Which Ignition Box to buy?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Which Ignition Box to buy?
Ok...I know this has been kicked around here numberous times...but want some feed back.
I have a mild SB crate motor with aluminum heads (not sure which ones yet...late centerbolt angled head is best I know).
I ditched the Points setup for a Mallary Unilite Tach Drive unit a while back with Petronix Flame Thrower Coil (Already had from previous Petronix system). However I didn't upgrade to an ignition box and get rid of the ballost resistor. The time has now come. I've narrowed it down to 4....the musts are a built in rev limiter, just in case I ever get to the track at some point.
Which one is the best bet?
Why is it better to add the box, as opposed to staying pat (I know that its beneficial...just curious)?
THANKS
I have a mild SB crate motor with aluminum heads (not sure which ones yet...late centerbolt angled head is best I know).
I ditched the Points setup for a Mallary Unilite Tach Drive unit a while back with Petronix Flame Thrower Coil (Already had from previous Petronix system). However I didn't upgrade to an ignition box and get rid of the ballost resistor. The time has now come. I've narrowed it down to 4....the musts are a built in rev limiter, just in case I ever get to the track at some point.
Which one is the best bet?
Why is it better to add the box, as opposed to staying pat (I know that its beneficial...just curious)?
THANKS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (ZORA_RULES)
Spend the extra money and get a MSD digital 6. They are not analog so radio waves will not fry them. I plan on putting in this box with a MSD tach drive distributor in my car this summer.
Mark B.
Mark B.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (Sigforty)
Sigforty,
Love those Red Chrome Bumper sharks.
Thxs for the input...I like the sounds of the digital 6 to, especially with the dual rev limiters (could see where that would be beneficial) but the price is a little more than I'm wanting to spend. The Accel and Crane are digital but of course the MSD models seem to own the mkt.
Love those Red Chrome Bumper sharks.
Thxs for the input...I like the sounds of the digital 6 to, especially with the dual rev limiters (could see where that would be beneficial) but the price is a little more than I'm wanting to spend. The Accel and Crane are digital but of course the MSD models seem to own the mkt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (ZORA_RULES)
I have the Accel 300+ that was almost new on the car when I bought it. It seems to work fine on my BB with the rev limiter set at 6 grand. When I removed my passenger seat a month ago to refurb it, found an old MSD 6a under it which had been disconnected, probably because it had failed. Other than the new MSD, the others are probably all about the same.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (Marks69BB)
The MSD is the industry standard, but I think any of them are better than nothing.
But if you are running a stocker there's no point.
But if you are running a stocker there's no point.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (427V8)
Thanks for the feedback guys. I've heard good things about MSD obviously and the Accel.
427....well its definitly more than stock, but nothing in you're neighborhood....around 350 gross HP supposedly.
gkull your oppinion on any engine matter always carry a great amt of weight....thxs
427....well its definitly more than stock, but nothing in you're neighborhood....around 350 gross HP supposedly.
gkull your oppinion on any engine matter always carry a great amt of weight....thxs
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (ZORA_RULES)
I am running the Crane HI6. 3 years never missed a beat. Rotary dials for the rev limiter works much better than the chips. Easy to tune. The Digital 6 lokes like a good unit but a little pricey for the street.
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Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,463
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (LT1driver)
i still swear by my jacob's. in fact, i just found out last month that they warranty their coils for life. how? mine went bad. not sure what caused it but i called jacob's and they said it's a lifetime warranty on the coil. i was told to send it back to summit (where i bought the system) and they would send me a new one. not only that but they refunded me the cost of shipping the bad one back. beat that! :D
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard CA
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (clutchdust)
MSD Digital 6 Plus, is there any other? MSD has won more races than all of the other ignition companies combined. Use the Blaster SS or the HVC coil with the 6 Plus. This box has 2 rev limiters and a built in retard, very nice stuff for only $280.00.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 118
From: Texas
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (ZORA_RULES)
I have the Mallory Unilite / Hyfire combo on my '71 LS-5 454. This combo has work flawlessly for the last ten years. The matched systems are designed to work with each other and make installation a snap.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (ZORA_RULES)
Here is my experience on a 73 454". I have run the Crane HI-6 and their PS92 coil using a MSD magnetic distributor and Accel 300+ wires for 5 years and not had a problem. The rev limiter seems pretty accurate. If you compare the Crane and the MSD the Crane has a higher output with the same specs as the MSD for mulifires etc.
I can not refererence the MSD for reliability, just what is on the posts. Digital is great if you are using NOX and want the ability to add in the extra retard capability. Is it worth the difference in price - that's your call.
Both boxes will trigger from points, or magnetic or a crank trigger. They are easy to wire in, hardest part is finding a good location to mount the box and the new coil. Either way, use good wires, like the Accel 300+, no problems with RFI on the radio. Good luck.
I can not refererence the MSD for reliability, just what is on the posts. Digital is great if you are using NOX and want the ability to add in the extra retard capability. Is it worth the difference in price - that's your call.
Both boxes will trigger from points, or magnetic or a crank trigger. They are easy to wire in, hardest part is finding a good location to mount the box and the new coil. Either way, use good wires, like the Accel 300+, no problems with RFI on the radio. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (ZORA_RULES)
I have some MSD stuff brand new in the boxes if anyone is interested. I was going to install them in my shark, but now I'm moving to Holley EFI and it requires a different distributor, does timing itself, and I'm going for a Digital-6.
Pro Billet ready to run SBC distributor, with cap & rotor
MSD 6AL with all wiring, manuals etc
MSD Programmable Timing Computer (the best one they have)
Mechanical Advance lockout for distrib (use with timing computer)
The timing computer is really cool, it replaces the mechanical advance and allows you to set your advance curve accurately with potentiometers. No more bouncing advance, and you can fine tune it, no need for weights & springs. Has other features too. If anyone is interested, this is brand new stuff I bought within the last year, and I'll do a nice little discount over Summit/Jegs prices.
Rob
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Re: Which Ignition Box to buy? (robzr)
Hi Guys thanks for all the feedback. I haven't been able to check this out, just got back from watching my Sooners win they're opening game....not real impressive but I'll take it.
Well the good news is, it sounds like I'm pretty safe with whichever box I go with...didn't hear any bad comments about any of the boxes.
Well the good news is, it sounds like I'm pretty safe with whichever box I go with...didn't hear any bad comments about any of the boxes.
