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Price on MSD ignition?

7

77K5Blazer

1/2 ton status
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Mar 11, 2001
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Location
Hood River, Oregon
I saw a couple of posts talking about good gains with MSD ignition. What is a good price, where can I get it, what will it do for me, can I install it? I am looking for some gains, but want to stay away from headers and a cam for now, just some simple things. Thanks for all the help!

<font color=red>1977 Blazer, GM350, SM465, NP205, D44/ 12b...4" TC Kit here, MT/Rs on the way</font color=red>
<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/blazinor>http://community.webshots.com/user/blazinor</a>
 
The MSD Offroad box is $213 from Summit. The MSD 6A and 6AL boxes are cheaper. $140 and $180 or so. MSD coil is like $ 35, and wires are between $58-80. You can install the box yourself, you just have to be familiar with ignition systems. You don't have to be a brain child, just be able to find you a$$ with both hands, or know someone who can. The instructions are pretty good too. Coil, and wires are easy.

As for the boxes.
6A: Standard Box
6AL: Standard Box w/rev limiter built in
6 Offroad: Water and Vibration proof, with water tight connectors.

All the boxs function in the same way, you just pay for the features.

I have the 6offroad box, and it is great. You don't have to worry about water getting in and hurting it. It made my truck run a hell of alot better. Worth every penny. If you are low on $ then the 6A or 6Al box is great too, you just have to pick a spot that is less likely to get wet, and maybe shield it with something just for general purposes.

My Chevy isn't broken, its just out of gas.
 
IMO you aren't going to see much difference. (Dyno tests show the same thing, although they can't measure low end)Change your plugs and wires, coil/cap/module (perhaps "upgraded" coil and module) time it, and call it good. If ALL that was done was to add the "box" then test, there would be some basis to believe claims. Have yet to see that happen, and any actual improvement.

I'm getting 18MPG freeway (carbed and no OD) and can idle to 500RPM (havent tried any lower) with the stock (coil, module) HEI, and it starts wonderfully. I also don't have to worry about yet another electrical thing to crap out and leave me stranded, and guessing what the problem is.


Dorian
My tech/links page: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html>www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html</a>
Why insist on counting when the ring gear has the tooth counts stamped in?
 
Your in luck. I had my distributor rebuilt without the module (new cap &amp; rotor too), then later I changed my coil to MSD, then later changed my wires, and last added the box. The new coil helped out, along with the wires, but when the box was added I noticed a BIG improvement. I added one thing at a time because I didn't have the $ to do it all at once. The box was last, and it was the best improvement by far. The coil and wires helped, and I could run a wider gap with them, but the box is where it is at. The dyno thing may be true, not adding hp, but the drivability, gas mileage, and pick up of the motor greatly increases. Thats what we are all looking for to is driveability, and because the driveability increase it feels as if you picked up hp's. You may not have, but it sure feels like it does.

My Chevy isn't broken, its just out of gas.
 
Ok, so you're truck idles great, and gets 18MPG? I'm just curious how much more driveability can be improved if my mileage is that high and my idle is as steady as it is.

Driveability improvements, in this case, the way I look at it, would be more power, or better idle. Now: More power would be apparent in a dyno test, at any RPM, if more voltage somehow made a difference. It doesn't, and can't be proven under 4500RPM. Since dyno's don't measure (typically) under 2000RPM, what happens under that RPM, power wise, can't really be measured. Which situation is likely to result in more unburned fuel? High RPM or Low RPM? If its low, multiple spark would help. High? Well, from 2000-4500, no proven gains over stock.

Better idle? How many of us actually have the vehicle in tune, and it idles great? Mines one, this I know.

However, I guess I could go on, but people are gonna believe what they are gonna believe. I'm offering a different opinion than yours, but its all cool. The guy asked what it will do for him, I say nothing, you say something. Headers or a cam may not be something he wants to do, but I doubt anyone here will argue that an MSD ignition will give him anywhere near the kind of power increase he would get with either of the other swaps. Heck, besides labor, a cam swap can probably be almost as cheap as an MSD box!

For my next trick, I'm probably gonna run a .060 gap with the stock HEI, just to see if it makes any difference.


Dorian
My tech/links page: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html>www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html</a>
Why insist on counting when the ring gear has the tooth counts stamped in?
 
