So I wanted to swap my current ignition system with a replacement MSD system. My 89 F250 currently has a speed density setup and the distributor advance is computer controlled. In shopping for this system, I found two types of ignition systems that would fit my truck. One requires the use of an ignition box and the other does not, but they do have an ignition coils.

Can I swap the ignition system over to where it uses a coil system instead of what it is currently using? Would it even make a difference?

 

Just do this: FullSizeBronco.com - 78 - 96 Ford Bronco offroad club, forums, tech, installs
You can advance your base time manually (the ECU will further advance from there), as well as increase your spark kernel size by 25% by the additional plug gap your upgrade will easily allow for.

Inexpensive, easy, pronounced performance & simultaneous MPG increase. Much of the magic is in an increased spark kernel exposure. The rest is the timing of the instance of that exposure, effecting the rate of compression.

an ignition control box &/or 6AL is an overkill for the vast majority of otherwise stock engine applications.

 

I agree with ymeski56.

 

Also agreed. you may see minimal improvement over what you can already do with this mod, by completely replacing the ignition system.

 

Like wishful thinking. My imagination would be straining itself after dropping the bucks on that stuff for some kind of appreciable improvement.

I conferred with a Petronex tech after doing the ignition upgrade w/ one of their 60K volt coils. I was running 87 octane w/ a .056 gap (.044 was stock). My question was if the 6AL was compatible w/ my coil choice (Ohm rating is critical).

He said it was perfectly compatible, but not necessary. The purpose of the 6AL is to ensure complete fuel ignition. He said, by my increasing my spark kernel size/exposure by 25%, there was little if anything for the 6AL to deal with that the initial ignition did not address.

My emissions test seemed to confirm that. Acceptable Hc output was .14 ppm. My output was .01 ppm. w/87 octane. A hair lean for me, so I bumped my octane to 89, increaseing the Hc output to .10ppm.