ok so i have my 1981 f150 4x4 im considering building it up already to go out to the sand dunes as well as a daily driver, im considering a msd box. i have a deal i could get a 6al-2 box however ive heard about the 6a off-road which one have you guys used which one would you recomend? im not going to do much crawling or mud pits live out by the desert so yeah what do you guys think??

 

i would just save your money and stick with the dura spark system.it's a good reliable system.imo

 

What 86bigred said.

If your stock Duraspark ignition is functioning properly, you will gain NOTHING, and lose reliability, with an MSD or any other aftermarket ignition system.

 

As far as aftermarket ignition, I prefer Pertronix, but all the vehicles I've used it on had points.

 

I ran a FULL MSD setup on my 81. I loved it. How is a hotter ignition a bad thing...?? Also MSD has some killer customer service. I could not believe what they did for me.

 

a hotter coil on the dura spark would be sufficient for most applications. I've never used MSD but I dont think it will give any gains over the dura spark unless you have a way more than stock engine.

 

I've run a MSD 6A on my 1981 F100 for about 10 years with no problems. The engine is
a 1970 vintage 351W built by me that has been clearanced, balanced has 9.6-1 compression, a Edelbrock performer intake with a modified 4180 carb, Ford SVO cam and
headers. The 1970 heads have been mildly ported, CCed with bronze valve guides. The
rest consists of dual exhaust with turbo mufflers the revamped AOD trans and a 3.70
ratio 9 inch rear with a Auburn Pro differential. It runs real well and is fun to drive.
I'll have it painted one of these years to finish it off. I also have MSD boxes on two
classic cars. In my opinion it is the way to go.

 

msd is very nice and reliable but not the only option mallory has some very nice products and i feel you get more bang for the buck (not trying to knock msd they are very nice)

 

MSD, Mallory, Accel, and all those other fancy ignition systems are certainly options if you have to get a whole new ignition system, or if you are replacing points or something like that. What I am saying is that if you replace a properly functioning Duraspark ignition system with one of the many aftermarket ignition systems, you will not notice a bit of difference, except in your wallet. Unless, of course, you are spending a lot of time above 5,000 RPMs racing your truck or you have a HEAVILY modified race engine.

The stock Ford Duraspark ignition system IS a high-energy ignition system, plus it has a few neat features that the aftermarket systems do not have. The Duraspark ignition module will actually retard the timing a few degrees to ease the load on the starter. This "start-retard" function allows for much quicker hot and cold starts than the aftermarket systems, allowing you to run higher compression without the typical "hot start" problems a performance engine will bring with it. NONE of the other ignition systems, including the MSD, can do that.

Another advantage is parts availability. In the rare case you have a problem with the stock Duraspark, you can walk into ANY parts house in ANY town and get replacement parts right off the shelf. Not so with the aftermarket ignition systems. You may get lucky, sure, but chances are, you are going to have to ORDER the parts you need (if you can even get the separate parts without replacing the whole system) and then you are going to have to wait overnight, days, or even weeks for delivery...not very comforting when you are stranded in the middle of nowhere. Plus you are probably going to run into problems trying to diagnose a malfunctioning aftermarket system. ANY competent mechanic is going to know how to work on the stock Ford Duraspark system.

This is why I myself decided to go with the stock Ford Duraspark ignition over the aftermarket systems a few years ago when I removed the troublesome feedback carburetor and EEC-IV/TFI ignition my '85 F150 originally came with.

I have seen some members in here perform complete aftermarket ignition swaps and then rave about how much better the new system is, when in reality, their stock Duraspark system just wasn't functioning properly. You have to remember, if your truck is a 1981 model, your ignition has been doing its job for almost THIRTY (30) years now. If nothing else, that certainly proves its RELIABILITY. Check what you have and inspect all wiring to make sure your ignition system is still operating at its full potential. If it is, then know that you already have a competitive ignition system. My advice would be to spend your money elsewhere on your truck.

 

one thing about an aftermarket ignition is the fact that you can get great tech help if you have a problem, but the factory ignition is a good base ignition but how many real race cars/trucks in comp (dunes/drag/ect...) are running stock ignition (and they pay all that money for a good reason) i had great luck w/ my mallory unilite ignition and would not think twice about buying another one for my next project

 

I'm sorry to kind of hi jack this thread, but I have some related questions maybe someone can explain. I know Duraspark is awesome, but what is TFI, and what does it have to do with Ford Duraspark? I ask because people always say stuff about TFI and Duraspark. Also what can be done to fix the problem of splashing through a creek or big mud puddle, and the engine shutting off because water got some where it wasn't supposed to be?

 

It's the later style ignition module that works with the engine computer system. You will find it on the fuel injection engines and the carbed engines with the computer. It has nothing to do with the duraspark II system. They had a duraspark III system that also worked with a computer, but it was only used for a few years on a few models.

You can grease the wires up with special dielectric grease, and put splash shields around the bottom of the engine compartment. Or you could swap in a diesel engine No real good way other than prevention to make the ignition run with water all over it.

 

I have heard good things about the MSD ignition. But it was on hopped up engines that needed it. It runs a very high primary voltage to the coil, and it hits the sparkplugs with multiple sparks at low rpms. But I have never had a engine that I really needed it.

 

in my 86 with the 460,I put in an aurora coil that's suposed to put out 60,000 volts and has multiple spark.it has 2 12 gauge wires that run to the battery and uses the existing coil wires to trigger it.it was suposed to aid in starting and claimed better mpg's.it has been on there for 2 years and has done nothing it claims.still gets 10 mpg and starts the same as it did before I installed it.that's why I said don't waste your money,unless you have a high reving modified engine.IMO

 

well thanks for all the advice guys.