MSD ignition boxes
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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MSD ignition boxes
I see in my MSD catalog that they have a Duraspark module that has a built in timing adjuster that you can mount on your dash. Does anybody know anything about these? Does it have the multiple spark discharge? I cant decide if I want one of these or a 6 series box. Any ideas?
Dave
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Dave
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
MSD ignition boxes
I haven't run with the dash mounted timing adjuster box myself, but I've heard from one fellow who liked his. I do run with the MSD 6 box, and have used it on several applications. I absolutly love it and would recomend it without hesitation. Many tests and reviews have been done on these ignition boxes, and the MSD unit always comes out on top.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: New England
MSD ignition boxes
it fires for 20 degrees of crank rotation, but it is a little weaker than the 6al or msd 6, I have been considering this unit too ** be sure you check to see if your module has a brown or blue wire connector, I belive if it is brown , you cannot use this unit
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77'FORD F150 XLT 400
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77'FORD F150 XLT 400
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Senior User
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MSD ignition boxes
Do you mean the little plastic grommet on the factory module? Mine is a NAPA replacement, and Im not sure what color it is, i think its just black. Right now Im leaning towards the one with the adjustable timing, because I think that will help me a lot for towing, and I dont think the 6 is going to offer THAT much more performance. but then again, the 6 is cheaper.
Dave
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Dave
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: New England
MSD ignition boxes
The ignition module will have a plug that goes in , with about 6-8 wires.the plastic piece that holds the plug to the module is going to be brown or blue. Brown-cannot use the timing controller, blue-Will work
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77'FORD F150 XLT 400
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77'FORD F150 XLT 400
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
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From: Northern California
MSD ignition boxes
I just found some info on the Crane setup, they offer a built in rev-limiter that starts at 600 and is adjusted with a screwdriver. They claim theirs puts out more spark, but I don't know if that's true or not. But they say it is a multi-spark type with 20 deg firing, and it's about $149
The reason I've been looking at this one is that if you mount it inside the cab, you can turn the rev-limiter to 1000 and that would make it hard to steel, so it could act as a good security setup and most others require a chip change or module change.
The reason I've been looking at this one is that if you mount it inside the cab, you can turn the rev-limiter to 1000 and that would make it hard to steel, so it could act as a good security setup and most others require a chip change or module change.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: North Idaho
MSD ignition boxes
I am in the same exact dilemma as you are Dave. I cannot figure out wich unit I want. I like the 6al because of the rev-limiter. But I also like the adjustable timing one for my excursions in the mountains. I have been stuck twice in the mountains because of denotaion. That's my theory. I may be wrong on that though. One was at about 6000 feet and the other was at about 4000 feet. I had to turn it around and scream down the mountain because it would not run! Now I am afraid to go back up the mountain. I wish the adjustable timing unit had a rev controler built into it but it don't. Does anybody know why my motor bogs down when I am in the mountains? Is it denotation? I don't tow. I simply am either on the highway with my truck or up in the mountains. I am racking my brains over this decision. And I need to make up my mind real soon! Can anyone help me answer my questions? I like having choices, but they are driving me nuts!
Thanks a bunch to anyone who can make up my mind!!
Jake
Thanks a bunch to anyone who can make up my mind!!
Jake
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
MSD ignition boxes
I don't know what carb your running, but at 6000 ft. that elevation will affect your carburator, specifically your fuel/air mixture. I think (may be wrong) that it also can effect optimum timing as well. All you would need to do to play up high would be to adjust your mixture (piece of cake, at least on my Holley), and loosen up the one bolt on your dist. clamp and retard it a bit. All in all, not a big deal. A dash timing box would't help your carb, which I think is the most effected at altitude. Well, at least thats the way I understand it, I'm sure someone will correct me if I didn't get it right. I am not particularly brand loyal, but I do heavily research products and MSD always comes out on top. That, and after running their equipment in various vehicles for years now, the msd units have never let me down.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Northern California
MSD ignition boxes
I don't know if this helps any, but I asked the shop that curved my dist about timming in the high alt, and he said @ 6000 ft go from 12 btdc to 16 btdc, or 1 deg per 1500 ft.
I talked with several people about high alt power and making an adj to the carb and timming should make a very noticable difference. If you run the holley, they make the adjust-a-jet for about $90 that lets you replace the jets with an external adjustment plate where you can change the mix without taking off the fuel bowl.
I really wish these ign box makers would just addd the self adjustable rev limiter and timming control into a low cost box, it sucks that they want you to cange a chip or buy an expensive add on that they could have built into the thing from the begining.
I talked with several people about high alt power and making an adj to the carb and timming should make a very noticable difference. If you run the holley, they make the adjust-a-jet for about $90 that lets you replace the jets with an external adjustment plate where you can change the mix without taking off the fuel bowl.
I really wish these ign box makers would just addd the self adjustable rev limiter and timming control into a low cost box, it sucks that they want you to cange a chip or buy an expensive add on that they could have built into the thing from the begining.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 112
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From: North Idaho
MSD ignition boxes
I am running an Edelbrock 600 cfm on my 390. I know the air/fuel screws are out on front so it shouldn't be to difficult to do. But I am wondering if I have to change it every time I go play in the mountains. Not something I want to do when it's freezing outside and snowing. Thats great information guys. Helps me out a lot! I am still undecided on which unit. I am leaning towards the 6al or 6a. I am not sure I need a rev-limiter. I don't let others drive my truck. Does the rev-limiter help by droping the rpms and keeping it where my peak torque is? I'd like that idea if it would always give me optimum power.
Thoughts anyone?
Thank you!
Jake
Thoughts anyone?
Thank you!
Jake
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
MSD ignition boxes
All the revlimiter does it to stop the engine from reving past a preset point. It's used as engine protection, it you break a drive line or u joint or spin a wheel, miss a hard shift, you could over rev the engine and kill it. Not a big issue for most, but I like the fact that if you set it for 1000 rpm, it'd be dam hard for someone to steel the truck, and most thieves would never think of a revlimiter.
I think they work by skipping the firing process to keep the engine from going past the preset point.
I think they work by skipping the firing process to keep the engine from going past the preset point.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 112
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From: North Idaho
MSD ignition boxes
Well I emailed the tech guys at msd and this is what he told me. For the best overall performance, get the 6 or 6al (whatever your preference might be) and then get the adjustable timing control PN 8680. It's a little more costly, but then you have the high performance ignition along with the adjustable timing. Hope this can help anyone who is or will be in my situation.
Karljay, that's a good idea on the theft control. I don't think they could figure it out. I'll keep it in mind.
Jake
Karljay, that's a good idea on the theft control. I don't think they could figure it out. I'll keep it in mind.
Jake
