People with MSD 6 ignitions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
People with MSD 6 ignitions
I'm thinking about buying a MSD 6AL ignition box and a blaster 2 coil to upgrade my ignition system.
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
(Carburator is the original Q-jet with manual choke)
What where your benefits from installing a MSD ignition box?
Any problems with it?
Or is this just something for people that race?
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
(Carburator is the original Q-jet with manual choke)
What where your benefits from installing a MSD ignition box?
Any problems with it?
Or is this just something for people that race?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
It helps in many ways. Easier starting. Better "burn" because it fires 3x below 3000 rpm, my plugs stay super clean, car even sounded a little different afterwards, and it actually idled smoother! You're going from an "inductive" system to a "capacitive discharge" system, so the voltage to the cylinders will remain "hot" throughout the rpm range. Meaning....spark will not drop off as RPM increases (the coil is less and less able to induce a spark as RPM increases with an inductive system). In a word, a great mod that pays off.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
My dad started building high performance engines in the late 60's. Outputs ranged from 350hp to well over 700 (naturally aspirated). Prices topped 20K. He used capacitive discharge systems since the seventies. Even used them on the beater cars.
To me, that says something.
First thing on my list when I started my '68 project was a CD ignition. Settled on a MSD pro-billet distributor, MSD digital-6 plus box, and a MSD HVC coil.
To me, that says something.
First thing on my list when I started my '68 project was a CD ignition. Settled on a MSD pro-billet distributor, MSD digital-6 plus box, and a MSD HVC coil.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
The MSD igintion is a great mod. However you probably don't need the 6AL. (Unless you really want to be able to tell people you have a rev limiter.) Save yourself $50 or so and just get the 6A--it's all you need for regular street driving.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Thanks for your answers guys, the MSD will definitly be my next mod.
And yes, I'll skip the 6AL and just buy the 6A, the car is an automatic and I won't be running it on the strip.
And yes, I'll skip the 6AL and just buy the 6A, the car is an automatic and I won't be running it on the strip.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Originally Posted by 72Shark
It helps in many ways. Easier starting. Better "burn" because it fires 3x below 3000 rpm, my plugs stay super clean, car even sounded a little different afterwards, and it actually idled smoother! You're going from an "inductive" system to a "capacitive discharge" system, so the voltage to the cylinders will remain "hot" throughout the rpm range. Meaning....spark will not drop off as RPM increases (the coil is less and less able to induce a spark as RPM increases with an inductive system). In a word, a great mod that pays off.
Don't get crazy with the plug gap tho
MSD says you can have a wide gap, but it will stress the rest of the system (plug wires, cap/rotor) Keep it under .040".One of the better mods I have done to my car.
I decided on the MSD 6T because it was on sale & it allowed me to add a rev limiter later. Not sure if they still make that model.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by Larsson
I'm thinking about buying a MSD 6AL ignition box and a blaster 2 coil to upgrade my ignition system.
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
(Carburator is the original Q-jet with manual choke)
What where your benefits from installing a MSD ignition box?
Any problems with it?
Or is this just something for people that race?
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
(Carburator is the original Q-jet with manual choke)
What where your benefits from installing a MSD ignition box?
Any problems with it?
Or is this just something for people that race?
Now here's a disadvantage to a CD box (MSD 6, Crane, Mallory etc) ... if a CD box fails you will not find anyone near you who can fix it ... period. They are rather reliable but they can & do fail.
I have a MSD 6TN box & Blaster Hi-Vibe coil on our circle track car (race only) and my 71 vette has a MSD 6600 HVC box & 8250 HVC coil ... my 71 also has a spare plain-jane HEI distributor tucked away in the rear compartment for that day when the box fails.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Originally Posted by Larsson
I'm thinking about buying a MSD 6AL ignition box and a blaster 2 coil to upgrade my ignition system.
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
(Carburator is the original Q-jet with manual choke)
What where your benefits from installing a MSD ignition box?
Any problems with it?
Or is this just something for people that race?
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
(Carburator is the original Q-jet with manual choke)
What where your benefits from installing a MSD ignition box?
Any problems with it?
Or is this just something for people that race?
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
[QUOTE=Larsson]I'm thinking about buying a MSD 6AL ignition box and a blaster 2 coil to upgrade my ignition system.
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
Save your money. If it's not starting easily you've probably got other issues to clean up first, whether it's poor carburetion or whatever breakerless system your distributor was converted to. Stick with a GM electronic inductive system (It can be retrofitted to earlier Corvettes, I've done several). There's generally more spark energy in an inductive system than most capacitive systems (multiple CD strikes are usually needed to compensate for extremely short spark times), and GM HEI modules are designed to compensate for RPM (with variable dwell timing), so there's no loss of kV capability up to most redlines. I'm running my (original distributor) conversion on my 427 and it's "smooth sailing".
Good luck!
I think my distributor is the original for the '72 but converted to breakerless.
My problem is that my '72 350 is a pain to start, thought that a stronger ignition might help that.
Save your money. If it's not starting easily you've probably got other issues to clean up first, whether it's poor carburetion or whatever breakerless system your distributor was converted to. Stick with a GM electronic inductive system (It can be retrofitted to earlier Corvettes, I've done several). There's generally more spark energy in an inductive system than most capacitive systems (multiple CD strikes are usually needed to compensate for extremely short spark times), and GM HEI modules are designed to compensate for RPM (with variable dwell timing), so there's no loss of kV capability up to most redlines. I'm running my (original distributor) conversion on my 427 and it's "smooth sailing".
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Originally Posted by CGGorman
My dad started building high performance engines in the late 60's. Outputs ranged from 350hp to well over 700 (naturally aspirated). Prices topped 20K. He used capacitive discharge systems since the seventies. Even used them on the beater cars.
To me, that says something.
First thing on my list when I started my '68 project was a CD ignition. Settled on a MSD pro-billet distributor, MSD digital-6 plus box, and a MSD HVC coil.
To me, that says something.
First thing on my list when I started my '68 project was a CD ignition. Settled on a MSD pro-billet distributor, MSD digital-6 plus box, and a MSD HVC coil.
