Anybody have any experience with this? does it do anything for performance or is it just junk.

 

It is not junk, but it is not performance either. It is the same a s the factory module. No better, No worse. The factory HEI distributor, properly set-up is about the best ignition you can have for a street car. You can spend more money on other set-ups so you can get a decal, but you won't get any more performance.

 

what about those 40,000 volt coils from accel i think it is. are they any good? or should i just get a recurve kit?

 

MSD makes a module that doesn't look like a re-labeled stock module and i'm convinced it provides a hotter spark.

The module is bigger than stock but bolts right in and no-one knows.

If you go with the MSD make sure you buy an MSD coil. I went through 2 coils before i realized the MSD module was overdriving them and creating toast.





[Modified by turtlevette, 6:56 PM 1/2/2004]

 

Bought one of those for my 82. So, it replaced the stock module after about 19 years. The dynamod lasted 3 years before it gave up instantly. Replaced it with the original a year ago and still going strong. I found NOTHING improved by the Dynamod. Also bought the Live Wires. After about 3 years also, the boots were brittle and hard. And the wires are stock size. Another JOKE.

Now, have Magnacor wires and the best I have ever had. Quality and results abound.

 

went poking around on the MSD website and this looks pretty cool.

I'm thinking about getting one but i haven't checked the price yet.
http://msdignition.com/2004/2004_3.htm

 

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...earchtype=both
its 265 smackers turtlevette.

 

Its not so much that the module gives better spark, but ive been told that the factory module starts to go out at 4,500rpm while the basic aftermarket ones will get around 7000 i htink and some up to and above 9000rpm. I have an accel one in mine because the factory one went out and i was the cheapest one to get and the only one the local speed shop had. I trust Accel, expecially after i found out Lingenfelter did some co-op products with them.

MAtt

 

I have have done dyno tests on every performance module that will fit in an HEI disrtibutor and NOT ONE of them make a difference. As long as you stay with a quality manufacture they are all good, but none of then outperform the others. If you have a bad module and want to replace it with something esle that is fine, but to have a working module and replace it is just a waste of money because you will not find a performance gain.

By design of the HEI ignition curcuit a module can not change the output of the coil. It is simply a tiggering device that tells the coil when and how long to fire the plug. But it can not increase the coils output.

As far as a stock module falling off at 4500 rpm that is not true. I can show you dyno tests of stock delco modules running at 7500 rpm and making good power. I have customers that have won many races with a stock module. I also have customers that have won many races with accel, MSD, dyna mod and other modules. I have no preference which module you use, just don't waste your money replace a good working one.

As far as a coil, with a medium RPM (under 7500) and a medium compression (under 12-1) motor the stock HEI coil is more than adequate and you won't see a power difference with anything esle. A coil will only produce enough spark to bridge the gap of the spark plug. If you only need 10,000 volts to fire a plug it doesn't matter if you have a 20K, 40k or a 100k coil it will only produce the 10k needed to fire the plug. As you increase compression, run extremely rich or extremely lean, have deteriorated or worn spark plugs or have moved to a much higher RPM range you will have a need for more coil output. But as I said before, anything that is run on the street with pump gas will not need any more coil than the stock HEI one. If you have a bad coil that needs to be replaced, buy any one that makes you smile (and you get a decal :lolg: ). But to replace a good working one don't expect a power gain.

Pete



[Modified by Pete79L82, 7:24 AM 1/3/2004]

 

In case some need a second opinion, Pete is right. I realize that sometimes what we say may not make sense to people exposed to so much marketing. You need to realize the job of the ignition system is to ignite the mixture. It is the rapid burning of the mixture that makes the power.
You could light a fire in a metal can w/ a match or a gold Dunhill.
The HEI is an excellent system.

 

alrite so are you guys saying that all the msd boxes and all those 40,000 volt coils are just marketing mumbo jumbo. Wow, their marketing skills are quite impressive because i wanted to buy the whole msd and 40,000 volt coil thing.

 

When you cannot light it off, the ignition system needs to be upgraded.
As the ignition system power is increased, then one must be even more careful of spark plug wire separation.
HEI is perfect for your setup.

Some like Lars still like points- he did a topic on that.

 

MSD is a very good system. I use it almost exclusively on my top of the line race motors. But it is a complete overkill on a street motor. If you want it, get it. But don't expect any performance gains over an HEI on a street motor.

Pete

 

As usual Pete has it right, to which I might add....

I noticed some years ago upon installing a near freebee MSD unit that the engine smoothed out a LOT at idle, I had a Qjet on it....well seems the extra sparks of the MSD is really nice for firing messed up mixtures....but of course they are not present above 3000 rpm/s another thing is those aftermarket ignitions allow for rev limiters these daze, and that certainly is better than lunching the engine for a missed shift or other breakage....

now with DPFI, unless the rev limit function is desired.....it's a TOTAL waste of money...

GENE

 

for me this is enough reason to go with an aftermarket module. Most of the modules look like relabeled stock modules except for the MSD. There is obviously more stuff on that board and the newest unit has a rev limiter. So your car will start easier in the winter and run smoother and you get a rev limiter while maintaining a stock look to the engine. I would imagine it would also help you pass emissions by more throughly burning the mixture. My MSD module smoked an Accell coil and 2 stock coils so i know it is firing hotter.

I'd like to get a full MSD system but i need a stock appearance for racing. :D