Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

experience with msd 6a

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2002 | 09:41 PM
  #1  
GammaDriver's Avatar
GammaDriver
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 2
From: Southeast FLA
experience with msd 6a

 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2002 | 02:52 AM
  #2  
letti's Avatar
letti
New User
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
experience with msd 6a

first step (stock equipment):
messured sparc current: 9-12 KV
second step (replaced tfi-coil with msd tfi-coil direct replacement):
messured sparc current: 12-15 KV
third step (installed msd 6a under the k&n filter in the mould
where the original air filter was, installation was not really a problem using the ford cable adapter)
messured sparc current: 21 KV

conditions where allways the same (warmed up engine), same
sparc splug cable ...)
only my feeling, not messured:
engine seems to run smoother, a little bit quicker throttle response, slightly pinging when accelerating full throttle has gone.
i dont know if the modifications are worth > 600 U$ but the feeling is good. i would do it again.
greetings

Gert Lettner
Ford Bronco Eddi Bauer 5.0, AC, 1988
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2002 | 09:38 PM
  #3  
94blueford's Avatar
94blueford
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Bristol, CT
experience with msd 6a

Interesting results, I plan to do the same all-around MSD ignition upgrade to my '94 F-250HD with the 5.8L 351W. I want to go a few additional steps though, so I have a few questions for ya. Are you OR did you replace the OEM:

spark plugs with a new set of motorcraft plugs?
spark plug wires with motorsport 8mm+ wires?
distributor cap and rotor with MSD replacment parts?
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2002 | 02:03 AM
  #4  
letti's Avatar
letti
New User
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
experience with msd 6a

- yes i replaced my sparc plugs, but with (nearly original) bosch plugs (because motorcraft or ngk are not easy to get ...).
the main reason was that i didnt know when the previous owner has changed the plugs last time. When changing the plugs you can give them a little wider gap. i saw an older posting thinking about 0.060 ...
- yes, i replaced the wires with the wires you mentioned. i think any type of > 8 mm wire will work except solid core wires.
- unfortunately no. i would like to have the cap and rotor also from msd but there is no money left . maybe i will do this in the future because my truck is arround 108.000 km with the same original rotor.
greetings
Gert Lettner

>Interesting results, I plan to do the same all-around MSD
>ignition upgrade to my '94 F-250HD with the 5.8L 351W. I
>want to go a few additional steps though, so I have a few
>questions for ya. Are you OR did you replace the OEM:
>
>spark plugs with a new set of motorcraft plugs?

>spark plug wires with motorsport 8mm+ wires?
>distributor cap and rotor with MSD replacment parts?
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2002 | 11:35 AM
  #5  
robert56's Avatar
robert56
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
experience with msd 6a

Interesting data regarding the spark current. Thanks. That does seem like an odd place to mount the 6a box though. Don't you have a concern about the bulk of the unit choking the air supply to the filter?

Rob

 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 02:50 AM
  #6  
letti's Avatar
letti
New User
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
experience with msd 6a

no, i believe there is enough room between the K&N and the msd box, over 1 inch. i mounted the msd-box directly to the mould surface, only with a thin piece of rubber between the box and the surface to equalice the grooves.
the more i drive the more i like the msd. next weekend i will play with the spark plug gaps ...
greetings
Gert Lettner

>Interesting data regarding the spark current. Thanks. That
>does seem like an odd place to mount the 6a box though.
>Don't you have a concern about the bulk of the unit choking
>the air supply to the filter?
>
>Rob

 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2002 | 08:53 PM
  #7  
EPNCSU2006's Avatar
EPNCSU2006
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
experience with msd 6a

The msd cap and rotor are actually cheaper than the NAPA echlin parts I bought for my most recent tune up. Best I recall the msd cap was ~$15 and the rotor was ~$5, both from Summit racing, but if that is all you are going to order, it will cost about the same as buying both from NAPA, and from my experience, the NAPA echlin parts perform about the same as the msd, and maybe last longer, I'm not sure.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 12:20 PM
  #8  
E4corporal's Avatar
E4corporal
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines Iowa
experience with msd 6a

works great but does any one have a horse power gain for those combos.
I have msd 8.5 wires, blaster 2 coil, msd 6a, My truck will churp 1 2nd and ounce in a while third now and it is a auto.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 13, 2004 12:08 AM
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 12, 2002 01:38 AM
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jan 14, 2002 09:06 AM
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Mar 11, 2001 10:13 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:02 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE