The MSD thread got me thinking....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...290&forum_id=3

I did some searching online and I am having a hard time deciding which is that better way to go.

I'm not asking about points vs modern electonic ignition, I'm talking about the best and most modern inductive vs. the most modern capacitive discharge ignition.

I'm using a Crane Hi-6 and my car isn't running as well as I think it's capible.

My hydraulic roller BB is only good to 5600rpms. So I don't need something optimized for a 6500rpm+ race engine.

does anyone have any thoughts?

~Jay

 

Personnaly I don't think its going to make any difference. If you don't have immense pressure inside the combustion chamber or very high rpms then the benefit would be hard to measure.
Stock ignition is probably fine.

The best system is having 1 coil per cylinder. Unless you can add it easily its not a cheap system.

 

I'd go inductive on your application, Jay. You don't spin the rpms or have the cylinder pressure to where CD makes sense.

In the other thread you mention you have a MSD dizzy. I think the MSD mag pickup is compatible with a GM module. Maybe give MSD a call to make sure. If it is compatible you can use a regular 4-pin HEI module. If there's no room in the distributor you can mount it somewhere else but you should use shielded cable between the pickup and module as the signal is weak and could pick up noise.

I had heat problems with my late model 8-pin module. They don't take heat as well as the 4-pins. I mounted my module behind the dash and used an old PC CPU heatsink.

 

Thanks for the reply. I called MSD to get their opinion.

In at least one man's opinion, using CD is the best solution.

He thinks the root of my problem is that I have the Coil wires and Magnetic pickup wires too close together.

The Hi-6 is inside the car so he suggested keeping those wires at least 6" apart, and thatI need them to go through separate holes in the firewall.

I'll give it a try becasuse I really don't want to spend any more! This is getting to be a VERY expensive ignition!!

~Jay

 

Well the 6 series is used by all the mfrs to designate street performance. And is designed to be an improvement over stock. Even though that HEI with a good performance module will get the job done any 6 series box from MSD, Holley, Accel, Crane is designed to improve it for the street. For greater ign pwr the designations are 7, 8,.. etc. and mostly for race only.

And digital boxes are providing more sofistication with better spark profiles and auxillary functions - gott'a love a small adjustable dial for rev limiter. Even though NASCAR rules still requires analog boxes (unless rules changed recently).

I suspect the secoundary components - coil, wires, mavbe even plugs/gap - are not matching right for ur hi-pwr CD.

I too have an MSD dist #8572 and it works great with my MSD 6AL but i expect it would work even better with that digital Hi-6. Heck it even burned through a fuel/charcoal mix from my EVC (very long story ).
Anyways it works well with my Baster II coil (MSD). I use .045" gap on my plugs and have cheapo generic 7.5mm silicon insulated spiral core wires.
Now a stock coil would be inadequate for the MSD/Hi-6 boxes IMHO and may overheat or fail.
But the MSD dist needs a box to fire it and u can't run without wiring in an control model just for trial/testing with/without Hi-6 - unlike the HEI can run on 1 wire hook-up.

Its sounds like u have all the parts for a great street ign whichever u choose and should not need anymore other than possibly coil. Just need to do some testing to sort things out - take notes.
Man i get a great deep blue spark when i hold the coil wire within 1/8" of eng block - do u? Try looking at a plug spark with Hi6? With HEI?

Good luck. cardo0

 

Also MSD directs installation by wrapping/twisting wires to dist to resist induced/misfiring trigger signals. And there are small wiring details to follow, ex, as for pwr source - don't use alternator wire.

cardo0