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MSD 6al 2 programable with fast ez efi retrofit kit.
I have the fast ez efi kit in my closet and I’m woundering if anyone had used the msd 6al 2 programable to control timing? Also can I lock out the original dizzy or will I need a new one? My Vette is in Kansas till I can figure out how to make everything work.
Last edited by Vettenut1985; 12-23-2018 at 09:25 AM.
I have the fast ez efi kit in my closet and I’m woundering if anyone had used the msd 6al 2 programable to control timing? Also can I lock out the original dizzy or will I need a new one? My Vette is in Kansas till I can figure out how to make everything work.
Just to clarify it’s a 1985 with a bad ecu and damaged wiring harness. The 4 plus 3 has been swapped for a Richmond 6 speed. My hope is that the msd unit will be able to control the timing well enough for street and strip use.
Original Distributor (if it IS original) is already "locked out". Timing was controlled electronically in '85.
I don't think the MSD box controls the timing. The original ECM does, and the FAST EZ EFI should too. The MSD simply takes the "now, now, now" signal from the ECM and controls the coil to fire at the proper time. The MSD 6SL-2 is basically a glorified ignition module.
The 6 al 2 programable can retard timing and give 25 degrees of programable timing from what I’ve read. According to msd you set your initial timing at 30 degrees then the box pulls timing back relative to what rpm you set it at. I’m glad to know the distributor is already locked out though. The reason I have to use something to control timing is because I don’t have the fast 2.0. I tried to step over a dollar to pick up a dime by getting the cheaper unit. If I can use my original distributor and coil than it should still be a lot cheaper than getting the fast ez efi 2.0
Last edited by Vettenut1985; 12-23-2018 at 04:16 PM.
I already have all the stuff for the fuel side of it. If I did carb it I’d be in the same boat since the distributor won’t work rite without the ecu. I would just stab an old hei in it but I want the ability to program with a laptop without spending over 400 bucks to manage the spark. Hopefully someone on here has attempted what I’m trying to do. In theory it should work.
Last edited by Vettenut1985; 12-24-2018 at 09:25 PM.
I already have all the stuff for the fuel side of it. If I did carb it I’d be in the same boat since the distributor won’t work rite without the ecu. I would just stab an old hei in it but I want the ability to program with a laptop without spending over 400 bucks to manage the spark. Hopefully someone on here has attempted what I’m trying to do. In theory it should work.
I have an 85 also - Just get a Heli Distributor . Find a switched 12 volt source, and use it to trip a relay. The relay will feed 12v from the battery to the distributor.
I used a fuel pressure reducing regulator and fed the carb. For the return line I used the factory return line. It's worked flawless for 10 years..
I also have the Richmond 6 speed.
I just pulled the 6AL2 box as it died and switched to a 1980 stock Heli Distributor. I see no difference.
If you go with a Weiand Street Warrior manifold it will should under the hood with a 1" air cleaner. I didn't so I added the Scoop. The Air cleaner sticks into the scoop by 1 inch.
I have an 85 also - Just get a Heli Distributor . Find a switched 12 volt source, and use it to trip a relay. The relay will feed 12v from the battery to the distributor.
I used a fuel pressure reducing regulator and fed the carb. For the return line I used the factory return line. It's worked flawless for 10 years..
I also have the Richmond 6 speed.
I just pulled the 6AL2 box as it died and switched to a 1980 stock Heli Distributor. I see no difference.
If you go with a Weiand Street Warrior manifold it will should under the hood with a 1" air cleaner. I didn't so I added the Scoop. The Air cleaner sticks into the scoop by 1 inch.
Did you use the stock heads? And if so what kind of diffrance did you see over the l98 intake?
I have the fast ez efi kit in my closet and I’m woundering if anyone had used the msd 6al 2 programable to control timing? Also can I lock out the original dizzy or will I need a new one? My Vette is in Kansas till I can figure out how to make everything work.
The system you have dies not control timing as you know. It appears you could use the msd to control timing but I did not study it enough to see if you could build a timing curve based on rpm and vacuum. Another option is to just get a vacuum advance hei and let that run the timing.
I appreciate all the feedback. I’ve had the car for over 5 years but I’m new to being a forum member. Over the years I’ve looked up info on here but I was never a member. Hopefully ile get the white rocket back in working condition soon.
The system you have dies not control timing as you know. It appears you could use the msd to control timing but I did not study it enough to see if you could build a timing curve based on rpm and vacuum. Another option is to just get a vacuum advance hei and let that run the timing.
from what ive seen you can build a timing curve based on rpm and off vacuum with a map sencor. The problem is that you only get 25 degrees to work with. That may be enough but I don’t know what the engine will like yet. Another issue is the stock distributor. Another member mentioned that it’s already locked out since the ecu controls it. The only question I have is weather the ecu electronically advances a mechanical device in the distributor or if it just changes the signal electronically? The reason I need to know is because that will tell me if I can safely use that distributor. From the way the other forum member described it I think there’s no way for the stock dizzy to jump timing. Can anyone educate me a little further on that?
Did you use the stock heads? And if so what kind of diffrance did you see over the l98 intake?
BLUE1972 this is is a little off topic but I started having issues with my synchronizes a couple years ago and my Richmond wasn’t that old. 2nd and 3rd grind a little. Have you had any issues?
Last edited by Vettenut1985; 12-26-2018 at 10:00 AM.
from what ive seen you can build a timing curve based on rpm and off vacuum with a map sencor. The problem is that you only get 25 degrees to work with. That may be enough but I don’t know what the engine will like yet. Another issue is the stock distributor. Another member mentioned that it’s already locked out since the ecu controls it. The only question I have is weather the ecu electronically advances a mechanical device in the distributor or if it just changes the signal electronically? The reason I need to know is because that will tell me if I can safely use that distributor. From the way the other forum member described it I think there’s no way for the stock dizzy to jump timing. Can anyone educate me a little further on that?
25 degrees is enough for a timing curve. Set the base at 20 degrees and that will allow you to get to 45 degrees for better fuel economy and 36 for max power.
The factory distributor is locked out and the ECU varies the timing electronically.
25 degrees is enough for a timing curve. Set the base at 20 degrees and that will allow you to get to 45 degrees for better fuel economy and 36 for max power.
The factory distributor is locked out and the ECU varies the timing electronically.
from what I’ve seen is you set you base timing at what ever your max amount will be. Then the msd unit retards timing. These numbers are not accurate but if I wanted 30 degrees of timing at 5000 rpm than I’d set my initial timing to 30 and the msd box could retard 25 out at low rpms. It gives you a graph on the program for your rpm curve and I guess you use the map sencor and the other curve that’s used for boost but instead you have it adjust for vacuum. I don’t have the msd stuff yet but I think I’m going to order it and see if I can make it work. So far no one has said it cant work, what’s the worst that can happen???
from what I’ve seen is you set you base timing at what ever your max amount will be. Then the msd unit retards timing. These numbers are not accurate but if I wanted 30 degrees of timing at 5000 rpm than I’d set my initial timing to 30 and the msd box could retard 25 out at low rpms. It gives you a graph on the program for your rpm curve and I guess you use the map sencor and the other curve that’s used for boost but instead you have it adjust for vacuum. I don’t have the msd stuff yet but I think I’m going to order it and see if I can make it work. So far no one has said it cant work, what’s the worst that can happen???
if that is the case you could set it at 45 and retard based on rpm and vacuum to achieve mileage and power.
12-23-2018, 09:22 AM
MSD 6al 2 programable with fast ez efi retrofit kit.
