C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

MSD ignition

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Old May 24, 2002 | 12:31 AM
  #41  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (ROME)

Actually, the previous owner of my car utilized a type of double-sided sticky strip to mount it on top of the battery. The sticky stuff looks like a long piece of Juicy Fruit gum, and it's just gummy enough to hold things solid without the disadvantage of the MSD becoming permanently affixed to the battery caps. There's plenty of room in that position, with the MSD tucked safely under the hood latch support. It sits solid and doesn't move at all, yet it doesn't pose any problems when its time to service the battery. I've got it mounted square on the back corner of my battery - see the pic.



P.S. - I took that thing off my water pump and hustled it down to the frisbee golf course last weekend for some late night fun :nono: :D
I hope your battery never leaks any gas with all that voltage on top of it :nono:
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Old May 24, 2002 | 01:09 AM
  #42  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (Hi-psi)

This splicing of the tack wire you all are speaking of,....does this just apply to the L98 cars or the LT1 also? The instructions I have don't say anything about having to rewire the tach.
My instructions didn't say anything about it either but I think whenever you run an MSD you have to splice into the white wire on the MSD's harness. I really couldn't tell you why, I'm only familiar with what the MSD does and not how it works. Any electrical gurus out there?
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Old May 24, 2002 | 08:53 PM
  #43  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (jmr302)

Basically you install it as is and if the tach doesn't work, you cut out and bypass the tach filter; this fixes 99% of them. If the tach still doesn't work, you need the MSD tach adapter.

Here's where I mounted my box...




[Modified by gcrouse, 5:54 PM 5/24/2002]
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Old May 24, 2002 | 09:49 PM
  #44  
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Default Re: (jmrl98)

Red-y, not to sound any more stupid than I actually am, but do you mean driver side rear engine compartment?

No you are not stupid, but this is hard to explain. I have it behind the drivers seat against the fender wall inside the car. The adjustment screws are facing forward and easy to access. There just did not seem to be any good place under the hood. Actually I like it where it is mounted, it is not in the way. :seeya
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Old May 24, 2002 | 11:31 PM
  #45  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (gcrouse)

Basically you install it as is and if the tach doesn't work, you cut out and bypass the tach filter; this fixes 99% of them. If the tach still doesn't work, you need the MSD tach adapter.
Where is the "tach filter" located and what is the best way to bypass it? I installed my MSD 6A box this evening and the tach is acting funky. It seems to read fine under about 3000-3200rpm. But if you run the motor up past that it just starts bouncing around.
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Old May 25, 2002 | 02:55 AM
  #46  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (ROME)

Rome,

I will have to investigate that option. You don't by chance know the Hypertech part # on your car? It would be interesting to check out.
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Old May 25, 2002 | 06:13 PM
  #47  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (Hi-psi)

But if you run the motor up past that it just starts bouncing around.
Yep that's a definite sign you need to ditch the tach filter.

You should be able to follow that white wire you spliced from the MSD tach output to the tach filter. It's a cylinder about 5/8" diameter and 1-1/4" long; usually clamped to the firewall somewhere behind the distributor (look near the fuel pump relay). You bypass it by cutting it out of the circuit and splicing the wires together; i.e. the MSD tach output will be running straight to the ECM / cluster.
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Old May 26, 2002 | 02:57 AM
  #48  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (jmrl98)

I have a plain old MSD-6A.
I had it in my wife's GMC Safari for several years,
then in my '96 Chevy pickup for a year, and now the Vette.
I mounted it under the Battery. Mostly for stealth reasons.
I removed the battery mount and cut it so the 6A is pointed up/down
lengthwise. I installed the MSD harness and ran a wire to the plug on the
side of the 6a that says,"TACH".
It works great, but I have to admit, I'm worried about failure.
If I take it out, I'm gonna try to scrape up the $$ for a system from "Jacobs".
I used one of their "UltraCoil" units on a truck and thought it was great.
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Old May 28, 2002 | 08:58 PM
  #49  
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Default Re: MSD ignition (RonRed89)

I don't have a part number, but I have the factory information. The unit is Hypertech's "Street/Strip" unit. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee and can be reached at (901) 382-8888. Good luck :cheers:

ROME
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