Quote Originally Posted by X-cabsquarebody View Post
Just not sure if the distributor would work in place of the opti spark.
no, it won't work. the opti has completely different signalling. you would have to build a distributor with the proper signaling, probably gutting an opti for its wheel and sensor. it has been done; fit inside an hei distributor in place of the original ICM. this is probably not a project you'd want unless you're a decent fabricator.

a good tbi ecm should be way easier, and probably be WAY better in the end, ditching the maf and just working a good speed density tune out

alternatively a standalone transmission controller should work well

if all you want is overdrive, though, why not just get a 700R4?