Well, I finally hauled off and bought an MSD ignition, distributor cap and coil. I got it from Summit Racing and had the things in about a day. Ordered it yesterday morning, had it this afternoon! Fast!! It seems to me that MSD has a little bit of an edge on this board over Jacobs, and I haven't seen anything about Accel. Hope you guys are right! I'll post after it's installed and hauling a little more *** (hopefully).

Next on the list... K&N Air Injection Kit...

Thanks for the info, suggestions, etc., everyone
Chuck

 

Now that was a snap! It only took about 2 hours to replace the cap, install the ignition unit, replace the coil AND install new Bosch Platinum 4 plugs. 9mm wires are only a couple months old. If only everything was that easy. Noticeable difference in mid-range, especially pulling uphill. Anyone need a coil?

Chuck

 

"Well, I finally hauled off and bought an MSD ignition, distributor cap and coil."

i've been thinking about upgrading my ignition systems in both my car and truck.

anyway, i haven't yet looked deeply into it, so my question is, How much did the ignition, distributor cap and coil cost you, if you don't mind me asking?

 

The MSD was the cheapest of the units I looked at, and the one-size-fits-all Blaster (cheeeep upgrade at $75), cap ($13), coil ($45), and a connecting harness ($15) for the Ford coil was $156 from Summit racing, including handling. Of course, the ignitions go up to $300 or more, but that's a little out of my league. The harness isn't required, but it makes an easier, cleaner looking installation. All you need is a few zip-ties, electrical tape and some wire cutters! Hope this helps!

Chuck

 

Chuck,
If you spend very much time in a dusty environment I would hold off on the K&N. I bough one and was happy with it for a good while. One day I took it out to clean it and there was dirt in te intake! First thing I checked was the seal around the filter, it was good. I looked for holes in the filter also good. I cleaned the filter and put it back in, checking it periodicly, all was good. I took it out later after driving through misty rain for most of a month. There was mud in the intake this time. I was livid. I put a paper filter back in and have been using one ever since. No more problem. A friend that works for a quick lube place told me he had seen the same thing with other K&Ns. I myself work on a farm and all our tractors use paper elements. They spend all day in severe dusty conditions. We clean our filters daily and replace them yearly. After 10,000 hours of service the motors get a rebuuild. I have yet to se one leak dirt into the motor. I would ask around and check with other K&N owners first and think real hard about laying out your hard earned cash for something that might dammage your motor. My K&N cost me alot $50 fot the filter, and who knows howmuch life it took off my engine.

Steve

 

thanks for the warning! My brother had a k&n on his old VW scirocco for a while before he sold it, but he never had any problems.... It seems like the drop-in replacement might have problems because it still sucks air thru the original intake opening at the top of the grille, while the kit relocates the intake. I'm not planning on being in dirt too much, but you never know! An ounce of prevention is worth.. well, a couple grand for a rebuild if dirt gets in your engine!!

thanks!
Chuck

 

Question for SPLabar: Were you operating your K&N in a dusty environment? They recommend shorter service interval for dusty environment as well as reoiling (or whatever that red gunk is they put on them) between cleanings. I bought a drop in filter for my F150 300 inch six, which I drive only on the street. I would think these filters are fairly reliable or they wouldn't still be in business after 30 years.