ScubaJKD

I have the 6al but have recently gotten the Digital 6 bug. Anyone running Digital 6 with an honest opinion about it vs the 6al ? Thanks

:cheers:

ScubaJKD

TTT

CDaniel525

Whats the differnce between the two??
I thought there was only the MSD-6, and the MSD-6AL??

Chris

norvalwilhelm

Doesn't the digit 6 have retart for nitrous built in plus a retart for starting? I thought it also had the built in rev limiter the same as the 6al. It is also alot more expensive.

vader86

Ive not heard of any C4 guys replacing the AL with the Digi6, theyre basically the same thing. I wouldnt worry about it.

ScubaJKD

The MSD Digital 6 has several features built in that the 6al does not. For example:

Adjustable Start Timing Retard Built In
Adjustable High RPM Single Stage Retard Built In
Adjustable in 100 rpm increments Rev Limiter not 1000rpm
Nitrous Switch Retard that automatically retards timing specifiec degrees when you hit the happy button
Unit uses 20 % less power to run

The digital is much more advanced than the 6AL that is of course if you beleive the marketing material. Hence this post, hopeing for a real world check on this unit to see how it has stacked up.

:cheers:

ScubaJKD

norvalwilhelm,

Yep 100.00 bucks more.

Sigforty

The digital unit is not an anolog like the A and AL. That means it cannot be fried by someone shooting radio waves at it.

Mark B.

63Banshee

That may be one reason behind all these Vette MSD failures.

ScubaJKD

63Banshee,

Are you referring to all the MSD 6A and 6AL failures ? I have not heard of anyone on the forum with a Digital 6 that has had a failure.

:cheers:

63Banshee

Yeah, analog failures. Makes sense now that I think about it.

I’ve said many times here that it is very important to insulate these boxes from heat and electrical interference, both of which are hard to do on a Vette.

ScubaJKD

Well I just ordered the new MSD Digital 6. I think it was the built in features like start retard, and nitros swtich retard that got me. I will post after install with an objective opinion.

Thanks

ScubaJKD

FYI if anyone is insterest here are the specs: MSD Digital 6

Built-In Features

Switch between two rev limits that adjust with rotary switches in 100 rpm increments.

Single stage retard for nitrous and top end performance.

Start retard eases pressure on the starter, flywheel and engine.

Adjustable magnetic pickup compensation produces accurate trigger signals.

LED display warns of trigger signal problems or faulty charging system.

Fully potted with polyurethane for vibration and water protection.


DIGITAL DONE RIGHT!

Digital-6 Plus Ignition Control

The all new MSD Digital-6 Plus Ignition Control embraces advanced digital technology to take performance ignitions into the future. No other digital ignition can match the power and efficiency of the all new MSD Digital-6 Plus.

MSD combines race winning experience with cutting edge technology to create the most powerful Digital Ignition available! The Digital-6 Plus is Digital Done Right!

The heart of the Digital-6 Plus Ignition is a 15 Megahertz microcontroller, the fastest of all digital ignitions. What this means is the controller analyzes up to 15,000,000 critical instructions per second! This is over three times the speed of comparable ignitions and produces the most accurate trigger signals, timing and rev limits possible.

MSD engineers have spent an endless amount of time testing the components of the Digital-6 Plus to ensure the most efficient and reliable operation. The 6 Plus produces more power with less current draw (20% less) by incorporating an IGBT coil driver that can be controlled for improved coil saturation. Also, power MOSFET technology and high frequency magnetic converters require less input current while producing more energy and voltage.

Every spark of the Digital-6 Plus ignition is packed with 135 millijoules of spark energy and up to 535 volts. When used with the MSD Blaster HVC Coil, PN 8252, a spark with over 300 milliamps burns across the plug gap for 400 microseconds. Below 3,300 rpm the Digital-6 Plus produces a series of sparks that glows in the cylinder for up to 20° of crankshaft rotation. This incredible heat ensures combustion to produce great power, quick throttle response, smooth idle and quick starts.

To prevent any chance of Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) a filter circuit is made up of state-of-the-art magnetic suppressor components. This, combined with the more than competent microcontroller, checks and rechecks inputs many times to determine “clean” signals before making any compensations. The magnetic input also features a unique microcontrolled feedback circuit for total EMI-free operation.

Digital 6-Plus Ignition Control - PN 6520

OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS FOR MSD DIGITAL 6-PLUS
Operating Voltage: 12-18 volts, neg. ground (Full voltage output down 7 volts supply)
Current Draw: 0.7 amp per 1,000 rpm (7.2 amp)
with 14V bat.@ 10,000 rpm
RPM Range: 12,500 rpm with 14.4 volt supply
Spark Duration: 20° crankshaft rotation thru 3,300 rpm
Spark Energy: 135 milliJoules per spark
Weight and Size: 3.7 lbs, 8.5"L x 4.5"W x 2.2"H
Voltage Output Max: Primary: 535 Volts delivered to coil
Secondary: 45,000 Volts (MSD HVC Coil)

69er

I had one box installed behind the dash fry in a couple of months.
I have one now installed on the valance in front of the radiator.It's been there for about 2 years 4500 miles without a problem even through rain.It gets great airflow which was is most important factor as told to me by an MSD rep.
However I lack confidence it will continue to be ok.
Anyone have any failures or hear of any with the Digital 6?




[Modified by 69er, 10:55 AM 2/12/2002]

Monty

I've been running the Digital 6 Plus with an MSD HVC coil for about a year, bought it when I buil the SBC 427. I have it in the compartment behind the passenger seat, along with the FAST/SpeedPro SEFI and have not had any problems with it. It is the ignition box we used when we dyno'd the motor. I like it because it has all the features built right in, rather than adding additional relay boxes and rev-limit plug in modules. By the time you account for all the add-ons you might need with the analog MSD boxes, the price difference is negligible. I haven't heard of any Digital 6 failures.

I'm swapping it out for a Digital 7 Plus now that I am going with forced induction, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Digital 6 + for practically any engine combination.

69er

Thanks Monty.
Looks like I'll be spending $229(that's after the 6A box I have sold for $50) for a little more piece of mind against box failure.
Now if i can only get that credit card bill before the wife sees it!:yesnod:


[Modified by 69er, 6:44 PM 2/12/2002]

ScubaJKD

I posted the same question on the Camaro forum and got the following response. Very Interesting:

________________________
I just removed my MSD 6AL and Blaster 3 coil and replaced it with an MSD Digital 6 and HVC coil. Boy, what a difference. I swear you can feel it. Smoother running and the built in 2 step it not near as harsh. I guess the real test will be on the clock, but I am happy so far
________________________
I finally hit the track last night. First pass, out of the box was a 11.42@117mph. Best pass, on motor, with a working 6AL was in the 11.50's. Motor and two step are 100% smoother than with the 6AL. I have not installed the HVC coil yet, but I will try to do it this weekend and hit the track again next week
________________________
I made it back a few times, but have only pushed her to 11.30's on motor. It is just to hot down here to run better. October will be an ET month. I did install the HVC coil, but the car performered the same as with the blaster. Only thing I noiced is that the plugs looked a little cleaner(leaner?), but ET was the same.

:cheers:

TRUE-DUALS

I just got an installed a 6AL. Should there be any reason why the Tac. is not reading as it had. Easy enough to tell I dont know much on the subject. Thanks

bigvette1

Looking forward to the results. The ads are good - now what does it do?