MSD Ignition
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New User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Valley USA
MSD Ignition
hey guys ok im planning on getting the MSD off road box with the TFI coil...is it recommended that i switch out the stock wires also or can the stock ones handle the new box?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
MSD Ignition
Wires are fine. Get the wiring harness it makes the job much easier. Put some dielectric grease on the terminals and seal them up. Just follow the directions, its simple and doesn't take long.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
MSD Ignition
I agree with all previous posts, the stock wires will work, but if you upgrade to high quality wire (Motorsport 9mm, MSD Super conductors), you can afford to open up the plug gap. when you open the plug gap, this makes the most pronounced increase in performance and economy. I recommend using Motorcraft P/N 450's for plugs, and gap them .055" for stock wires, aftermarket can easily take .065" gap. You'll see the difference that makes in everything from high RPM performance to smoother idle to better fuel milage. Having a weaker wire will increase the possibility of spark scatter, thus misfires and detonation may occur. Also, too much voltage in stock wires will be very hard on the secondary ignition circuit (dist. cap, rotor, wires, plugs). But, stay stock and you'll still see a nice improvement. MSD makes a great product, I agree with MustangGT, I'm a proud owner myself!
'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing
'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
MSD Ignition
MSD-8874 is the part number at summitracing. Took me 3 seconds using there search, just typed in "MSD TFI harness". Summit racing has good prices and great service I like them. I just bought an exhaust kit from them and got it in 4 days and shipping was only 7 bucks for a complete cat-back kit, pretty knowledgeable staff too.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
MSD Ignition
You might want to take a look at the MSD Digital 6 plus, I think it has the same features but add the automatic start retart and ajustable rev limiters for about $279.
I want it just for the start retard, it makes the engine easier to start.
I want it just for the start retard, it makes the engine easier to start.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
MSD Ignition
I agree the starting retard is nice, but you can get an adjustable seperate box from MSD for about $45, and save money by getting the 6AL, it is an analog signal, but dyno tests show that it makes no significant difference. -TK
The TorqueKing
The TorqueKing
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
MSD Ignition
>I agree the starting retard is nice, but you can get an
>adjustable seperate box from MSD for about $45, and save
>money by getting the 6AL, it is an analog signal, but dyno
>tests show that it makes no significant difference. -TK
>
>The TorqueKing
I didn't see the seperate box for $45, I saw one for about $100. Is this automatic or manual?
One side note is that I think the others use a chip to control the rev limiter, where as the 6 plus uses a know that you can set to anywhere you want. I thought that would be a cool anti-theft device, set the revlimiter to 1000 and see if someone can steel you truck.
>adjustable seperate box from MSD for about $45, and save
>money by getting the 6AL, it is an analog signal, but dyno
>tests show that it makes no significant difference. -TK
>
>The TorqueKing
I didn't see the seperate box for $45, I saw one for about $100. Is this automatic or manual?
One side note is that I think the others use a chip to control the rev limiter, where as the 6 plus uses a know that you can set to anywhere you want. I thought that would be a cool anti-theft device, set the revlimiter to 1000 and see if someone can steel you truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
MSD Ignition
I got an even cooler one, if you're using a magnetic pickup distributor, take the white wire (points trigger) off the 6A box, and instead of terminating it, run it to a switched ground, preferably a single pole-double throw switch. Whenever you throw the switch to ground that wire, the box will put out NO signal whatsoever. Hotwiring will do no good, the box will never put out a signal, and no one will ever figure it out unless they happen to be good with MSD ignitions, in which case they'll probably make money turning wrenches instead of stealing cars! The best part is, my switch is hidden in the grill, tucked under the hood, where I can reach up and throw it, but it's out of plain site. It takes 2 seconds to deactivate the vehicle beyond use or reasonable repair, and another 2 seconds to bring it back to life!
'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing
'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
MSD Ignition
>hey guys ok im planning on getting the MSD off road box with
>the TFI coil...is it recommended that i switch out the stock
>wires also or can the stock ones handle the new box?
I put a MSD 6A in about 2 months and 13,000 miles ago. I also put in a msd coil and dist cap.
Two experiences to share:
Tonight I was working on some trailer lights and left the parking lights on for a couple hours. The battery needed some help and after getting it started, and with the hood up, I noticed a nice display of spakly things going on all over my engine. Quite pretty actually. Blue flickers just about anywhere a plug wire came in contact with any other metal and bigger and better sparking where the wire boots stopped and the plug when into the heads. These aren't cheap wires or that old either, but they aren't high performance wires such as MSD or Spiral Core or Motosport. Time for some new wires for me.
This week after some rough mountain roads last weekend, the coil gave up the ghost. It started missing when I would hit a bump and then finally it gave out altogether. I had no problem with the store and took it back for a replacement.
Tony
>the TFI coil...is it recommended that i switch out the stock
>wires also or can the stock ones handle the new box?
I put a MSD 6A in about 2 months and 13,000 miles ago. I also put in a msd coil and dist cap.
Two experiences to share:
Tonight I was working on some trailer lights and left the parking lights on for a couple hours. The battery needed some help and after getting it started, and with the hood up, I noticed a nice display of spakly things going on all over my engine. Quite pretty actually. Blue flickers just about anywhere a plug wire came in contact with any other metal and bigger and better sparking where the wire boots stopped and the plug when into the heads. These aren't cheap wires or that old either, but they aren't high performance wires such as MSD or Spiral Core or Motosport. Time for some new wires for me.
This week after some rough mountain roads last weekend, the coil gave up the ghost. It started missing when I would hit a bump and then finally it gave out altogether. I had no problem with the store and took it back for a replacement.
Tony
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
MSD Ignition
TK that sounds like an awesome idea and i'm going to have to hook that up sometime.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
MSD Ignition
Actually i don't even know if mine has a magnetic pickup distributor, does that come on a stock engine?
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
