MSD Ignition? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**PRattenbury** · 06-15-2010, 08:47 PM

So, I finally resumed working on my POS Chebby peekup. I left it to go on a several month long business trip. The engine was pretty much together. Heads on, intake on, all accessories on the front, headers on... all I had left was carb, radiator, priming the oil system, hooking up the exhaust, little stuff. So in order to prime the oiling systemI was gonna pull the distributor back out and spin the oil pump with the drill. Anyway, I got looking at the HEI distributor and thought maybe I'd get an MSD ignition. So I ordered up a 6AL box, Blaster 2 coil, Pro-Billet distributor, and a set of wires. Anybody running this setup on their small block? Do you like it? Worth 6 hundred bucks?

lifted87 · 06-15-2010, 09:59 PM

i run that set up on my 383 and it works great.

85Bowtie · 06-15-2010, 10:12 PM

Personally, I think it would have been worthwhile to spend $600 elsewhere. I have sort of an MSD knock off I bought from a company that made them here in the U.S for $35 and have been more than satisfied with it.

**PRattenbury** · 06-16-2010, 08:20 AM

Yeah, sometimes you just pay for a name.

bitchin85 · 06-16-2010, 09:00 AM

forgive me for sounding dumb but ive always wondered what these do.. dont they just spark multiple times or does it have to do with spark timing or?

Slofarmtruck · 06-16-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *****in85

forgive me for sounding dumb but ive always wondered what these do.. dont they just spark multiple times or does it have to do with spark timing or?

Essentially the MSD box is an ignition amplifier. The basic function is to multi spark at lower RPM's (I beleive anything below 3000) and to generate a stronger spark in the higher RPM's. The other plus to the MSD boxes is that some have rev limiter's, timing retards, and other associated functions depending on your use. I had run an MSD 6AL which has a rev limiter and an external adjustable MSD Retard box piggy backed off the 6AL for when I sprayed nitrous. The combination worked great! Most people do report a slight gain in power after installing most any aftermarket ignition system, be-it MSD, Jacobs, Mallory..etc... For my current truck I find the stock HEI very reliable and effecient for daily driving/hauling home projects.

**PRattenbury** · 06-16-2010, 07:03 PM

My brother runs one in his Monte Carlo and he recommended it to me. So I got it.

Slofarmtruck · 06-16-2010, 08:31 PM

You really can't go wrong with an MSD ignition. A positive but also a negative is they either work or they don't. There is no middle ground. Only advice I have is to mount it somewhere dry and away from heat. I had mounted mine inside my glove box in my 84 c10 and the humming noise got old after a while. I have also mounted them on top of the fenders and on the firewall. Good luck and let us know how the truck runs afterwards.

06-15-2010, 08:47 PM	#1
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	MSD Ignition? So, I finally resumed working on my POS Chebby peekup. I left it to go on a several month long business trip. The engine was pretty much together. Heads on, intake on, all accessories on the front, headers on... all I had left was carb, radiator, priming the oil system, hooking up the exhaust, little stuff. So in order to prime the oiling systemI was gonna pull the distributor back out and spin the oil pump with the drill. Anyway, I got looking at the HEI distributor and thought maybe I'd get an MSD ignition. So I ordered up a 6AL box, Blaster 2 coil, Pro-Billet distributor, and a set of wires. Anybody running this setup on their small block? Do you like it? Worth 6 hundred bucks?

06-15-2010, 09:59 PM	#2
lifted87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: cape cod, ma Posts: 14	Re: MSD Ignition? i run that set up on my 383 and it works great. __________________ 87 gmc with a 383,6 in lift,everything new inside and out.

06-15-2010, 10:12 PM	#3
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Re: MSD Ignition? Personally, I think it would have been worthwhile to spend $600 elsewhere. I have sort of an MSD knock off I bought from a company that made them here in the U.S for $35 and have been more than satisfied with it. __________________ '69 Dodge Charger R/T 440, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '68 Plymouth Road Runner 383, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip '89 Dodge Diplomat ex cop car 408, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '77 Dodge Monaco ex cop car 440, 727, 2.71 '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickup 360, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '12 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, M6, 3.92 '85 Chevrolet C-10 SWB 2wd 305, TH350, 2.73

06-16-2010, 08:20 AM	#4
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: MSD Ignition? Yeah, sometimes you just pay for a name.

06-16-2010, 09:00 AM	#5
bitchin85 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lambertville MI Posts: 962	Re: MSD Ignition? forgive me for sounding dumb but ive always wondered what these do.. dont they just spark multiple times or does it have to do with spark timing or? __________________ "I'll keep my guns, money, and freedom. You can keep the "change"

06-16-2010, 07:03 PM	#7
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: MSD Ignition? My brother runs one in his Monte Carlo and he recommended it to me. So I got it.

06-16-2010, 08:31 PM	#8
Slofarmtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Waukesha, WI Posts: 162	Re: MSD Ignition? You really can't go wrong with an MSD ignition. A positive but also a negative is they either work or they don't. There is no middle ground. Only advice I have is to mount it somewhere dry and away from heat. I had mounted mine inside my glove box in my 84 c10 and the humming noise got old after a while. I have also mounted them on top of the fenders and on the firewall. Good luck and let us know how the truck runs afterwards.



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