I have been very interested in some of the MSD products and would like to hear first hand what peoples experinece with it are... Thank you justin

BTW not sure if it varies but i have a 302

 

I have an MSD 6A and TFI coil on my truck, the 6A because I got it used for cheap and the coil because I bought into the marketing hype when I was younger. The coil, along with several other things like plugs, wires, cap, rotor, K&N drop-in filter, and a Dynomax cat-back boosted fuel mileage from about 12 to just over 15 in city driving. The 6A makes no difference for mileage that I have been able to tell, at least on my truck at 183000 miles, although it does seem to idle slightly smoother.

 

Have you noticed any more power or different curves?

 

I have an '89 302 with an MSD 6A, an MSD dizzy cap, MSD coil, and MSD wires. I felt a slight increase in power. I also noticed a slight increase in MPG.

 

Do you think that its worth the money? Granted it looks good but are they as functional as they are advertised?

 

It did not help power or MPG as much as the MAF conversion, but was cheaper and easier!

 

What id the MAF conversion>

 

I don't understand what you are asking.

 

He's asking what is a MAF conversion. Run a quick search for MAF conversion -- there's a few pretty lengthy posts detailing what is involved.

 

Justin I've worked with alot of MSD stuff installing, tuning, and selling and here is my take.

They make some great stuff but alot of it is a wast of money. The multible discharge boxes are almost useless, and not worth the money. Just concentrate on having a strong properly working ignition. Ignition is the most important (and often neglected) aspect to a good running engine and there is alot you can do to improve over factory.

The first place to start is wires. Factory and standard replacements suck, they are between 400 and 700 ohms per foot, this meens less power to the plug. MSD and a company called Taylor both sell wires that are 50 ohms per foot. The Taylors are the better deal they are a higher quality wire actually made by taylor (MSD buys theirs) and they cost less, these wires they call the thundervolt 8.2 they come in red, black, and blue and should run about $75. With either you can buy them pre made but I recomend getting a universal set. With these you install the distributor end it's pretty easy (there's special pliers they sell them there cheap) and it allows you to get exactly the length you want so they look clean and are as short as they can be. The black for your motor is # 83053

Next is the coil, simalar story the thing to look for in a coil is a high voltage potentail. The MSD's are good but my favorite is made by Pertronix it's an E-core that throws out 60,000 volts part # 60104 runs about $65

Then cap & rotor MSD makes the best stuff here #8482 $30

Then you got enough reliable juice to go big on your plug gap (or side gap as I do) And presto more power and mileage.

 

an msd 6a or al can't hurt. a more powerful spark all throughout u can't beat that. However probably more useful on high performance setup I probably wouldn't use it on stock truck motor but however I have a 6al not being used from my mustang so its definitely going on when I get everything running fine

 

This is a long answer to explain what MAF vs SD is. There are many good posts here on the board about that. Like Eric said, search for MAF conversion.

If you are asking which MAF conversion kit I used, I made one up from junk yard parts and new FORD parts from the top of the airbox to the TB.

 

we usually only see big improvements with the msd boxes on RACE motors like 700+ hp race motors, when you use a msd box the idle is so much more bearable and the streetability gets better but on a motor with less than 500hp i don't think it's worth it. but definatly upgrade the coil, you can use a canister coil which is about half price or a ford 5.0 coil if you cut and splice the coil wires to it. and yes taylor makes the best wires and msd makes the best rotor and cap.

 

i got.. the msd coil for my truck a while ago.. before i sold it i took it out.. and y only noticed a bit rougher idle.. but no difference in power...

buy a set of headers... now that is where you will get your money's worth

 

Agreed the idle improvements come from the multible spark, cause with a huge cam those motors barely idle, and it may take a few tries for a cylider to fire. But for most other situations (even if money is no object) the effects on timing can hurt performance.

DJdemon6696 and anyone reading, an increase in ignition power should be folowed up by an increase in plug gap to really get the benifits.