MSD box does nothing???

[Tenoch]

The deal is I have a msd box and was planning on using it on my stock 94 sierra k1500 5.7 but just read on a thread that they dont do much, is that so??? please educate me on that... thanks :confused:

[ryan_thompson87]

Unless you have upgrades already done to the motor that necessitate the igntion to be upgraded then nope. Probably make it start real nice though. We put a 6A box on my friends Ford just so we could eliminate the rest of the stock harness and clean the wiring up.

[def1]

On a stock engine it will smooth out the power curve a bit and add a smidget on the top end. Maybe a very slight increase in throttle response. In my experience, tbi's never really start up fast unless it's a warm restart. The further from stock you get, the more noticeable the msd will be. The true bennefit comes when you decide to replace the coil as well and run a wider gap on your plugs. I run mine at a modest 0.055". My tune is currently way off with the new heads so its super rich at idle to keep the higher rpms happy-My point being, that without the msd it idles kinda rough, but the box seems to help quite a bit. My wide gap is an obvious factor in the idle sucking without the box. Rich mixture+close to stock base timing+a wide gap-the msd box= a spark that already struggles to make the jump, now also being drowned by fuel. That is definitely not the bee's knees.

[1.721afr]

Well the def1 has some idea of the benefit of MSD.

Like ryan said, they can show a distinct advantage in starting.

As def1 said, they have great success in dealing with rich mixtures & under 3K rpm flame propagation difficulties.

Do not expect any top-end advantage, that might come with a CD ignition, NOT a MSD.

[04SilveradoMykk]

I am pro MSD boxes, on street vehicles. Just be sure to re-gap the plugs wider to take advantage of the spark.


Do not expect any top-end advantage, that might come with a CD ignition, NOT a MSD.

One in the same, the MSD 6a, 6al & others are capacitive discharge. A magneto however, is far above any MSD

[ragmc]

[QUOTE=04SilveradoMykk;5280838]I am pro MSD boxes, on street vehicles. Just be sure to re-gap the plugs wider to take advantage of the spark.

x2 I found that on a stock engine it tends to run smoother with a msd box and if it runs smoother its running more efficient

[1.721afr]

I am pro MSD boxes, on street vehicles. Just be sure to re-gap the plugs wider to take advantage of the spark.



One in the same, the MSD 6a, 6al & others are capacitive discharge. A magneto however, is far above any MSD

Damn wippn'-snappin'..,kid, yes they are a CD after 3K...just like any other factory electronic unit...how the hell did you dig in my brain to know I was thinking about mags anyway?

[04SilveradoMykk]

...how the hell did you dig in my brain to know I was thinking about mags anyway?

'cause I've been around the block a few times

[1.721afr]

'cause I've been around the block a few times

Admit it, you've been hanging out in the lanes & pits far too close to fuel cars...

[1988 GMC 355]

so say with the mods I have in my sig below plus a MSD box and a gap at .055"-.060" will be worth it esp if I am running a bit rich with my FP and timing bumped up 6*?

[Fast305]

so say with the mods I have in my sig below plus a MSD box and a gap at .055"-.060" will be worth it esp if I am running a bit rich with my FP and timing bumped up 6*?

First thing I noticed was a quicker startup, smoother idle to the point it had me questioning if it was still running at times, improved low-end throttle responsed, and 1 mpg around town.

[1988 GMC 355]

First thing I noticed was a quicker startup, smoother idle to the point it had me questioning if it was still running at times, improved low-end throttle responsed, and 1 mpg around town.
those are all things I would like because mine cranks kind of long at cold starts esp in winter and doesnt idle very smooth in drive, plus some more performance would eb nice and MPG for sure, any hwy gains?

[MKHAYNESAZ]

:stir:Sorry to jump into the middle of this thread but !!!! I am ready to purchase a distrib for my 80 chevy and i was going to go with the 6a box and ditrib .. but i just checked out ebay for magnetos and the are way cheaper. whats the deal are the ok for street use ? they say self contained what does that mean ? and lastly are they better ?

[1.721afr]

No, a mag is not right for your truck.

Mags generate their own power when turned, they need no external battery or alternator, thus self-contained. This lends simplicity & light weight to race cars.

Because of the rising voltage with rpm..mags can deliver huge high rpm spark energy, this is useful to fuel cars (nitro is hard to light). Better for them, not for you.

[MKHAYNESAZ]

ok cool thanks for the info . but they are so much cheaper ..lol .. i was looking at one on ebay that was a replacement for hei ? with msd so expensive there a better alt?