MSD coils still junk?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 23
From: Minnesota
MSD coils still junk?
I know that the original MSD coils for the LS1 had some problems but my understanding is that MSD has since revised the design. Does anyone know if they have improved the reliability of these coils?
Yes, I know that the stock coils are pretty good, but these look awesome and I have the $ to spend.
OLD DESIGN: #8245
NEW DESIGN: #8285 - released in 2013
Has anyone running the 8285s had any trouble with them? If so, were you also running the upgraded coil harness offered by MSD?
Yes, I know that the stock coils are pretty good, but these look awesome and I have the $ to spend.
OLD DESIGN: #8245
NEW DESIGN: #8285 - released in 2013
Has anyone running the 8285s had any trouble with them? If so, were you also running the upgraded coil harness offered by MSD?
Last edited by reactor2; Feb 17, 2015 at 09:28 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 27
From: Torrance Calif
I know that the original MSD coils for the LS1 had some problems but my understanding is that MSD has since revised the design. Does anyone know if they have improved the reliability of these coils?
Yes, I know that the stock coils are pretty good, but these look awesome and I have the $ to spend.
Yes, I know that the stock coils are pretty good, but these look awesome and I have the $ to spend.
Multiple failures from poor manufacturing/parts.
I had an initial 40% defective rate and a 90% defective rate of the replacements.
The coils became intermittent when hot (under the hood heat).
MSD would not warranty the replacements so I sold the whole set.
Last edited by heavymetals; Feb 7, 2015 at 03:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 23
From: Minnesota
I would NOT buy their junk again, and even MSD didn't stand behind it (and the replacements of which I had several!).
Multiple failures from poor manufacturing/parts.
I had an initial 40% defective rate and a 90% defective rate of the replacements.
MSD would not warranty the replacements so I sold the whole set.
Multiple failures from poor manufacturing/parts.
I had an initial 40% defective rate and a 90% defective rate of the replacements.
MSD would not warranty the replacements so I sold the whole set.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 27
From: Torrance Calif
They were, I haven't read anything from MSD where they admit the earlier problems, nor do they offer any kind of trade in for the early versions (they have date codes on them so they can track them).
PURE JUNK and horrible customer service.
PURE JUNK and horrible customer service.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 27
From: Torrance Calif
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Schieding Connecticut
MSD Coils
This past year two others went out.
I called MSD and expressed my displeasure with their "junk" coils.
Much to my surprise they replaced my out of warranty coils for free with their "new improved" design.They fully acknowledged the problem and made it right.
So far, so good.
JS
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I had the EXACT same type problem as heavymetals did, several years ago. Their crap cost me a lot of money!
Horrible customer service also! MSD can go pound sand. I will never recommend ANY MSD "product" to anyone, EVER.
Horrible customer service also! MSD can go pound sand. I will never recommend ANY MSD "product" to anyone, EVER.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 23
From: Minnesota
I'm going to have to call MSD and see if I can get a straight answer out of them. It sounds like they were knowingly trying to screw the customer. That alone makes me want to walk away and never look back. It's just that the coils, if the specs are real, are superior to the stock coils and may allow me to gap my plugs wider for my supercharged application. Additionally, I'm hoping the multiple Sparks at idle speeds will help my cammed motor run a little smoother. Plus they look awesome.
If they can be honest about their failure rate of the new design, and it's extremely low, I just may give them a chance.
If they can be honest about their failure rate of the new design, and it's extremely low, I just may give them a chance.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 97
From: Castro Valley State of Insanity
I am a former NHRA drag racer who has used MSD products since the company began. Probably 35 years of trouble free performance from distributors, coils, timing computers, ignition boxes, crank triggers, etc., you get the picture.
That being said, if your stock coils are providing complete combustion, installing replacements will lighten your wallet, perhaps brighten up your engine compartment, and do absolutely nothing for your cars performance.
SNAKEOIL
That being said, if your stock coils are providing complete combustion, installing replacements will lighten your wallet, perhaps brighten up your engine compartment, and do absolutely nothing for your cars performance.
SNAKEOIL
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 23
From: Minnesota
I am a former NHRA drag racer who has used MSD products since the company began. Probably 35 years of trouble free performance from distributors, coils, timing computers, ignition boxes, crank triggers, etc., you get the picture.
