MSD Ultra 6AL Plus Ignition Box
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 24
Likes: 14
From: Columbia, Missouri
MSD Ultra 6AL Plus Ignition Box
Does anyone here have experience; good, bad or otherwise with an MSD Ultra 6AL Plus ignition box? There are several less than stellar reviews on Summit's website from a year ago, I'm hoping that MSD has rectified those issues by now. My mechanic, @wolfk has recommended I use one, and I will in a heartbeat if MSD has fixed the issues with them. My past experience with MSD boxes in the tractor pulling world is "Don't leave home without a spare".
I am planning to go on Hot Rod Power Tour this summer with a friend from work. He is already giving me crap about having to use his Ford to pull my Chevrolet if the MSD dies.
I am planning to go on Hot Rod Power Tour this summer with a friend from work. He is already giving me crap about having to use his Ford to pull my Chevrolet if the MSD dies.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 553
Does anyone here have experience; good, bad or otherwise with an MSD Ultra 6AL Plus ignition box? There are several less than stellar reviews on Summit's website from a year ago, I'm hoping that MSD has rectified those issues by now. My mechanic, @wolfk has recommended I use one, and I will in a heartbeat if MSD has fixed the issues with them. My past experience with MSD boxes in the tractor pulling world is "Don't leave home without a spare".
I am planning to go on Hot Rod Power Tour this summer with a friend from work. He is already giving me crap about having to use his Ford to pull my Chevrolet if the MSD dies.
I am planning to go on Hot Rod Power Tour this summer with a friend from work. He is already giving me crap about having to use his Ford to pull my Chevrolet if the MSD dies.
Last edited by Rebelyell; Jan 18, 2026 at 10:20 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,720
Likes: 1,625
From: Fairfax Virginia
I have been using MSD boxes and components for over 34 years and have only had them fail when I play with them out of the car. I use one today with my Stealth Sniper and it has been there for many, many years.
MSD Ignition coils are another thing, they have been failing like crazy on my C3. The solution according to MSD is to buy a more expensive ignition coil and mount it on the firewall to avoid heat and vibration. It turns out that my spark plug gap was too wide and this was taxing the ignition coils causing them to wear out prematurely.
With the success of the MSD company I would imagine that it brings out the competition who makes look alike boxes to sell under the MSD name.
MSD Ignition coils are another thing, they have been failing like crazy on my C3. The solution according to MSD is to buy a more expensive ignition coil and mount it on the firewall to avoid heat and vibration. It turns out that my spark plug gap was too wide and this was taxing the ignition coils causing them to wear out prematurely.
With the success of the MSD company I would imagine that it brings out the competition who makes look alike boxes to sell under the MSD name.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,210
Likes: 987
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I am using the Daytona Sensors CD-1 box. Love it and great reviews. Had an MSD box fail. There is a picture in Internet land of the insides of MSD, Daytona Sensors and another popular box's insides. When you see that picture there is only one choice lol.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 1,356
I've had an MSD 6a (non digital) for 30+ years. I also had one on my 1990 Ford Bronco.
Never had a problem.
I've seen those reviews on digital boxes also. Not sure what I'm going to do when my old box fails????
Never had a problem.
I've seen those reviews on digital boxes also. Not sure what I'm going to do when my old box fails????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 382
From: Leland , North Carolina
Does anyone here have experience; good, bad or otherwise with an MSD Ultra 6AL Plus ignition box? There are several less than stellar reviews on Summit's website from a year ago, I'm hoping that MSD has rectified those issues by now. My mechanic, @wolfk has recommended I use one, and I will in a heartbeat if MSD has fixed the issues with them. My past experience with MSD boxes in the tractor pulling world is "Don't leave home without a spare".
I am planning to go on Hot Rod Power Tour this summer with a friend from work. He is already giving me crap about having to use his Ford to pull my Chevrolet if the MSD dies.
I am planning to go on Hot Rod Power Tour this summer with a friend from work. He is already giving me crap about having to use his Ford to pull my Chevrolet if the MSD dies.
Last edited by TommyFox; Jan 18, 2026 at 12:53 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 382
From: Leland , North Carolina
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,353
Likes: 1,054
From: Virginia USA
Ran a analog 6AL box for years without any issues. Just installed a digital 6AL as it plays better with the Sniper 2. No issues at all. I have replaced my MSD coil once a long time ago but that's it. I've since moved the coil from the intake location to the firewall but it sat on the intake for years without issues. So I have an old school MSD box and a fairly new one that's about a year or so old. No issues.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,353
Likes: 1,054
From: Virginia USA
My old MSD analog box is sitting on the shelf. I'll never get rid of it. What I should do is get the plug the new ones come with and pin my old box out just in case my new one fails and I can just "plug and play". Damn, you just made another project for my list.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 237
Likes: 110
From: Augusta Mo
The neat thing about the Ultra Plus is that the timing curve is controlled by the box and is totally customizable with a phone app. Uses a MAP sensor. The distributor advance mechanism is locked out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 382
From: Leland , North Carolina
I Just went with the Ultra. It has a phone app too but I could not get it paired with my phone. I called MSD and they said it operates like the standard box anyway which is what I wanted.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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I use the Digital 6AL and have it mounted behind my dash...works great, no issues