MSD Ignitions Ignitions

MSD Ignitions Ignitions 

DESCRIPTION

Features:

- Improves power, quickens throttle response.
- Smooths out idle and starting.
- Reduces spark plug fouling.
- Improves mileage and reduces emissions.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 31-38 of 38  
[Feb 01, 2000]
john strandberg
Model Reviewed: 1973 mach I

Strength:

Reliability, adjustable rev limiter (msd 6al), compatability with the in-dash original tach, available add-ons such as the adjustable timing controller, and the ease of substituting
RPM limiters.


Weakness:

There are no weaknesses that I've encountered yet.

$189.00; I would recommend it to anyone looking for a combination of performance (higher rpm) and engine over-
rev protection. The unit has eye appeal, and universal
recognition at car shows and cruise nights.

Similar Products Used:

The MSD6al that I bought replaced an old Archer Kit that I put together in 1976 (a CD unit) that performed flawlessly for 23 years and now resides in a friend's BOSS 302.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 04, 2001]
Ching Poon
Model Reviewed: MSD-6a

Strength:

Installed in a 83 MBZ 380 SEC 8 cylinder:
quick start noticed immediately. But to get good results you'd
have to use the Bosch Plus 4 Platinum plugs(with much wider gaps)
and advance the timing until just before pinging(about 10 degree
more than factory spec). If it pings on hill climb upgrade the
octane (MBZ recommends 87 , use 89)

The most dramatic improvement is an installation in a FORD 91
Aerostar (3.0) with 70,000 miles before the MSD installation.
You'd have to tie the MSD next to the battery. Power and
gas mileage improved at least 10%. More torgue in hill climbing.


Another one was installed in a 93 Mercury Villager with a 3.0
6 cylinder engine, which runs significantly smoother.

To take full advantage of the MSD you'd have to widen the plug gap by at least 40-50%. The much quicker rise time of the high voltage(MSD
claims over 400 Volt) that the capacitor discharges into the coil
will easily put a spark across the plug gap twice as wide as
the factory spec.

Weakness:

Not easy to find a spot for installation.
A challenge for the layman who does not know the basic concept
of breaker-coil ignition.
Must widen spark plug gap to really take advantage of the installation.

The stronger spark from the MSD 6 actually fires two or three times
in succesion thus promoting more complete combustion, and amelioates
the loss through the distributor. Big, fat, strong sparks are
probably the most important element in engine efficiency.

Your probably won't experience the same level of improvement
with the MSD on the newer multi-coil , distributorless system,
although MSD does make a Capacitor Discharge for this application.
It seems the MSD will give you the maximum advantage in
a distributor system. MSD(or Jacobs, Accel etc)'s helical wound wires
should also be used in place of the stock wire in order to
realize the potential available from Capacitive Discharge Ignition.

Properly installed(with wider plug gaps, wire wound wires,
and a general clean up of the distributor/rotor contacts),
the MSD, (or for that matter, any reliable CDI) should give your
engine a higher level of performance as I have experienced with the
following vehicles:


83 MBZ SEC 380(timing advanced by about 10 degree)
85 MBZ SE 380(timing advanced by about 10 degree)
85 MBZ SEC 500(timing advanced by about 10 degree)
93 VOLVO 760 (timing advanced just before pinging occurs)
89 MBZ SEC 560 (timing fixed by computor, cannot be adjusted)
91 FORD Areostar 3.0(computor fixed timing , cannot adjust)
87 VOLVO 240(timing advanced just before pingihg occurs)
93 Mercury Villager (no attempt made to adjust timing)

I do intend to install another MSD 6a in a 91 Lexus LS400
but this engine has two sets of distributors/coils and thus requires
two MSD 6a's. There is hardly any room for even one. MSD should make the
product more compact.

Similar Products Used:

Delta Mark 2, no longer made. Delta did not offer multi-spark,
which is essential in matching the original spark duration (CD's
spark duration is much shorter)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 12, 2001]
Brad
Model Reviewed: 1990 Wrangler YJ Sahara

Strength:

Faster Starts, More low end torque, better idle, better high speed performance

Weakness:

none

I was looking at Jacobs and MSD ignitions for my Jeep 258. The claims they bragged about interested me so I went down to my local Auto parts store to check them out. I was chatting with the motorhead that was on duty and he said the Accel super coil and a set of low resistance wires will do just as well at increasing spark and combustion. It also cost about half as much and a easier install! After about an hour I was tready to fire the Jeep up. I turned the key and the 4.2 jumped to life. Hmmm Idle did seem smoother so I hit the road. Sheez, I can now lay rubber off the line! Something that just didn't happen b-4. The high rev miss is also gone. Everything that Jacobs and MSD claimed was accomplished at half the price!

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 05, 2001]
Damian Amerosa
Model Reviewed: 1997 GMC Z71 5.7 SB/Ext Cab

Strength:

Increased Fuel Economy dramatically!, Increased performance noticably, smoothed out engine idle and across rev range.

