MSD ignition
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Bucks county Pa
Re: MSD ignition (jmrl98)
I recently posted a similar question about a bunch of ignition mods and was told it wont be a big gain if any. Well its likely im gonna do it anyway. I have never heard a complaint from anyone running MSD, good wires, cap, coil etc. I wont be expecting much but ill take whatever. It cant make it run worse.:smash:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie Md
Re: MSD ignition (jmrl98)
John,
I have a MSD 6AL box myself, in conjunction with my distributor, which I've replaced with MSD parts, in my '86 Vette.
I got mine through TPIS, with the harness.
I believe the MSD box is a must for anyone doing mods, and making their shifts above 5200 RPM's.
This is often overlooked, and it's good you bring it up for the benefit of the forum members.
I have a MSD 6AL box myself, in conjunction with my distributor, which I've replaced with MSD parts, in my '86 Vette.
I got mine through TPIS, with the harness.
I believe the MSD box is a must for anyone doing mods, and making their shifts above 5200 RPM's.
This is often overlooked, and it's good you bring it up for the benefit of the forum members.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
Re: MSD ignition (UDLUV12)
John,
looking through the TIPS catalogue is what gave me the idea. Yet, I'm kind of a rookie still. Did you install yourself? Was it a PITA? I've only done minor mods (relocate MAT,chip, screens, airfoil, open lid, etc.). :cheers:
looking through the TIPS catalogue is what gave me the idea. Yet, I'm kind of a rookie still. Did you install yourself? Was it a PITA? I've only done minor mods (relocate MAT,chip, screens, airfoil, open lid, etc.). :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
From: MO
Re: MSD ignition (jmrl98)
The hardest part about putting am MSD box on is figuring out where you are
going to mount it! After that it is about a 15 minute wire job! Super easy! Make sure to get the wiring harness, it makes it a quick plug in.
As for seeing much of a gain? Very small if any, If you get a 6AL you do get a rev limiter option that you set by plug in chips. It is an ignition rev limiter rather than fuel like our stockers. So you can do away with your stock rev limiter by programming or chip. I haven't done this yet because my car is still stock as far as the motor/cam/heads/etc.
You will definately have plenty of SPARK!
:chevy
going to mount it! After that it is about a 15 minute wire job! Super easy! Make sure to get the wiring harness, it makes it a quick plug in.
As for seeing much of a gain? Very small if any, If you get a 6AL you do get a rev limiter option that you set by plug in chips. It is an ignition rev limiter rather than fuel like our stockers. So you can do away with your stock rev limiter by programming or chip. I haven't done this yet because my car is still stock as far as the motor/cam/heads/etc.
You will definately have plenty of SPARK!
:chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
From: MO
Re: MSD ignition (jmrl98)
John,
I put mine on the firewall where your distributor is. So that won't work on a L98. Some guys on here have put them down in the front underneath the headlight or on the passenger side hood latch area. I'm sure some L98 guys have some pics to give you an idea. :cheers:
I put mine on the firewall where your distributor is. So that won't work on a L98. Some guys on here have put them down in the front underneath the headlight or on the passenger side hood latch area. I'm sure some L98 guys have some pics to give you an idea. :cheers:
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie Md
Re: MSD ignition (James94LT1)
John,
I did not do myself, but had the MSD mounted under my driver's side front headlight.
It makes for an easy install according to my mechanic, who is very familiar with distributors, and Corvette electronics. He said the harness made the install a breeze.
Wish I had a digital camera...I'd take some shots, and post it.
The reason for mounting the box under the driver's side front headlight, was to insure a 'straight' run of the harness from the box to the distributor...securring it (the harness) to the inner wheel well.
I got some 'tubular wire wrap' material from Pep Boys...placed all the wires in it prior to securring to the inside wheel well...to insure a neat install.
I did not do myself, but had the MSD mounted under my driver's side front headlight.
It makes for an easy install according to my mechanic, who is very familiar with distributors, and Corvette electronics. He said the harness made the install a breeze.
Wish I had a digital camera...I'd take some shots, and post it.
The reason for mounting the box under the driver's side front headlight, was to insure a 'straight' run of the harness from the box to the distributor...securring it (the harness) to the inner wheel well.
I got some 'tubular wire wrap' material from Pep Boys...placed all the wires in it prior to securring to the inside wheel well...to insure a neat install.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
Re: MSD ignition (James94LT1)
Thanks a lot Jim and everyone, by viewing all the experience and advice from this site I'm almost ready to try anything - within my limited scope. For example, I don't have the experience to think of something like getting the tach working through modifying the tach filter. But I will give it a try soon, thanks again. John :cheers: :seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
Likes: 1
From: Framingham MA
Re: MSD ignition (James94LT1)
I took my tach filter out, but I am not getting a reading. I was having problems with the tach acting funny over 3000rpm (with just a MSD coil) and removing the tach filter helped it, but when I put in the MSD I lost the tach. It may have been the other way around, it been 2 years since my car was on the road.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: MSD ignition (blk90rdstr)
I have never heard a complaint from anyone running MSD
MSD boxes die easily for some reason. I know LOTS of people that have had to replace theirs, including NASCAR! (i think - was watching speed vision when a car died and had to be towed in, the MSD box had gone out on them :rolleyes:)
I too will probably end up getting one eventually though. I think it will fix the missing i get every once in a while.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 1
From: Springfield VA
Re: MSD ignition (jmrl98)
I've got the MSD 6AL on my 86 but it is rather heavily moded. :) If you decide to get one and put it under the headlight be careful of fit. The vacumn canister makes the driver's side rather tight and if not placed correctly the MSD will keep your headlight from retracting.
While it is a good addition to a heavily modified motor, the oem ignition is more then sufficient for a stock or lightly moded L98.
While it is a good addition to a heavily modified motor, the oem ignition is more then sufficient for a stock or lightly moded L98.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
MSD boxes die easily for some reason. I know LOTS of people that have had to replace theirs, including NASCAR!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
Re: MSD ignition (96LT1)
Thanks for the tip, Mike. Is yours under the driver's side headlight? I was checkin' it out, and it is rather tight with the cannister and everything! :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 50
From: Clayton, NC north carolina
Re: (scorp508)
Scorp I'm on my third box (2 1/2years) its a 6AL if this one dies, I'll buy the new Mallory it's a digital box thats a direct plug in from the 6AL. Oh and mine is behind the drivers headlamp. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: (scorp508)
MSD boxes die easily for some reason. I know LOTS of people that have had to replace theirs, including NASCAR!
Thats a first. So what if a nascar box died? Everything breaks at some point on those things.
Thats a first. So what if a nascar box died? Everything breaks at some point on those things.