MSD ignition setup: with stock or standalone?

[Anonymous]

as i read through every inline6 forum and techbook i find that MSD ignition products are always mentioned as wonderful products that increase the overall engine performance.

my question though: is it better to install your MSD ignition system to work inconjunction with the stock unit, or just intall it to compleatly replace the stock unit?

any thoughts :
cheers

 

[Anonymous]

My own opinion is to swap to a 78 duraspark distributer than add the MSD (6A in my own case) to that!

Worked fine for me!!

Later,

Doug

 

[Anonymous]

I ordered the blaster two coil and the 8mm summit 180degree wires, I want the msd 6a and will order that. but as for the distributor for my 200ci I will be purchasing the duraspark 1978 fairmont next week from local parts store for around $40. Question is this: with the MSD 6A will I need the duraspark box (spark control)to complete the conversion?

 

[jwhoss76]

Question is this: with the MSD 6A will I need the duraspark box (spark control)to complete the conversion?

I don't think you will but you can call MSD tech support for a definitive answer.

 

[MustangSix]

You won't need the DS box to use an MSD. Click our logo and check out the Duraspark link in the tech section.

 

[CobraSix]

MSD works great with MSD 6 series ignitions.

Slade

 

[I66coupe]

How much voltage can the stock cap handle without cross-firing? I'm trying to get a hotter spark while preserving the stock look.

I would use a coil that delivers higher voltage without causing cross-fire in the cap. Since the stock points are only handling a low voltage signal for the box, the points should last a good long time. The MSD provides multiple sparks for better ignition.

Hotter, multiple sparks with a stiock distributor. Think it'll work?

 

[Anonymous]

Rande, Yes it will work. I have it set up this way in my old Vette. I was able to hide the MSD box behind the kick panel to preserve the look. It has worked well and has kept my plugs from fouling out like they used to.

 

[I66coupe]

See! I'm not as dumb as I look!

 

[CobraSix]

cross firing really isn't going to be a problem with a 40k volt coil, especially at the RPMs these engines run. That becomes more of a problem at 9-10k RPM where the dizzy is going pretty crazy fast.

Slade

 

[Lazy JW]

You can control the upper spark voltage level by limiting the spark plug gap. When the primary windings in an ignition coil are energized, a magnetic field builds up in the coil. When the flow of current is shut off (triggered to fire) the magnetic field collapses, inducing a current in the secondary windings. The voltage level in the secondary windings builds up and builds up until it is sufficient to jump the gap at the spark plug (also the gap between the rotor and the cap terminal). As soon as the current starts flowing across the gaps, the voltage does not build up any higher. If the gap is too wide, no spark is generated, or the spark finds an easier place to go to ground, such as along the coil tower or between the terminals to another plug that isn't under compression at the moment (thus has a lower voltage requirement). If you live in an area that has high humidity, the crossfiring/misfiring tends to be worse than a dry climate, so you will need to experiment a bit with the plug gap to see what you can run. You should be able to run a bigger gap than stock, just don't get too carried away with it. Your proposed system should work very well
Joe

 

[Anonymous]

3 questions:
The smaller red wire attaches to the switched 12 volt supply necessitation removal of the 6 volt resistor wire coming off the key switch that limits power to coil when points used. the white wire is taped off and not used. Somewhere was a post stating "the white wire could be used by someone ingenious to hook up for nitrous use." Another post stated "the white wire could be used for a switch onb the dash to be used as anemergency cut off." The white wire could then be used as an antitheft device.
What does the White wire do inside the MSD Box?

Is there an add on device for the MSD6A that will retard the spark for use with nitrous or are we forced to put in the Digital 6 to get the retard?
:
Lastly the spark boxes as the MSD6 and 6AL are readily available on ebay. How do you feel about buying used electronic parts? :

 

[CobraSix]

As far as I know, only Digital 6 plus has built in retards and rev limiters (6AL has rev limiter, but it uses plug in modules, not dial in like Digital 6+). THere are stand alone boxes that MSD makes that you can add to MSD 6 and 6AL. If you are looking for these features, and can afford a Digital 6 plus, do that. It's a cleaner look, it also provides more energy per spark and puts less draw on your electrical system.

As far as buying electronics off ebay...I never will. Two reasons, if you search Summit Racing, you'll find ebay MSDs usually end up within $50 of new retail (unless the unit is really old). Personally, I'll spend the extra $50 for piece of mind. It's too easy to sell dead electronics on ebay. I can always say "worked when removed" and even if it didn't, you have no recourse other then leaving negative feedback. At least if you buy it from a store, you usually get a warranty and it's usually easy to return if there are problems.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

without actually worrying I can rev this engine past 6000 or 7000 rpm I have decided the MSD 6AL is not needed putting the 6a in the 150 dollar range. I imagine the add on retard will run the same price as the digital 6 at around $300. I'd still like to know what thAT WHITE WIRE IS FOR. aLSO i HEARD THE REBUILD ON A MSD 6 RUNS $40 FORM THE FACTORY. Factor in time and the shipping and You've got the new one with a warranty.

 

[66 Fastback]

Well I looked at the instructions for my 6AL. The white wire is connected to the points or amplifier on a regular distributor. It provides the trigger signal. On some electronic distributor applications it is not used.
Doug

 

[Anonymous]

thanks. the set up should be a piece of cake. The only difficult part will be changing out that 6 volt suppressor wire

 

[Anonymous]

Actually a nice little piece of knowledge I picked up from MSD...

If you are running an electronic dizzy with a magnetic pickup, then the white wire when grounded will dissable the ignition completely.

I ran mine in the wiring harness and under the dash and connected a cutoff switch to it, then ran it under the carpet inside and grounded it to a muffler bolt.

Now when I leave the car I throw that ground switch and all the car will do is turn over and over till the battery is dead.

I also have some other theft prevention methods, but for the average kid car theif this is a good one... a pro would have no problems finding it. Nice little added bonus for a wire that does nothing, when it actually does something I found to be nice!


J.

 

[CobraSix]

With pertronix, I just use to remove the trigger unit...

Now I just cross connect some random wires, so it looks hooked up...but isn't. But I only do that for long term. Heck, my current carb is enough of a theft deterrant. YOu have to go through a very specific routine to start it up....and it usually takes about 1-2 minutes of constant cranking...

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

if you end up not going with the msd box, the stock duraspark box has a retard wire, it is the one that retards the timing during cranking to make it easier to start