Weakness:

Large unit requires some thinking to find a suitable mounting spot.

The installation of this item was a breeze on my truck. The only (Very Slight) problem that I encountered was finding a suitable mounting position for the unit. Before my purchase I did a lot of research on this product, as well as consulting with MSD directly and a GM Goodwrench mechanic to get there opinions. Here is what I ended up purchasing.

MSD 6AL Ignition System with Rev Control
MSD 8.5 Performance Wires
AC-Delco Copper tipped (Stock) Rotor & Distributor Cap
Bosch Platinum spark plugs.

When I originally installed this unit I was a little skeptical on playing with the factory requested spark plug gap. Factory gap is .060 and I originally went to .065. I drove the vehical for a full week and documented fuel economy and performance gains etc. Here is what I noticed with the .065 gap.

Stock (Before MSD) (Spark Gap .060 Bosch Platinum +4 Plugs)
5 to 8 crank revolutions to start while cold or hot
Acceleration bog between 2000-2200 RPM and again at 3500 RPM
On a full tank of gas I would average 440-470 KM
Rough Idle with jumps and declines due to accessories (A/C Mostly)
Hesitation off the line.

With MSD Installed (Spark Gap .065 Bosch Platinum Plugs)
Much smoother & faster starting while cold or hot. Down to 2-4 Cranks
Smooth acceleration across the rev range. With little to no noticeable bogs.
On a full tank of gas I got 530KM without changing my driving style
Idled rock solid at 800RPM with out the slightest decline!
No hesitation off the line (You give it gas….It goes instantly)

With MSD Installed (Spark Gap .070 Bosch Platinum Plugs)
Instant Starting on first or second crank cold or hot!
Increased acceleration dramatically !! Zero bogs or lags at any RPM!!
On a full tank of gas I got over 600KM !!!!!! Without changing my driving style!!
THAT’S LIKE A 25% INCREASE IN FUEL ECCONOMY!! AMAZING!!
Idled rock solid at 800RPM with out the slightest decline!
Amazing acceleration increase off the line! Now I need grippyer tires!

Conclusion
I am probably one of the most skeptical people out there. I know that most magic boxes offer hollow promises with all this performance increase promises and 90% of the time you will notice next to nothing after spending your hard earned money. BUT in this case I have to say that I am incredibly impressed. This product does exactly what it says it does, Maybe even better!…

Similar Products Used:

Stock Ignition.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 10, 2001]
Chris
Model Reviewed: 95 mustang gt

Strength:

Easy install more responsive power

Weakness:

Hard to tell the power increase-probably higher increase in top end spark not off the line

Easy to install, it was worth it for me because i got it used for 40 dollars, you don't need it on a mostly stock car-but my supercharger is comming soon!!!!

Similar Products Used:

stock

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 03, 2001]
Jan Feuchtner
Model Reviewed: 97 Jeep Wrangler TJ 2.5L

Strength:

The only positive thing I can say about it is that I left my headlights on for long enough to kill the average starting power of an average ignition system and with a few cranks the engine did fire up.

Weakness:

It has now fried my oem ignition coil twice with the repair bill of $238.00, it seems outrageous to pay four times the amount of purchase price in repairs...

From what I can tell, it simply raises confusion with motor failure - "is it aftermarket or stock?" - The battery can produce more 'juice' to get the engine started but has otherwise only produced problems. Perhaps it is less prone to stalling out during it's offroad abuse, but nothing that would make it's cost worth while. I've spent four times the amount of what it cost in repair bills it has produced!

Similar Products Used:

I haven't used any other ignition products and from the experience I've had here, I probably won't...Thanks for elimination of the use for jumper cables MSD, but I would rather pay the money for those!

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jun 26, 2001]
Chris Franklin
Model Reviewed: 97 pontiac and 97 camaro

Strength:

Excellt Pick Up.The price is right.

Weakness:

Still have some fouling

I had a lot of problems with fouling sparkplus and with slow starts of the line that factory ignition had to go. After researching and asking around more people said try MSD. Well I thook there advice and now im the one who gives the advice.
My reaction time seemed to increase with th new ignition becuase i did not have to wait for the factory igniton to wake up and go. Fouling plugs is almost a thing of the past it happens every so often but not as frequent as the GM ignition.

Similar Products Used:

compared to factory it make you wonder why they dont put them in to begin with.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Aug 20, 2001]
Dave
Model Reviewed: 85 Supra and 86 Corvette

Strength:

Can clean up idle and increase high rpm depending on application.

Weakness:

A little noisy if mounted in the interior

I bought it for my corvette, but one winter I put it on My supra. It mad a huge difference on mildy modified Supra. Form 4000rpm up it was very noticeably. The factory ignition made the car want to die at 5800rpm, with MSD it pull to 6500 rpm. I was pleasantly surprise.

On my Corvette it hasn't seem to make a huge difference (the motor isn't a high rpm rever). It did mask a problem though. For a while my car would barely idle with out it, with it it almost idled perfectly. I found that I had a leaky injector.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 31-38 of 38  

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