MSD or Pertronix???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,366
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas NV
MSD or Pertronix???
I'm looking at either going with an MSD 6AL or the Pertronix Ignitor II. They're not really the same product (one works with the points the other replaces them) so it's a little difficult to compare the two. I've been reading quite a bit about both systems, but I can't make up my mind which way to go. They both seem like good systems. Anyone have either one, and if so, what do you think? Also, do you have the coils from MSD or Pertronix?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,742
Likes: 843
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Agree with the previous response, if you want the stealth mode go with the Pertronix. Myself, I'm running the entire MSD 6AL system. I was after the hotter spark, tach drive dist and rev limiter ability.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Keep bumping this post to the top. You'll find there are people here with garbage cans full of the Pertronix junk. MSD costs more, but it's high quality stuff.
Dep
Dep
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
www.davessmallbodyheis.com
Send him your distributor and he will rebuild it, recurve it, and install HEI internals. Looks stock and you get a performance upgrade too all for a good price. What more could you need?
-Mark.
Send him your distributor and he will rebuild it, recurve it, and install HEI internals. Looks stock and you get a performance upgrade too all for a good price. What more could you need?
-Mark.
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
I had a Pertronix 2 and it crapped out on me in 2 months. It is not fun changing the guts out of my distributor in a gas station parking lot at night. With the P2 you have to pull the distributor to install/remove the stuff. I now have an MSD setup and could not be happier.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Have had a Pertronix and the Pertronix 11, have had no problems and if I do I carry extra parts, and carry points also. Pretty easy to change out if you run into a problem...Looked at MSD also, didn't feel like mounting the box somewhere, but I know that's a good unit also....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
I have been using the 6AL + Petronix II for 3 seasons now after the engine build. So far they are working great but with all of the problems I have read here about the Petronix units I will likely buy the MSD billet distr. next for ease of mind.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
I've heard of a lot of pertronix failures onthis board over the last 5 years. Maybe a lot of those guys are no longer here? I use a 6a MSD on one car, it's new so don't know how long it will last. I did an informal poll at the July englishtown vette drags and it was about 50-50 on the MSD. Some guys had them fail very early. I think it really depends on where they are mounted. Keep away from heat and moisture.
All that said, I rebuild the original point type distributors, add a 40k coil and use them. They have worked the best for me.
Gary
All that said, I rebuild the original point type distributors, add a 40k coil and use them. They have worked the best for me.
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
I went with the Crane XRi about a year and a half ago. Easy install, and every thing still looks stock. Have not had any problems with the unit. Got it from Summit part # CRN-750-1710 This is the points to electronic ignition converter. $ 64.88.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by 1LE
I went with the Crane XRi about a year and a half ago. Easy install, and every thing still looks stock. Have not had any problems with the unit. Got it from Summit part # CRN-750-1710 This is the points to electronic ignition converter. $ 64.88.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
I've had the Pertronix set up for over 4 years and likely 12000 miles if not more. Also have the Pertronix coil. Nice to keep the tach drive distributor. I've had no trouble at all with it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Heights MN
Pertronix
I had an early Pertronix Lobe Sonsor unit fail. They gave me credit towards purchasing a new Pertronix II which I installed with my original coil and plug wires. It has worked flawlessly for over 3 years on my '69 small block. No complaints here! 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by 68shark
I've had the Pertronix set up for over 4 years and likely 12000 miles if not more. Also have the Pertronix coil. Nice to keep the tach drive distributor. I've had no trouble at all with it.
I've got the ignitor and coil also... Have had no problems for over a year... 
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
I went with the Crane XRi about a year and a half ago. Easy install, and every thing still looks stock. Have not had any problems with the unit.
Very easy to convert back if ever needed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
MSD has performed flawlessly for my family for the last 25 years. We don't carry parts or tools becuase we don't NEED them...
That said, I installed a MSD digital 6 plus, HVC coil, and Pro-Billet dist in the '68. I'm still running a 15 year old MSD unit in the '69 truck.
That said, I installed a MSD digital 6 plus, HVC coil, and Pro-Billet dist in the '68. I'm still running a 15 year old MSD unit in the '69 truck.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
My MSD 6A gave out on my suddenly after five years and about 15,000 miles. I replaced it with another this summer. I'm happy with its performance but question its reliability. I do admit it's overkill on my mostly stock '71 L48, but I have plans...