Hey guys, any one installed a MSD Digital 6AL on a C4 (not ZR1)? Where did you place it?

 

I mounted mine above the break booster on a little shelf.

I've also got a 6A for sale (not sure if you need the L) if you're interested. I'd let it go cheap cause I need it gone

 

I made a bracket and mounted my 6AL ( not digital ) behind the battery.

 

To do what? Give you more spark that you probably won't see any difference except on the SOTP dyno?

 

This is my Digital 6AL in the glovebox.

 

Actually the 2 step is valuable at the strip and can be adjusted in seconds in 100 rpm increments with no rpm pill. Same with the rev limiter. The stronger, multiple sparks also helps provide a cleaner burn.

 

How modified do you think I'd need to be to see appreciable gain on mostly street use?

 

 

The only stock pieces remaining of my engine now are the fuel rails, oil cooler, oil pan and distributor. Has a new 4 bolt block, new cam and full roller valve train, heads, induction, upgraded fuel pump, larger injectors etc,etc. The MSD should complement all the other stuff. Certainly don't think it will hurt anything.

 

I was looking in the engine bay today and figured it would take some creativity to get it mounted . Not a lot of open space in there!

 

With my 383 making 420 RWHP,, any gains? Power or mpg? I did change the distributor to an MSD 8366 with a remote coil to accommodate the HSR Intake

 

Hi GUYS ! I have probably installed more CDI's (Jacobs, Crane, MSD, etc,) than anybody else on the face of this earth ! Put that on my gravestone please.
If your ride is not "mis-firing" then no real gain from installing a CDI system regardless of brand etc. CDI stands for Capacitive Discharge Ignition. Simply put the CDI system has an internal power supply (DC to DC) like a high power stereo amp that raises the 12vdc to about 400vdc. With the 400 vdc you can fully charge the spark coil very quickly. This becomes much more critical on a V8 (than say a 4 banger) because there is less time to charge the spark coil. At 6K engine revs there are 10ms/rev. Not much time to charge the coil when "the points close" and at 400 vdc a lot easier to do than at BATTERY voltage of 12vdc.

I've run out of patience and thus will cut this short. If you are going to install an MSD I recommend the Marine unit or MSD-6M. Fully potted and does not care where you install it. I have installed hundreds of them (the fully potted) in the headlamp cavity - right or left. In fact they run fine under water ! Also the MSD-6M is analog - I personally do not like the digital units - do not ask me why !!!

You will only most likely need a CDI system when you exceed 6K engine revs with a blower and/or water-alcohol injection and/or if you open the plug gap beyond .030".

 

I'll try remember that. LOL

THAT is very helpful

 

OP, what ever MSD box you purchase, even marine, make sure the side plug is pointed DOWN. THAT lesson cost me $1k for the second unit that filled with water. mounting the box under and slightly to the side of the headlight bucket will get water poured right on top box EVERY time it rains or washed and the hood is raised. After I cut the second box out I could not tell ANY DIFFERENCE in the performance of my LT4.

 

We have spoke about this before. I live in an area where we have to do emission testing. The 454 in my 1991 K2500HD is not the cleanest burning engine. With an MSD 6A box installed, I was getting 2 to 3 mpg better, the truck ran better pulling a horse trailer and it checked cleaner at the emissions test. This was a sniffer test where they stuck the probe up the tailpipe. Had to do it every other year to get my plates. In the beginning they even made us pay for it (now it is free but still mandatory). At least we don't have it as bad as they do in California, but if you have a check engine light, no cats, etc. No plates.

This was a scientific test actually as you could see the differences in the emissions the engine was producing due to the more complete combustion. You could even tell when I disconnected it. The engine didn't feel as lively.

Does it magically double your HP or add 50 mpg no. Does it run better and cleaner ? Yes.

 

"THAT lesson cost me $1k for the second unit that filled with water. mounting the box under and slightly to the side of the headlight bucket will get water poured right on top box EVERY time it rains or washed and the hood is raised. "


I looked at that spot and pretty quickly rejected it for the reasons you mention. Thanks for the verification.