I'm not trying to say your wrong in any way. If you get 18mpg great. But I don't so an extra mileage helps.

I am just telling you what I noticed when the box got put in my truck. I notice better idle, better faster starting, better fuel economy, better throttle response and acceleration pickup, and better passing power. This is all the stuff MSD claims it will do, and that is exactly what it did for me. I attribute most of this stuff to a more complete fuel burn, if it is from the multi spark, or the wider gap I don't know, but I would guess it is a combination of the two.

Also I did read the article on the dyno test on the igntion systems.

You may not get any actual horsepower gains, but with all the things I listed above it definitly feels like you did. With all the prior mentioned stuff my truck runs and drives alot better, and feels as if it picked up hp's.

You are right, that a cam, or headers will get you actual hp's but for me in my situation neither were an option. MSD has worked out great for me and I am glad I did it. Thats all I am trying to say.

I am not trying to starts anything, I am just telling you what MSD did for me from personal experience.

My Chevy isn't broken, its just out of gas.
 
I put a 6-a box in my K5. I noticed a little improvement in low end .. Then I took it out and put it in my boat with a mallory points ign . WOW what an improvement. It got out of the hole a lot faster and I gained about 200 RPM on the top end. So I think the MSD will make a diference with stock ign. But the 6 series boxes dont do a whole lot once you get over 3000 rpm. They are designed more for low end performance. I really dont think they are a horsepower builder. They do help develope torque faster at a lower rpm. That helps a for street drivability.

Checker /Kragen/ Shucks sells the 6-A boxes for 139.00. get a MSD blaster coil to go with it 39.00
If you install the basic 6-a box be sure to put it somewhere where it wont get wet.( in the cab is best) They are not sealed for moisture. You should use The MSD offroad box if you think it will get wet it is sealed.

<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/Thunders-Blaze> Blazer pics</a>

<font color=blue>Nevada... Where the pavement ends and the west begins
 
Is there ANY reason why you couldnt get the much cheaper 6A and then just make some sort of a casing/covering for it that would keep 99.9% of water from splashing on it? prolly wouldnt be capable of being submerged or anything, but if done right it might do enough.

what about installing it in the cab somewhere...possible? I plan on upgrading my ignition eventually...and saving some $$$ where I can is always a good thing! ;)

J


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown>http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown</a>
 
I think that installing it in the cab would be a much better idea. Placing it inside a box of some kind would not be good for it because I am no expert but am pretty sure these things like to get hot and all that heat would eventually lead to a early demise.
 
No worries, there are plenty of facts, opinions, and experiences for both sides of the argument. : )

Still, if it is feasible to do headers or a cam, the box would be my LAST attempt at a performance mod, I just hope to inform him, and anyone else, that the gains from the MSD can not hope to be anywhere near what other mods can. Obviously, certain situations dictate what can and can not be done.

Dorian
My tech/links page: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html>www.dorianyeager.com/index2.html</a>
Why insist on counting when the ring gear has the tooth counts stamped in?
 
mounting it in-cab sounds like a good idea to me. The final question would seem to be then, is there ANYTHING about the spendy "off road" version that is improved? I mean ignition performance-wise, not the water proof qualities of it...

anyone know?

J


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown>http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown</a>
 
No differences beside the waterproof and vibration proofing. It does also have water tight connectors, but thats the only difference. It functions just like the 6A box.

My Chevy isn't broken, its just out of gas.
 
sweet, thanks much for the info. It'll save me some $$$. =) When I mount the thing, maybe I'll add some rubber washers to help fight off vibration probs. Water shouldnt be tooo much of a problem in-cab...especially if I mount it right...

anyway, thanks again!

J


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown>http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown</a>
 
MSD makes vibration kits that you attach the box with. I believe they come with the box, but I am not sure. My box (6 Offroad) did, eventhough the box is vibration proof anyway. It helps create airspace for cooling. You might want to check to make sure, but I think they come with the anti-vibration mounts.

My Chevy isn't broken, its just out of gas.
 
okkie dokkie, thanks for the info. Even if the box doesnt include the anti-vibe...it shouldnt be to hard to make your own. Purdy cool if it did tho.

anyway, Im not even gonna be upgrading this stuff until after I am done with my suspension and the 1-ton conv. In other words...a while. ;) At any rate, thanks for saving me the $$$$. =)

J


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown>http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown</a>
 
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