Hey Everyone,

Was curious if anyone has had any experience with ignition equipment from Jacobs? From a bunch of different places I've heard that it not only increases gas mileage but also horse power. Was hoping to hear some more opinions on it before I spend a bunch of money on it for my '96 Ranger. Thanks.

James

 

Aside from the actual Jacobs sponsored race vehicles have you ever seen or heard any one running Jacobs ignition? Nope. MSD all the way. I installed a FULL MSD setup on my 302 ranger swap. Fired up on the first crank of the motor and have had ZERO probs. Love it I know of 1 person (so far) that upgraded thier ignition to Jacobs in my 4 wheelin ring, and he was very dissappointed. No noticable increase in power or mpg.

 

There are plenty of posts on Jacobs and other off-brand ignitions (I use that term because I agree with Rabidranger - there's not much sense in avoiding MSD just to try to be different), just use the "Search" link on this site and you'll find plenty.

 

I've used Jacobs. I installed their Pro Street kit on a new EFI V8 that had about 3000 miles on it and was in perfect running condition. After the installation, I got zero increase in mileage and power, which was expected. The engine did not start any faster, idle any smoother or sound any different. There were no problems either. It was definitely not worth anything, and I wouldn't recommend them unless you just want something that looks cool.
Keep in mind that you won't get any increase in power or mileage from any aftermarket ignition system on a stock or mildly modified engine if the current system is already working ok.

 

Thats not true, I installed an MSD 6a box and their coil and got a very nice noticeable power increase. My engine runs smoother and pulls harder. My engine is stock except for an exhaust too. Well worth my 133 bucks if you ask me!


Primary rig is:
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds

Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
92' Thunderbird 3.8L V-6 FOR SALE!
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter baby.

The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L

 

Hey Everyone,

Thank you very much for the information. I will do some more research on the MSD like any person would. The only reason I asked about the Jacobs was just cause it was the only one that I've seen many articles on. But coming from real people who have tried the good and the bad I'll probably get MSDs once I get my tax return. Can anyone tell me like what all I should buy for a good setup though? I mean like new coil packs, plugs wires, plugs, whatever kind of MSD ignition there is (is there more than one peice?) Any information would be greatly appreciated. And thanks again for the great input already.

James

 

Good thinkin' aksniper, but don't take message board posters' words for it, take a real good look at most race cars out there. Sure, you'll find the occasional Mallory or Crane system, but a lot of the die-hard, day in and day out racers use MSD.

The TFI coil on these is rumored to be crappy, especially one with mileage one it. I guess it was a poor design. So you'll want a 6-series MSD ignition box and a coil. MSD makes a really nice and simple Ford TFI wiring harness for, like, $13 that fits between the coil and ignition box, so that's almost a must-have part unless you really want the hassle of wiring it yourself.

Spiral core spark plugs wires - they don't neccesarily have to be MSD, but they have to be quality pieces. You'll be gapping the plugs wider, too (no need for platinum plugs anymore).

On places other than this site i've read that some experienced users believe the huge capacitor MSD sells to cut out radio interferance does more to save the system and make it work well, but I am not sure about that idea.

I have the MSD-6A box - the basic 6-series. If you don't have a problem with over-revving now, you probably won't need the rev-control and other options of the higher 6-series boxes. Then again (if you really want high-tech) there are the new digital series MSD boxes, but they're so expensive that not many people around here use them.

Sidenote: You'll either need a tach adaptor or a good tachometer to read the revs once you get a MSD ignition due to the multiple parks.

Best,

 

My tach worked fine with the MSD 6a box and their TFI coil. I don't know what the price of the coil is at summit, but i saw the 6a box at summitracing.com for 133, its worth it if you ask me.


Primary rig is:
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds

Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
92' Thunderbird 3.8L V-6 FOR SALE!
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter baby.

The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L

 

what tach are you using with it?

 

stocker


Primary rig is:
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds

Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
92' Thunderbird 3.8L V-6 FOR SALE!
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter baby.

The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L