting my time.
decipha
Posts: 7101
Joined: 2021 Feb 15, 12:23
Location: Metairie, LA
Vehicle Information: 2x '19 PU Explorer Sport 3.5L Eco's AWD

Re: Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

Post by decipha »

The distributor is physically the same the only difference is the tfi module.

Fox bodies use a push start TFI and SN94-95 uses the CCD tfi.

You can change the setting in the tune no need to modify it.

MSD never made an efi spec'd distributor for the sbf. They used their old carb design and modified it for a pip. They also hand cut the reluctors which is why they make less power and is unsafe as well. They should never be used at all but most importantly, should never be used in a modified engine. In short they are just garbage thus why Ive always thrown them in the trash where they belong.

Id highly recommend upgrading to a stock oem distributor which will be more reliable and always make more power.
David Claflin
Posts: 17
Joined: 2021 Mar 03, 17:05
Location: Fort Walton Beach Florida
Vehicle Information: 90LX, A9l, 302, T5
86LX, Former FHP car

Re: Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

Post by David Claflin »

Interesting, didn't know that about the reluctor. My son has one of these distributors in his 95GT, so we'll have to get that reluctor swapped out with a stocker. Thanks!!
decipha
Posts: 7101
Joined: 2021 Feb 15, 12:23
Location: Metairie, LA
Vehicle Information: 2x '19 PU Explorer Sport 3.5L Eco's AWD

Re: Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

Post by decipha »

Its in the pre tune write up, might want to give that a read over.
David Claflin
Posts: 17
Joined: 2021 Mar 03, 17:05
Location: Fort Walton Beach Florida
Vehicle Information: 90LX, A9l, 302, T5
86LX, Former FHP car

Re: Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

Post by David Claflin »

So for curiosity sake I tried to put a stock reluctor on the MSD distributor, and the bolt holes were slightly off, so it wouldn't fit. What brought this one was because I had a couple MSD SN distributors I thought why not see about putting one in my tow pig, 91F150 so I wouldn't be stuck along the road sometime due to TFI module failure. I know I could remote mount the module, was just contemplating using parts I had, so I wouldn't have to deal with people if I chose to sell them.
gpickering68
Posts: 5
Joined: 2026 Oct 20, 23:46
Location: Berlin, Germany
Vehicle Information: 2005 Subaru WRX

Re: Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

Post by gpickering68 »

David Claflin, how far off were the bolt holes, and did you try the reluctor from a different distributor?
GrazW_Leeds68
Posts: 6
Joined: 2026 Oct 21, 22:46
Location: Berlin, Germany
Vehicle Information: 2005 Subaru WRX

Re: Anyone done a conversion to use an SN distributor in a foxbody

Post by GrazW_Leeds68 »

gpickering68 yeah that's what I'd want to know as well, because if it's only a hair out it could just be a batch thing, especially if they were hand cut like decipha says. had similar on an old bike with an aftermarket pickup plate, holes were definately a mm out and that's all it takes to be a proper nightmare. id get some calipers on it and compare against a couple of stock ones before anyone reaches for a drill 👍
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