Thinking about going to msd on my 80 l82.
My stock dist is fine but i have been told
that a msd package could gain up to 10 horsepower
is it worth the money for better spark(not just for a little hosepower)

 

It would cost a lot to switch over to msd may not be worth it for
10 HP.

 

I guess it matters, Horsepower tv only got 3hp through a full msd setup... I think they spetn 500$ to get that 3hp too, now is that worth it.... I guess it matters but no one can tell how much hp you will get with it.... Id go for it, because it should give you quicker throttle, and better mpg, and a lil hp.

 

Just run the MSD HEI and you will get all the benifits of an MSD much cheaper.

 

Add in a hi output coil, thats all you need, Might pick up a pony or two and its only about $50

 

IMHO ... full msd setup (dist, separate box, separate coil) is pretty much a waste of good resources ($) on a street car ... it ain't gonna do too much. If the stock HEI is in good shape, a hotter MODULE will help. Here's a real good module we use in circle track cars w/OE 4-pin HEI ... plenty hot & holds up well. Davis-Performance DynaMod P/N 000222 http://www.performancedistributors.com/modules.htm

MSD has recently introduced a cheaper version of their HEI ... new P/N 8362.

 

I run the MSD pro billet dist and box. I upgraded when I installed the new engine, mainly to get away from points.

I think your HEI is fine and you really wouldn't gain any noticeable improvement. In fact, your HEI is probably more reliable.

 

I think that there are a couple of multiple spark, after market modules that will accomplish the same thing for you and much cheaper. As I understand it, the stock HEI (if in good shape) will probably hit its limits at over 6500 RPM. Not much of an issue on a street car.

 

I just went through the whole MSD thing. I spent some money on a pretty much stock car; however I haven't REALLY seen any benefits. If I had an HEI, I would NOT go with a full MSD. just my 2 cents....

ITs neat stuff to be sure, but .... worth it ??

carbster

 

: :
if you believe that i've got a bridge to sell you also............

if your stock HEI distributor is working fine than leave it be. Even if it wasn't working fine I'd suggest having it rebuilt and it would be fine for another 25 years.
There is no reason at all to replace your factory HEI, which is actually a very good distributor with "hot rod" parts. You are not going to feel any performance gain and if you did it wouldn't be nearly enough to justify the cost.
Think of the basics of what a distributor does - it creates spark to ignite your fuel/air mixture in the cylinders and it also adjusts the spark timing for the spark to happen at the correct time.
Your stock distributor produces PLENTY of electricity for spark and it does an excellent job of controlling spark timing so why replace it?

He's an analogy for the spark issue: you have a big pile of wood that you just soaked with a full bottle of lighter fluid. you throw a match on it and it immediately ignites.
Now, do you think that if you throw a full burning torch on the pile it would have ignited any faster? NO!
You have a fuel/air mixture that is prime for combustion, once you have enough spark energy to ignite it adding more spark energy really isn't going to significantly gain you anything.

 

I have an MSD tach-drive distributor, 6AL ignition and Blaster 2 coil. I like the set up, but I was replacing the old points system. Unless you are planning adding nitrous, increasing compression or building a 7000 rpm capable engine, I'd stick with your stock HEI.

 

Unless you plan on going over 7000 RPM there's no point to switch from HEI.

 

I have the Msd with tach drive and the 6al so I dont have any problems with the ignition ,just like everybody says if you plan on taking it to the track and your serious about performance its a good setup,but then again a good hei will work too.

 

There's more threads with people having probs with after market dists then one can count...do yourself a favor....leave it stock...

 

I just bought the MSD setup for the cool stickers they put in the boxes. The sticker alone is worth 10HP.

 

I just added a MSD 6al and I noticed a huge improvment. THe car is more responsive. I am running an Accel HEI. All you do is gut the HEI and rewire. It is very simple and hook me less than an Hour to hook up. I don't know if there is any horsepower gains. I am also running a wide band air flow gauge and noticed a difference in the fuel curve so I know it is working.