School me on programmable ignition boxes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
School me on programmable ignition boxes
Anyone on the forum run one of these?
Short back story, I converted to FAST EFI. I am running an HEI ignition. The FAST ECU prefers a digital tach signal, so I installed an MSD Digital module in my HEI distributor (cheapest way I could get a digital tach signal since I was on a tight budget). This worked well, until last night when I suddenly had no-spark. I am going to do some tests with the multi-meter tonight, but unless I get lucky and it's the coil, I'm guessing my MSD module burned out (they have a TERRIBLE reputation for lasting anywhere from 1 day to 3 years, with no real reason why they let go).
So rather than buy a new digital module (just to have it strand me somehwere when it dies) I thought I should probably do it the right way and get an MSD box (or another reputable brand's CDI box) to deliver the digital tach signal. I could get a 6a box and coil off of craigslist for $150 or so (cheapest route), but I see that MSD makes programmable ignition boxes where you can lockout your distributor and have computer controlled timing. I like that!
So are any of you running one of these programmable boxes with computer controlled timing? If so, what brand/model? Are there any cheaper than the MSD ($400) that work well?
I have a feeling it is going to be more expensive than it is worth for me, but if it only costs $100 more than the igntion box I need anyway, it may be worth it.
Short back story, I converted to FAST EFI. I am running an HEI ignition. The FAST ECU prefers a digital tach signal, so I installed an MSD Digital module in my HEI distributor (cheapest way I could get a digital tach signal since I was on a tight budget). This worked well, until last night when I suddenly had no-spark. I am going to do some tests with the multi-meter tonight, but unless I get lucky and it's the coil, I'm guessing my MSD module burned out (they have a TERRIBLE reputation for lasting anywhere from 1 day to 3 years, with no real reason why they let go).
So rather than buy a new digital module (just to have it strand me somehwere when it dies) I thought I should probably do it the right way and get an MSD box (or another reputable brand's CDI box) to deliver the digital tach signal. I could get a 6a box and coil off of craigslist for $150 or so (cheapest route), but I see that MSD makes programmable ignition boxes where you can lockout your distributor and have computer controlled timing. I like that!
So are any of you running one of these programmable boxes with computer controlled timing? If so, what brand/model? Are there any cheaper than the MSD ($400) that work well?
I have a feeling it is going to be more expensive than it is worth for me, but if it only costs $100 more than the igntion box I need anyway, it may be worth it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 344
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Doesn't the FAST EFI ECU have the capability to control the timing? My 6t8 is running the MSD 6AL-2 [programmable] to control the timing on my engine to add and subtract timing as the boost pressure changes. The ignition system in my 69 is MSD 6AL [non programmable] with a MSD distributor with a Sniper ECU that is controlling the timing. So if your ECU is capable of timing control you don't need a programmable ignition box. T
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
the most cost-effective programmable ignition would be a used small cap HEI from a mid-90s Chevy V8 damn near anything. 20 bucks on eBay. Sometimes a little more. The idea that makes the most sense is getting this DUI 7 pin module putting it in your existing large-cap HEI and using it as a programmable ignition which is what they ran in the CFI cars and the early TBI Motors. This was actually made by DUI not the cheapy versions. https://www.corvettemods.com/C3-C4-C...0aAiJ0EALw_wcB
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
Doesn't the FAST EFI ECU have the capability to control the timing? My 6t8 is running the MSD 6AL-2 [programmable] to control the timing on my engine to add and subtract timing as the boost pressure changes. The ignition system in my 69 is MSD 6AL [non programmable] with a MSD distributor with a Sniper ECU that is controlling the timing. So if your ECU is capable of timing control you don't need a programmable ignition box. T
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
The best box around for the price would be the Daytona Sensors box. MSD is sketchy now from my own experience and reading on the internet. Daytona Sensors is the guy that designed the old Crane boxes. Look at the comparison of the internals of this box compared to the MSD when you google the Daytona box. Love mine!
