With the 2.8L V6, he won't have RENIX. That was a GM engine using a GM control system.
You'll note that this probably degraded over time, as the cables got old. Honestly, one of the best things you can do to reduce cranking times is to replace the mains cables - especially if you go a bit larger. Not only does this renew the connections at the ends, but your cables are probably suffering from internal corrosion as well (1985? That makes them 23 years old...) and breakage of some of the strands.
There's nothing really "wrong" with the GM HEI setup, but it's only as good as the power supply and grounds are. Clean up your grounds, check out your mains, and think about changing them as needed (especially if you have an engine-firewall "open braid" ground strap - those tend to get crapped up and funky. If there isn't a direct battery-chassis ground, and I'm almost willing to bet there isn't, that's your only engine ground and it can raise all sorts of Hell for you...)