MSD install (tips and tricks?)
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Cumming GA
Not a suggestion on mounting (although if you had anyway to mount the box inside the car just on the other side of the firewall that does help with heat)........ but, you might wanna open your spark plug gap up to .045. (I do that now with this same setup on another car, and have many folks suggesting the same).
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
I mounted my 6AL box on the passenger fenderwell, back behind my collant expansion tank. from there, you can easily grap power from the starter. Like kaamacat said, you can also mount it on the inside of the firewall, but dont mount it too far away from the engine... the box provides over 400 volts DC to the coil, so the further you have it from the coil, the higher the voltage drop will be.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,022
Likes: 2,265
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I stuck the box way back under the left fender out of sight.
I have also added some ignition options to mine. I had the box die one time, so mine now has the capability of running on the MSD box, or converting back to points with nothing more than unplugging and swapping around a couple of wires. I left ballast resistor setup wired in parrallel so that I could go back to it if needed easily.
Now this was before I added an MSD dist...but on long road trips, I have my spare points dist with me just in case.
On the MSD dist, I would carefully review what you want for a timing curve before you put it in. It comes with the strongest springs and the smallest bushing. This will make for low initial timing and a slow curve. Most hot rod deals with big cams etc like a LOT of initial timing. I usually go straight to the largest bushing and the lightest springs. And it still doesn't have as much initial as I like...but one of these days I'll make a new bushing for it.
JIM
I have also added some ignition options to mine. I had the box die one time, so mine now has the capability of running on the MSD box, or converting back to points with nothing more than unplugging and swapping around a couple of wires. I left ballast resistor setup wired in parrallel so that I could go back to it if needed easily.
Now this was before I added an MSD dist...but on long road trips, I have my spare points dist with me just in case.
On the MSD dist, I would carefully review what you want for a timing curve before you put it in. It comes with the strongest springs and the smallest bushing. This will make for low initial timing and a slow curve. Most hot rod deals with big cams etc like a LOT of initial timing. I usually go straight to the largest bushing and the lightest springs. And it still doesn't have as much initial as I like...but one of these days I'll make a new bushing for it.
JIM
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,022
Likes: 2,265
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I stuck the box way back under the left fender out of sight.
I have also added some ignition options to mine. I had the box die one time, so mine now has the capability of running on the MSD box, or converting back to points with nothing more than unplugging and swapping around a couple of wires. I left ballast resistor setup wired in parrallel so that I could go back to it if needed easily.
Now this was before I added an MSD dist...but on long road trips, I have my spare points dist with me just in case.
On the MSD dist, I would carefully review what you want for a timing curve before you put it in. It comes with the strongest springs and the smallest bushing. This will make for low initial timing and a slow curve. Most hot rod deals with big cams etc like a LOT of initial timing. I usually go straight to the largest bushing and the lightest springs. And it still doesn't have as much initial as I like...but one of these days I'll make a new bushing for it.
JIM
I have also added some ignition options to mine. I had the box die one time, so mine now has the capability of running on the MSD box, or converting back to points with nothing more than unplugging and swapping around a couple of wires. I left ballast resistor setup wired in parrallel so that I could go back to it if needed easily.
Now this was before I added an MSD dist...but on long road trips, I have my spare points dist with me just in case.
On the MSD dist, I would carefully review what you want for a timing curve before you put it in. It comes with the strongest springs and the smallest bushing. This will make for low initial timing and a slow curve. Most hot rod deals with big cams etc like a LOT of initial timing. I usually go straight to the largest bushing and the lightest springs. And it still doesn't have as much initial as I like...but one of these days I'll make a new bushing for it.
JIM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
I just did mine tonight...I placed it behind the egg crate grill on the drivers side and ran wires from the battery.
But I like JoeRags idea better to put it on the other side near the starter and feed off the battery... I think i will change mine to that side. I really like the performance of the MSD.. smoother idle and instant response... cool upgrade.
Thanks JoeRags for the Idea
Jim
But I like JoeRags idea better to put it on the other side near the starter and feed off the battery... I think i will change mine to that side. I really like the performance of the MSD.. smoother idle and instant response... cool upgrade.
Thanks JoeRags for the Idea
Jim
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
another tip.... MSD sells a capacitor for about $30 to put in the power line to smooth out any voltage spikes... I had a spike short out my box, left me stranded waiting for a flatbed.
forget spending 30 bucks on a 2 dollar capacitor... the one they use is 26,000 microfarad if I remember correclty. go to your local electronics store and buy some cheap insurance.
forget spending 30 bucks on a 2 dollar capacitor... the one they use is 26,000 microfarad if I remember correclty. go to your local electronics store and buy some cheap insurance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
FWIW, to those talking about failures...
I've had a MSD 6 series box and cannister-style Blaster coil in my truck for almost twenty years and it still spins like a top. Not the first hint of failure in that time. I finally replaced the coil about two weeks ago, but I'm not sure it even needed it. It's triggered by an Accel dual points dist., with one breaker disabled. I have to adjust the active one once every ten years or so. The coil is mounted to the factory bracket on the intake. The box is on the firewall, in the cabin, on the passenger side.
In the Vette, I'm running a Digital 6, Blaster HVC dry coil, and Billet Dist.. The box is mounted inside the pass. fender area. Can hardly see it. Probably would have been better to put in inside, but I didn't feel like messing about with the dash and wanted easy access to the dials on the box. I ran a separate power cable directly from the battery, just for the MSD.
I've had a MSD 6 series box and cannister-style Blaster coil in my truck for almost twenty years and it still spins like a top. Not the first hint of failure in that time. I finally replaced the coil about two weeks ago, but I'm not sure it even needed it. It's triggered by an Accel dual points dist., with one breaker disabled. I have to adjust the active one once every ten years or so. The coil is mounted to the factory bracket on the intake. The box is on the firewall, in the cabin, on the passenger side.
In the Vette, I'm running a Digital 6, Blaster HVC dry coil, and Billet Dist.. The box is mounted inside the pass. fender area. Can hardly see it. Probably would have been better to put in inside, but I didn't feel like messing about with the dash and wanted easy access to the dials on the box. I ran a separate power cable directly from the battery, just for the MSD.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
I have that exact same set up. I am betting, if your points were in good shape, you won't notice a difference. But, no more adjusting points, and that's a good thing.
I agree with getting a capacitor. It will help prevent radio interference as well. I have my 6AL box mounted in front of the radiator support, and my stereo still got tons of interference without the capacitor.
I agree with getting a capacitor. It will help prevent radio interference as well. I have my 6AL box mounted in front of the radiator support, and my stereo still got tons of interference without the capacitor.
Last edited by rcread; May 5, 2006 at 10:51 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by 2th farmer
WOW!!!! What a difference! The MONSTER is alive! Well worth the money.
I answered your original post. with all the work you put in this engine the MSD ignition system is a big plus in performance and reliability. Enjoy! I take it you got your vibration figured out.
