Gains from MSD 6AL? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

89fastlookinRS · 02-25-2003, 02:24 PM

Anybody here running a msd box? Just wondering if the gains are worth it. I think it would be a good upgrade especially with my mods in the sig.

Thanks.

snakeskinner · 02-25-2003, 02:39 PM

you're probably not going to see any visible performance gains but it is possible. The advantages of the MSD are better ignition control and better burn of the fuel. Especially if you're running anymore compression. The 6AL will also give you a rev limiter which can save your engine from over-revs if you manually shift your car.

camaroracer1 · 02-25-2003, 03:02 PM

I have the MSD 6AL in my car. I didn't see my car go any faster, but my car starts up faster and burns the fuel better. Also I have a 5500 rpm limter too prevent overrevving.

1988 Iroc - Z
350 TPI , 700r-4 with b&m shift kit
Hooker Super Comp Shorties
Holley AFRP
MSD 6AL and 8mm heli-core wires
Flowmaster 80 series muffler
Best time 14.12 @97mph
60' ft- 2.12s

ChevyGuy87 · 02-25-2003, 10:47 PM

i love my 6A box just for the one simple fact that even in below 0 temperatures my car starts right up immediately, even though i don't have a choke. i barely have to touch the gas pedal.

No4NJunk · 02-26-2003, 07:39 AM

Excuse my ignorance on msd ignitions, but can you use the 6A or 6AL box with a stock distributor?

ChevyGuy87 · 02-26-2003, 09:11 AM

yes. i know that with a non-cc hei w/vacuum advance, the msd box replaces the control module and condenser. before my trans am was "running", i had my 6A on my 87 Camaro w/MPFI and computer controlled distributor, and it worked fine there too. i just needed a harness to splice the wires to the box in

rx7speed · 02-26-2003, 09:35 AM

performance gains

prolly slim to almost none

forced induction, very advance timing, high compression or anything that is done to really increase cyl pressure will make better use of one and give you some real gains

the only exception to that is a carb maybe due to them not being able to atomize the fuel as well as a fuel injection system but even then the gains are prolly not going to be that great.

maybe 1-2 hp if even

most of your gains you would prolly see on the gas milage side and those shouldn't be that big... maybe 3-10% up from normal

but they don't hurt either and do help in the long run if you want to mod your car out quite a bit

well that is unless you want to take the r<x>ice (not import but r<x>ice gains
ok you add an MSd they claim 15hp so you just gained 25 hp, plus you have a sticker on your car now and since racecars use stickers and your using a sticker that must mean you are becoming like a race car so add another 20hp on top of that for a total gain of 45hp

TomP · 02-26-2003, 06:03 PM

I have an '86 Firebird with Multiport Injection; very similar to a v8's TPI- and I also have a dual-coil remote HEI distributor. (Us v6 guys started getting 'em in '85.)

I had "just" an Accel Supercoil on the car, noticed an improvement in higher-rpm "pull".

The girlfriend bought me an MSD 6AL box, so I put it on, along with an MSD Blaster SS coil. Noticed no big difference. Oh wait- there was one big difference. My car used to start up with a 1/2 second spin of the starter. After the MSD box, it takes almost a second.

I saved the MSD box for last on my car, and I'm glad I did. (There's not many bolt-on's for the 2.8/3.1 v6's, and I'm out of mods!) If I had spent the money for it as my first or second or even third mod, I would've been upset. But, I'm still happy I have it. I also bought the correct harness adapter so I wouldn't have to chop up my car's wiring... plus, if I ever -think- that the MSD box caused my car to stop running, I can just unplug the MSD system and plug my original coil back in. (Yep, I left the original coil in it's bracket as a backup.)