johnatthebox
Registered Member
I was going to buy a MSD 6a box for my truck when I saw the MSD streetfire box was 50$ cheaper, and wondered if anyone has used one? Going on a mild 454 (performer rpm, holley 800, etc) street driver...
CK5
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which MSD box to use?
- Thread starter johnatthebox
- Start date
Why do you need either?
neither
johnatthebox
Registered Member
youre not a believer in the MSD church, I take it? Ive run em before(msd6a) and it made a noticable difference. Especially with the crappy gas here in california
For making spark, they make a good product.
For an engine that otherwise runs well, it's an aftermarket part that adds complexity. They die sometimes.
Save that money for fuel injection.
For an engine that otherwise runs well, it's an aftermarket part that adds complexity. They die sometimes.
Save that money for fuel injection.
johnatthebox
Registered Member
Dont forget the electric fuel pump, regulator, filter, lines, fittings, and sensors to make it work. lol
Id be saving up for a looong time....
I know i dont "need" an msd on my truck, but its one of those mods i can afford, that has benefits, and doesnt really have a downside. I was just wondering if anyone had tried this new product out, and had an opinion on it....
Save your money for something else.
For $50 I'd get the real part not the watered down version just to save a little bit.
installed a few box's and noticed better starting / cleaner plugs / and run better . there were on old whipped engines to a built 400 sbc .
I'm not familiar with MSD's latest offerings but I'd suggest getting one with a rev limiter. Not everyone needs a limiter but it's a nice option to have for a few dollars more. As far as failure, typically you'll see these dead boxes are mounted under the hood where it's hot and most electronics do not like heat so I'd suggest trying to mount the box inside the truck. I run a 6AL with a distributor and coil that I have literally had since the early 90's without any issues (knocks on wood). My box and coil have always been inside the truck cab away from the engine heat.
I'll be a bandwagon follower. 
You call it a "mod", which it is, but most people modify things to make more power or be more reliable. Adding an ignition box will do neither providing the current system is working properly and the application isn't needing something other than what stock HEI will produce. From what you've listed, you aren't anywhere in that realm.
If HEI won't ignite the mix, your engine has problems, or is something far beyond a "regular" engine.
HEI is an exceedingly simple, reliable, and powerful system. If you want to make power, you do things like change cam, heads, or run headers.
I don't mind adding complexity to my truck, it's EFI now and was carb before, but I'm not going to install something that's *almost* as snake-oily as gas line magnets. MSD probably has it's place IMO, but it's not on a stock or moderately built engine, unless you absolutely need something like a re-limiter. And there are probably cheaper, potentially less problematic solutions for rev-limiting.
Is CA gas any different than the 10% ethanol we are required to run?
You call it a "mod", which it is, but most people modify things to make more power or be more reliable. Adding an ignition box will do neither providing the current system is working properly and the application isn't needing something other than what stock HEI will produce. From what you've listed, you aren't anywhere in that realm.
If HEI won't ignite the mix, your engine has problems, or is something far beyond a "regular" engine.
HEI is an exceedingly simple, reliable, and powerful system. If you want to make power, you do things like change cam, heads, or run headers.
I don't mind adding complexity to my truck, it's EFI now and was carb before, but I'm not going to install something that's *almost* as snake-oily as gas line magnets. MSD probably has it's place IMO, but it's not on a stock or moderately built engine, unless you absolutely need something like a re-limiter. And there are probably cheaper, potentially less problematic solutions for rev-limiting.
Is CA gas any different than the 10% ethanol we are required to run?
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Dunno, E85 and oxygenated?
johnatthebox
Registered Member
Ummmm..........okay.........thanks for your input. I wasnt really asking about the benefits of running an MSD as much as wanting some feedback about the new streetfire box MSD is offering.
I have had nothing but good experiences running MSD boxes in the past. Easy starting, smoother running, no pinging from shitty gas, and (it may just be in my head) it feels like more power too.
Of course id make more power from a cam swap or better heads or fuel injection. Cmon guys, really? Im talking about a $150 bolt on here.... Those arent really comparable
I have had nothing but good experiences running MSD boxes in the past. Easy starting, smoother running, no pinging from shitty gas, and (it may just be in my head) it feels like more power too.
Of course id make more power from a cam swap or better heads or fuel injection. Cmon guys, really? Im talking about a $150 bolt on here.... Those arent really comparable
How much does a cheap set of headers cost? They make ~15-25HP. An MSD is going to net you 0 HP on a stock/stock + engine. Cam, heads, or exhaust mods are not likely to leave you stranded somewhere anymore than the stock parts are. The MSD is, you are adding a point of failure that never existed before. You may have had great experiences, but there are enough that haven't that I'd not recommend running one unless you NEED it.
I tried, and could not find, any back to back dyno testing between HEI and an MSD box on the exact same engine. But I'd be willing to bet that new for new, the difference is negligible. I believe the point from everyone that is a naysayer, is that if you want to add a mod, don't add one that can leave you stranded and isn't going to make power. Every comment I could find from supposedly knowledgeable engine builders and racers, was that unless something is wrong with the engine, or the stock components are taxed in extreme applications, MSD or any other ignition mod is a waste of time and money.
I'm still waiting to hear how the physics of how a 30,000 volt spark isn't enough to fire plugs in a stock engine, and how more voltage or longer duration spark, can possibly change how an engine starts or runs, if everything is in good shape in the first place.
I remember buying one of those big yellow Accel "super coils" back when I had my '66 Buick Wildcat...
Every time it rained,the car refused to start...seems the 50,000 volts was more than the oem design plug wires could withstand...you could crank it over,and watch the spark jump right through the plug wires to ground,instead of firing the plugs!..
I put the original coil back on it and had zero troubles in any weather..
Every time it rained,the car refused to start...seems the 50,000 volts was more than the oem design plug wires could withstand...you could crank it over,and watch the spark jump right through the plug wires to ground,instead of firing the plugs!..
I put the original coil back on it and had zero troubles in any weather..
johnatthebox
Registered Member
Seeing a red MSD box under the hood of a 4x4/hot rod/street machine is about as common as an open element air cleaner.
For every comment you can find against, I can find two in favor...
You dont recommend MSD.....I get it. I like em... Different strokes....
I understand your point, and its valid, but if I were super worried about adding potential points of failure, I would have left it all stock.
For the record: I already have long tube headers, flowmasters, a healthy cam, hi-rise intake, big holley, and even did a little port matching on my junkyard heads. Its not a race motor, but its not a pooch either...
That all being said-- I guess noone has any feedback to offer on the streetfire unit, so Ill prolly just stick with a 6a
For every comment you can find against, I can find two in favor...
You dont recommend MSD.....I get it. I like em... Different strokes....
I understand your point, and its valid, but if I were super worried about adding potential points of failure, I would have left it all stock.
For the record: I already have long tube headers, flowmasters, a healthy cam, hi-rise intake, big holley, and even did a little port matching on my junkyard heads. Its not a race motor, but its not a pooch either...
That all being said-- I guess noone has any feedback to offer on the streetfire unit, so Ill prolly just stick with a 6a
I have the black StreetFire box on my truck. Works great, haven't had any issues.
