MSD ignition
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
MSD ignition
trying to decide what MSD ignition to run in my 81. changing the carb and distributor. the car has nitrous. I looked at msd but there are many choices, looks like some have no vacum advance and some need controlers and some are ready to run, what would be my best setup? I noticed you could install a retard module that activated when nitrous was being used. help!! to many choices
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by gator79
trying to decide what MSD ignition to run in my 81. changing the carb and distributor. the car has nitrous. I looked at msd but there are many choices, looks like some have no vacum advance and some need controlers and some are ready to run, what would be my best setup? I noticed you could install a retard module that activated when nitrous was being used. help!! to many choices
i installed a Digital 6 Plus in my 79 and have been very happy with it. in my opinion, the digital ignitions are better than the older analog ignitions. The 6AL is 30 year old tecnology. they are reliable but don't have the "bells and whistles" that the new digital ignitions have. you "can" add on most of the features included in the digital units but you end up buying extra boxes and plugging boxes into boxes, etc. the Digital 6 Plus has a retard feature built in to the unit for use with nitrous. it also has a starter retard mode which i have found beneficial on hot re-starts. if your going to the racetrack you may want to look at the more advanced Digital 7 units but for street use i think the 6 is the way to go.
one other advantage the digital units have over the analog. the 6AL uses plug in "pills" for the rev limiter. you usually buy them in assorted bags of 5 for about $25.00. the digital units have built in dip switches to adjust the rev limit from about 2000 rpm up to 12,000 rpm in 100 rpm increments. if you buy a couple of bags of "pills" for the analog unit, you've brought your cost up to as much or more than you'll pay for the Digital 6 unit.
my .02. hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
what distributor would you use with the digital 6 ? I assume all timing advance is controlled by the module so there would be no need for vaccum or mechanical advance, is this correct?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by gator79
what distributor would you use with the digital 6 ? I assume all timing advance is controlled by the module so there would be no need for vaccum or mechanical advance, is this correct?
As far as distributor recommendations etc., check out
http://www.msdignition.com/ignition_18_6520.htm
Good luck...
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
From the last time I was looking MSD does have a corvette tach drive vac advance distributor.
Here is an HEI version but I know that they have a regular one too...
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...h.asp&x=48&y=7
Here is an HEI version but I know that they have a regular one too...
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...h.asp&x=48&y=7
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by gator79
what distributor would you use with the digital 6 ? I assume all timing advance is controlled by the module so there would be no need for vaccum or mechanical advance, is this correct?
6 series does NOT control advance. you'll either have to get a distributor with vacuum advance (MSD lists a stock replacement in their catalog, don't have the number handy) OR get a programmable retard module and LOCK OUT all the advance mechanisms on the stock distributor. O.K. for strip but not ideal for street use. Vaccum advance is the way to go for street use. there have been many posts on this on this forum. personnaly i'd stay with stock type distributor unless you are PRIMARILY using the car on the strip.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
I like the idea of the stock type distributor from msd. my car has a nitrous setup and i like the timing retard feature of the digital 6, is there a way to do it with the msd stock type distributor with vaccum advance? the car is only driven on the street, no strip use. thanks for all the help
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Sorry I posted the wrong link.. Here is the correct one for the HEI with tach drive and vac advance.. Dave..
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...h.asp&x=48&y=7
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...h.asp&x=48&y=7
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
I have a tach drive MSD distributor that looks like the old points style if thats what your looking for. MSD also makes the one that looks like a points distributor without the tach drive. You should be able to find them on MSD's website. I have the 6AL box (running a 6000rpm pill, and btw, the pills are nothing but a resistor so if you know the resistace of the RPM then you could make one I suppose). I am really happy with my setup.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by theandies
I have a tach drive MSD distributor that looks like the old points style if thats what your looking for. MSD also makes the one that looks like a points distributor without the tach drive. You should be able to find them on MSD's website. I have the 6AL box (running a 6000rpm pill, and btw, the pills are nothing but a resistor so if you know the resistace of the RPM then you could make one I suppose). I am really happy with my setup.
Hmmm ... run some wires and connect a potentiometer for cockpit control.
... saw your vette in the VA Lars pics ... I love the Warbonnet Yellow
more and more every day. I'm thinking go WB Yellow with black trim to
match my black chassis with gold trim ... but that's a ways off.
