I am having an engine built as we speak and it was recomended by the engine builder tha when I install the engine I add a couple of things. He recomended an MSD 6A/AL box. He told me that it would keep my timing dead on. I was wondering if someone could explain what the box does. I know it discharges multiple sparks for more complete combustion at the lower RPM's , but does it take the place of a coil? Does it work in conjunction with a Coil? How does it hook into the ignition system? I would just like to know the mechanics/ electronics behind it before or if I install it. Thanks

You will here all kinds of opinions on that subject, but I can tell you the truth, you don't need something like that unless you have 12 to 1 compression or you spin the engine passed 7000 RPM's.

Because you will evenually have it fail on you, most have.

Yeah this is going to be a street motor 385 Hp 440 TQ, 10:1 CR. As, I said he didn't say it would give me performance just keep my timing more accurate.

Thanks for the response

Basicly it just takes the place of the module.....Its easy to hook up you just hook into the dist. signal wires and bypass the module. And yes, you have to use a coil with it, but like dyno don said.......you aint got enough motor to even really need it.

I would however, recommend a really good coil. For instance an msd blaster coil definetly will help for a stronger spark and better throttle response for your application. Made a world of difference on my motor and I am putting down similar numbers to what ur trying to do.

I just put a 6AL with a blaster coil in my car with 10:1 compression and I'm very pleased. I changed it from a stock ignition to the MSD set up with the external(not in cap) coil. Made a world of difference. Best $250 and 3-1/2 hours I've spent. Really made a big difference. Eliminated gas smell from tail pipe

THETANK!!!
Finally thawed out?
I had a 6A on my balanced & bleuprinted smallblock Tunnelrammed '54 Chevy truck. Never had any probs with it.
It's a part I would get again if we ever go hi-compression // hi-rpms.
An old friend has it in his '80something Monte Carlo that's mild.
It can be nerveracking with all the opinions.
Weigh it pro & con. If you are leaning towards it, have you looked into the Summit brand?
Good to see you're back in!!
Best luck to you!!!

How is it going to make your timing more accurate? That is just a load of B/S. As long as you are running a cam driven distributor there is going to accuracy issues at high rpm.

All its doing is giving you multiple spark below 3500 rpm. Going with a msd distributor with box will certainly make it easier to dial in your ideal timing.

Are you running a carb? Sounds like your carb is fat if you were smelling gas out the tail pipe.

The MSD 6AL is a good upgrade for even a stock engine. I wouldn't count on any performance improvement at WOT unless you were getting misfires before.

The MSD unit drastically increases energy (as in current) the spark along with increased dwell time, or spark duration. This has the effect of eliminating misfires and late burning. It allows efficient running under a wider range of conditions in the chamber, to include a leaner AFR. The threshold for lean misfires at all load ranges will be increased.
It also has a handy built-in rev limiter that can help protect engines with automatic transmissions from over-revving.

I've owned 3 of these units (different vehicles) over the last 20 years and never had one go out. I think the reason why people have problems with them failing is a combination of mounting them under the hood and improper wiring. I always mount mine inside the car on the firewall and run the wires through a grommet. Very good grounding of the entire ignition system is important. Loose connections or weak grounds can cause a lot of problems with high powered components.

Yeah I had a 2 barrel holly with a big fat jets in it. The motor use to have a 6AL hooked up but was removed from another car. Slapped the motor in my ride and couldn't pony up the cash for the ignition @ the time. I know It still needs to be tweaked a lil but its a work in progress lol

My experience so far has been increased gas mileage, better throttle responce and I'm a lot happier with my car