Questions about MSD 6AL2
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Questions about MSD 6AL2
Hey guys, I am looking into purchasing an MSD 6AL2 ignition box for my 1985 Corvette. Just a few questions about this.
- Where can I put the box? I want it hidden.
- How exactly do I wire it up?
- What is a good ignition coil to go with it? I had an MSD HEI, but sent it back because it caused problems with the digital dash and the tachometer.
- What other benefits do I get from the ignition box other than the rev limiters?
Thanks!
- Where can I put the box? I want it hidden.
- How exactly do I wire it up?
- What is a good ignition coil to go with it? I had an MSD HEI, but sent it back because it caused problems with the digital dash and the tachometer.
- What other benefits do I get from the ignition box other than the rev limiters?
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Hey guys, I am looking into purchasing an MSD 6AL2 ignition box for my 1985 Corvette. Just a few questions about this.
- Where can I put the box? I want it hidden.
- How exactly do I wire it up?
- What is a good ignition coil to go with it? I had an MSD HEI, but sent it back because it caused problems with the digital dash and the tachometer.
- What other benefits do I get from the ignition box other than the rev limiters?
Thanks!
- Where can I put the box? I want it hidden.
- How exactly do I wire it up?
- What is a good ignition coil to go with it? I had an MSD HEI, but sent it back because it caused problems with the digital dash and the tachometer.
- What other benefits do I get from the ignition box other than the rev limiters?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Believe it or not coils have a ideal rpm range, a blaster 2 is more of a idle too 4000rpm coil,(great for a driver). Though many use a blaster 2(oil cooled coil) with a msd box, they are better suited with a E-core style coil. 383vette may be better suited using a coil like one of the Mallory E series(e-core) that is faster and is good to around 6500rpm. I know my C3 lives between 3500-6000 in the quarter mile. Still even E-core coils have diff rpm ranges, only way to know is to try them all and that's why I went with a Mallory coil at least they put a rpm range rating on their coils.
I once herd about a dyno test between a blaster 2 and SS coil the 2 made better low end hp while the SS beat It above 3500. MSD recommends the SS with the 6 series boxes I am pretty sure, but I also have herd too of too many failures of that coil.
Other benefits of a msd box are faster, hotter and below 3000 multi-spark to ensure it fires even if rich.
edit: Well faster isn't the best way too say it, shorter more intense spark.
I once herd about a dyno test between a blaster 2 and SS coil the 2 made better low end hp while the SS beat It above 3500. MSD recommends the SS with the 6 series boxes I am pretty sure, but I also have herd too of too many failures of that coil.
Other benefits of a msd box are faster, hotter and below 3000 multi-spark to ensure it fires even if rich.
edit: Well faster isn't the best way too say it, shorter more intense spark.
Last edited by BOOT77; Mar 7, 2014 at 01:27 PM. Reason: dirrrrrrr
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
i mounted a msd6 box in the left forward portion of the engine compartment next to the radiator. concealed the wires in the wire loom. also used a davis unified ignition coil in cap which is comparable to an external coil.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Much of a stock tpi starts too fall off around then ignition, valvetrain, airflow. I addressed all three on my last tpi car and it would pull too 6000 rpm np with stock runners and base.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
383vette may be better suited using a coil like one of the Mallory E series(e-core) that is faster and is good to around 6500rpm. I know my C3 lives between 3500-6000 in the quarter mile. Still even E-core coils have diff rpm ranges, only way to know is to try them all and that's why I went with a Mallory coil at least they put a rpm range rating on their coils.
I once herd about a dyno test between a blaster 2 and SS coil the 2 made better low end hp while the SS beat It above 3500. MSD recommends the SS with the 6 series boxes I am pretty sure, but I also have herd too of too many failures of that coil.
I once herd about a dyno test between a blaster 2 and SS coil the 2 made better low end hp while the SS beat It above 3500. MSD recommends the SS with the 6 series boxes I am pretty sure, but I also have herd too of too many failures of that coil.
MSD also makes a Blaster 2 for stock ignitions.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
I'm mainly concerned about what coil I need and where I can put the box. I don't want it visible if I am going to mount it in the passenger compartment, under the hood it doesn't matter to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
I don't trust anything msd recommends these days and have gotten mixed answers from diff techs.
I got into an argument with one about how, he told me I couldn't lock out the mechanical advance and have the vacuum advance still work. I had too send him a video too prove it. It wasn't even my question and by the time I proved too him I was right, I had figured it my real question out on my own. Pretty sure the so called techs are low paid interns if they are even that.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/ignition_coil_tech/
I got into an argument with one about how, he told me I couldn't lock out the mechanical advance and have the vacuum advance still work. I had too send him a video too prove it. It wasn't even my question and by the time I proved too him I was right, I had figured it my real question out on my own. Pretty sure the so called techs are low paid interns if they are even that.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/ignition_coil_tech/