MSD Boxes I'm so confused!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Gastonia north Carolina
MSD Boxes I'm so confused!!!
Can anyone tell me what is the best application of MSD box to get ? I have an Electronic ignition dist. So I would need something that can adapt to that system. Gotta get the best milage for every gal. so Ignition is my first place to look for better milage + performance.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
You either love or hate MSD boxes. Nascar uses them but have 2 mounted a main and a backup if the main goes out. I bought the 6 ALN. It is the Nascar version. Exact same box but has extra vibration isolators and the whole box is filled with a silicone type gel to isolate internal vibration and keep the heat off the internal components. Think it was $180 new in unopened box from the supplier on e-bay. Has 3 years use on it and is back in. One of the best upgrades I made was going with an all MSD ignition setup.
Edit: Guess the price went up. Here is one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MSD-6...QQcmdZViewItem
Edit: Guess the price went up. Here is one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MSD-6...QQcmdZViewItem
Last edited by 63mako; Jun 8, 2008 at 01:04 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Unless you feel the need for a rev limiter, get the 6A instead of the 6AL. Save the bucks.
The only practical difference between the 6A/6AL and other boxes is the 6A/6AL are analog and some other models within the MSD line and some other makers are digital. They do the same thing...they just do it in a different manner. The spark doesn't care if it was generated from a digital or analog box, just that it gets generated.
Get whatever make and model box you like as long as it's compatible with your distributor.
The only practical difference between the 6A/6AL and other boxes is the 6A/6AL are analog and some other models within the MSD line and some other makers are digital. They do the same thing...they just do it in a different manner. The spark doesn't care if it was generated from a digital or analog box, just that it gets generated.
Get whatever make and model box you like as long as it's compatible with your distributor.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Can anyone tell me what is the best application of MSD box to get ? I have an Electronic ignition dist. So I would need something that can adapt to that system. Gotta get the best milage for every gal. so Ignition is my first place to look for better milage + performance.
I have the 6AL and have had 0 problems. I like the fact that I have the rev limiter especialy with a cast bottom end and a heavy right foot.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Friends don't tell anybody to buy 6a or 6AL!
Digital anything is the way to go. I use the Crane digital. You can take it out of the system in 30 seconds
Digital anything is the way to go. I use the Crane digital. You can take it out of the system in 30 seconds
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Inductive ignition (like HEI) is better at lighting a lean mix due to the longer duration spark. That's why MSD et al fire multiple times at low rpm, hoping one of the short duration sparks will light.
Capacitive discharge (MSD, Crane etc) is better at lighting a dense mix such as (very) high compression, forced induction etc.
If you have a regular NA street engine reving about 6K you don't need anything but an HEI. There will not be any mileage gains with CD.
...and now some people will post that they saw big economy gains with a CD box, but I stand by the above. Physics are physics.
Capacitive discharge (MSD, Crane etc) is better at lighting a dense mix such as (very) high compression, forced induction etc.
If you have a regular NA street engine reving about 6K you don't need anything but an HEI. There will not be any mileage gains with CD.
...and now some people will post that they saw big economy gains with a CD box, but I stand by the above. Physics are physics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 228
From: Oakbank Manitoba
I've heard from many sources that the digital boxes are more reliable over the long haul. The HEI is all you need for a strong street motor though as "Corvette Engineering" zwede"and "tfi racing" have said.