That being said, if your stock coils are providing complete combustion, installing replacements will lighten your wallet, perhaps brighten up your engine compartment, and do absolutely nothing for your cars performance.
SNAKEOIL
That being said, if your stock coils are providing complete combustion, installing replacements will lighten your wallet, perhaps brighten up your engine compartment, and do absolutely nothing for your cars performance.
SNAKEOIL
I'm gapped at about .03" to keep the supercharger from blowing out the flame and at idle I'm burning a little rich. I don't like gapping the plugs like that and getting my big stalled, big cammed setup idling the way I want has been a little challenging. I'd like these coils to help (not solve) with these issues.
Plus, like I said, I like the way the look and I do have $ to burn. I just don't want to drop the $ if they are complete junk.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 99
From: Arlington Texas
The gm truck coils are supposed to be stronger than the car coils if you think you need something. The gm coils are very good and no one has made an aftermarket one that is better. The import world even uses the gm factory coils as upgrades. High horsepower supra's 1000+, use the gm coils. Those cars are running a lot more boost/psi than you are and not having spark problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you're looking for a higher performance coil, look up Davis Unified Ignition, I think from Memphis, TN. They are supposed to make good products and they do have hi-perf coils.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 23
From: Minnesota
It sounds like the original design of the MSD LS1 coils are complete junk, which makes me wonder why they 1) put them on the market and 2) didn't pull them after they were confirmed to be complete junk. I don't have much respect for MSD.
However, is anyone running the new design (I don't know how to tell old design vs new design), perhaps purchased in the last couple of years and are NOT having trouble with them?
However, is anyone running the new design (I don't know how to tell old design vs new design), perhaps purchased in the last couple of years and are NOT having trouble with them?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I gotta say, I don't get it. You have 10 replies, in order they state:
-Junk
-Junk
-Reinforce, they are junk
-Bad, junk
-Crap
-No need recommendation, but likes MSD
-Garbage
-No need recommendation
-Other brand recommended
-Trash
Then you say you have no respect for them. Yet, you're still wondering if people have used their newer coils (in other words, you still want to try them).
Assuming you're he11bent on using MSD coils, just buy a set and tell others here the results.
-Junk
-Junk
-Reinforce, they are junk
-Bad, junk
-Crap
-No need recommendation, but likes MSD
-Garbage
-No need recommendation
-Other brand recommended
-Trash
Then you say you have no respect for them. Yet, you're still wondering if people have used their newer coils (in other words, you still want to try them).
Assuming you're he11bent on using MSD coils, just buy a set and tell others here the results.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I gotta say, I don't get it. You have 10 replies, in order they state:
-Junk
-Junk
-Reinforce, they are junk
-Bad, junk
-Crap
-No need recommendation, but likes MSD
-Garbage
-No need recommendation
-Other brand recommended
-Trash
Then you say you have no respect for them. Yet, you're still wondering if people have used their newer coils (in other words, you still want to try them).
Assuming you're he11bent on using MSD coils, just buy a set and tell others here the results.
-Junk
-Junk
-Reinforce, they are junk
-Bad, junk
-Crap
-No need recommendation, but likes MSD
-Garbage
-No need recommendation
-Other brand recommended
-Trash
Then you say you have no respect for them. Yet, you're still wondering if people have used their newer coils (in other words, you still want to try them).
Assuming you're he11bent on using MSD coils, just buy a set and tell others here the results.
"I know that ho is likely to give me the clap, but I just can't help myself!"
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 23
From: Minnesota
I gotta say, I don't get it. You have 10 replies, in order they state:
-Junk
-Junk
-Reinforce, they are junk
-Bad, junk
-Crap
-No need recommendation, but likes MSD
-Garbage
-No need recommendation
-Other brand recommended
-Trash
Then you say you have no respect for them. Yet, you're still wondering if people have used their newer coils (in other words, you still want to try them).
Assuming you're he11bent on using MSD coils, just buy a set and tell others here the results.
-Junk
-Junk
-Reinforce, they are junk
-Bad, junk
-Crap
-No need recommendation, but likes MSD
-Garbage
-No need recommendation
-Other brand recommended
-Trash
Then you say you have no respect for them. Yet, you're still wondering if people have used their newer coils (in other words, you still want to try them).
Assuming you're he11bent on using MSD coils, just buy a set and tell others here the results.