Hi all, I have a MSD Blaster Coil and I just wondered if a MSD 6al Box is useful...... BTW what is the real function of that box? What are the advantages? Thanks....
------------------ Christophe from FRANCE **1986 PONTIAC FIERO - V6/2,8L**
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06:37 PM
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avengador1 Member
Posts: 35468 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
You want the newer model. I don't have the exact number. They are a digital multispark igniton systems with adjustable rev limiters. Some can even be set up to work with knock sensors when you run nitrous or boost. They help steady out the cars idle and provide a cleaner burn with the multiple sparks per cycle they provide. Go to their web site to catch up on what's new.
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08:27 PM
The Aura Member
Posts: 2290 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Nov 2001
The MSD 6AL box is a multispark discharge box that fires multiple sparks when triggered for 20 degrees of crank rotation each time. It does help with non stock engines, smooths out idle, may help emissions. The L designation is for a built in rev limiter that they call a soft touch rev control. When you get to the rpm you set it to, the rev limiter starts eliminating spark on non consequtive cylinders to keep you from exceeding the set limit. Sounds horrible, but beats a grenaded engine.
If your running a DIS system (87 and later 4 cylinder) I wouldn't bother. It makes a nice addition to distributor engines.
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03:58 AM
Steve_Chin Member
Posts: 50 From: Foster City, CA, USA Registered: Dec 2002
Most high-zoot ignition systems won't make much (if any) difference in a stock engine or a near-stock engine. The possible benefit of an MSD type system would be cleaned up emissions on a nearly-stock engine. Units such as these start showing their worth when using high compression, high boost levels, stratospheric redlines, and/or exotic fuels.
In short, if your engine is stock or nearly stock, they aren't worth the outlay of $$$. For more discussion on bug-zapper ignition systems, check out the threads at http://www.classicalpontiac.com
------------------ Steve Chin 87 GT 5-speed 79 Trans Am 455-HO Edelbrock heads, Ram Air IV cam, Richmond Gear 5-speed, 2.56:1 12-bolt, VSE Fire-Am suspension, smog-legal 72 K/5 Blazer 357, Edelbrock Performer heads, NV4500 5-speed w/ synchro reverse
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08:40 PM
Dec 10th, 2002
Carrolles Member
Posts: 2799 From: Alabaster, AL USA Registered: Apr 99
I just installed a Mallory Hyfire VIa and I haven't noticed much of a difference other than the car starts much better. I won't check fuel economy until it warms up next year.
The Mallory unit is much cheaper than the base MSD 6A box, and it's digital. If you do get one, spend the extra dough on the MSD adapter harness, makes for an easy no wire cutting installation.
I don't think you'll need the rev limiter option on a base engine.
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10:43 AM
Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
I was under the impression that the GM ignition system gets weak above 4500 rpm and the MSD box corrects that.
The coil can't charge a good spark at the higher RPM's. at 4500 rpm it has to fire 450 times in one second. not an easy task. the MSD has a big 'ol capacitor (like a battery) to store up juice to keep power flowing to the coil. and also, at lower RPM's it uses the juice to fire mulitple sparks (instead of just one) on each cyl. the multiple sparks makes lower RPM REAAAL smooth (especially when cold), and the extra juice makes the higher RPM sparks stronger, so you can open up the gap on your plugs, to expose more fuel-air mix to the sparks, for a faster, stronger burn
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11:22 AM
IDoMy0wn Racing Member
Posts: 107 From: Pioneer, CA. USA Registered: Aug 2002
MSD= Multi Spark Discharge. Provides 3 sparks per firing. MSD 6AL is analog, has a rev limiter, all you have to do is add the right RPM module. (The kit has 3 modules. 3000 for testing the rev-limiter, 5000 and 6000). Additional modules are extra.
I like the Crane Hi-6 set-up, it is multi spark, come with rev limiter, boost retard if needed, (add bar MAP sensor) it’s digital, really small, doesn’t require modules, (just turn the switches) diagnostic mode and comes with a high output coil. From Summit racing for $185.00ish
The MSD 6AL is a great unit. But unless you put new premium sparkplugs and plugwires and cap and rotor on you're not getting it's full potential. It's best on heavily modified engines, but also works great on stock modified ignition systems. Good luck!
Phil
------------------ GTDude OVER 25 years GM experience
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02:53 AM
Capt Fiero Member
Posts: 7657 From: British Columbia, Canada Registered: Feb 2000
I have the full shibang for MSD on my car, and 2 of the things I like about it is, 1st the soft-touch rev-control is great for racing. You set it to say 6000rpm, Nail the gas in 1st gear and don't ever let off the gas again till the race is over. I can keep my foot to the floor between shifts. The soft touch rev-control does not shut the engine down like the stock one, it cuts periodic spark to cylinders. Keeping the motor at 6000rpms.
The 2nd is the bigger spark means you can run more fuel and larger spark plug gaps. I have an adjustable Fuel Pressure REg, I can crank the fuel pressure up to 45psi and not run rich when I use the stock injectors, and I cna run the larger ford 19$ injectors at about 35-38 without running rich. Oh and with all my mods to my motor, cam, and compression and all that other jazz, it still passes British Columba Emmissions Test.
------------------ David hotrodfiero@shaw.ca 85GT 2.9 4spd www.david.westcoastfieros.com
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10:42 AM
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Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15720 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
From the performance tests in Hot Rod and Car Craft magazine; they report that all of the hot ignition boxes do essentially the same thing and perform almost equally as well. Besides triggering multiple sparks which BTW are only good below 2000 RPM (above that you don't have enough time to trigger more than one spark)the main advantage is that they greatly increase spark energy by using a brief capacitive discharge of about 400 Volts to the input of the coil. This is most benefical at high RPM's and on modified, nitrous fed and boosted engines. At idle and cruise RPM's the multiple sparks will help lower emissions and improve gas mileage but as pointed out in , you will need to upgrade to spiral core ignition wire (like MSD or Accel) to reap the benefits. A MSD ignition will fry the stock carbon core wires in no time.
On a stock vehicle it is not necessary. If you run NOS or a blower, then I would get one. I have one on my Dak, but thats only because I run NOS, I had the MSD prior to installing the NOS and there was no noticeable change in anything. With the extra cyl pressure caused by NOS or a blower, it is nice insurance.
------------------ '73 Pontiac Formula Coolest body lines of all time '85 Fiero GT 2M6/Auto Stock and boring for now '92 Dakota Sport 425hp 360+NOS...just in case '01 Durango R/T Stock and determined to keep it that way
Ok Guys, thank you for all your infos... Then I think that I won't buy it, I only have Splitfire wires, a MSD coil, and a K&N filter....... Maybe later........ with an other engine
------------------ Christophe from FRANCE **1986 PONTIAC FIERO - V6/2,8L**
[This message has been edited by DJWINNI (edited 12-12-2002).]
