I recently purchased an MSD ignition system for my 87 TA, 305 TPI. I have the MSD6A ignition control along with 8.5 wires and coil. The installation looks a bit challenging for me. Is it worth the trouble? Looks like some work because of the HEI. What about location of installation (wire length to the battery etc. looks questionable)? Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated.

I didn't like the engine at all before I put the msd on it, the MSD made a HUGE diffrence in EVERYTHING it is carburated but now starts like it's injected, and definate notice in fuel economy and acceleration, now I love my 85 z definatly a good choice, I will be running msd box's on anything I own from now on, definatly if it's carb'd

incognyto, I happy to hear good results with this, are you running a Non computer controlled distributor? Are you running a coil on top HEI distributor? I got a used one at a parts swap a few months ago and never looked at installing it b.c i assumed it was for a coil with a coil wire going to it. Also, do these things go bad or die, the one i got looks pretty old but i asked him and he said he ran it on his car untill he wrecked it... If you happen to want to explain how to hook it up that would help me greatly. Thanks
Dennis

i had terrible problems with my engine when i first got it, had it rebuilt, pollution stuff gutted and much more, but they still put the original roch q jet carb and original dist, anyways i then put an hei coil and distributor with vacuum advance, that was prolly the biggest difference i have ever experienced in terms of power and performance, then came the headers,no cat, and flowmaster, it now throws me back into my seat...install the HEI

get the plug in wiring harness to connect into the coil, and you are basically all done
it's a piece of cake to do
and it has helped her 88 formula

i use them on all of my cars, install is realtively simple
most challanging issues are usually where to mount the box

It's my understanding that using the harness adapter is by far the only way to go unless you happen to like splicing into the wiring harness. Supposedly it's not to expensive. I was going to buy one but just got a fantastic deal on a complete ACCEL unit including a billet distributor.
In the CAMARO PERFORMANCE HANDBOOK, they only mention one ignition system, and that's the MSD 6AL box. Nitro

I installed one on my 86 305TPI car. Made a difference under 3000rpm, and made the car alot smoother running. Better gas mileage was a plus, and the harness made it a snap to install. If you ever have a problem with the MSD box you can put the stock wires back on and bypass the msd on the spot since the harness makes it plug and play. I really noticed the difference it made when I took it off the car.

-Jim

Do the MSD boxes come with the wiring harness or is that a seperate piece you have to buy?

MSD has been great to me as well.... Was a pain at first because I was having problems with my box but once that was resolved it ran likea champ and really made a difference. I notice it used to die out around 5500 on the older motor I had it installed on and after that it pulled past that like it was nothing. I run it on every V-8 I have built up for my own vehicles. I also have run the accel blueprinted HEI dist. and it has been a good one for me as well. Also I had to toy with the advance springs some because they ran a very light spring from the factory.

i have never had an issue with the MSD box, coils, wires, etc.
i love em
i have them on everything i drive
it was so easy to install on her 88 formula
needed the tach adaptor though

i'll probably put it on my Jeep next

i've been running them for 12+ years
no issues

my one friends box die, but that lasted 10 years
all my other buddies have em, no problems either
they pay dividends on carb'ed apps more then EFI's
at least in my experience

My first box lasted 15 years before it died. MSD repaired it for something like $35.

I wouldn't be expecting any gains out of it on a mostly stock engine though.

I am thinking of installing one on my Formula, as I also have heard people talk about how well they work.

One question: will an MSD box help to lower emissions by burning more of the fuel/air mixture?

Compared to a properly functioning stock ignition system? Probably not much, if at all.

Really? Guess I am kind of surprised. Thought those hotter, multiple sparks would increase efficiency. Good to know, though, so thanks.

Those multiple sparks each have a tiny duration, compared to the loooong burning spark from a stock system.

never really knew why but of all my changes, including headers/ runners, cat back, etc. not one of them that the noticable scale of performance that my msd steup had. had the whole exsudt done at one time, yea i was moving a bit more, the drive shaft mod had a great affect too, but after the msd stuff, night and day!

went thru 2 msd 6a's, they do work but with an upgraded coil and an accel module the difference is not noticeable- the real factor for me is reliability now the less systems the better.

it could possibly help in a situation like that
another cheater trick is cut the electrode off the plug or run a really large gap
those tricks used to help too

A properly working good condition factory hei system will work just as good or better then any aftermarket system you will bolt on to your drivetrain in stock configuration.

unless you are racing or have a vehicle with serious modifications in need of a specific use they aren't worth the money.

I have always liked MSD components. I am about to install my new 6AL to go with my Blaster 2 GM HEI coil and my MSD ignition module.

whats the part number on the wiring lit

Is the accel 300+ any good?
Is ti the same as the MSD?
How does it compare to the MSD?

Thanks,

Ditto on that; Does anyone actually know if there's any comparison at all? If the books only mention the MSD, and this board is full of people using it, somewhere there must be info on why it's so much more popular than the ACCEL? Nitro

Accel stuff is a little cheaper in my opinion, I have not had luck with their stuff in the past. MSD is more for high performance application rather than stock replacement. MSD makes alot more stuff and makes higher quality stuff. I have never had a problem with any MSD component in the 10 years I have been using them.

If I'm right from what I have read about MSD you need a 6AL for your car, not a 6A. The 6AL is meant to be used with your ECM. The 6A is to be used without a ECM or PCM

Is there enough slack with the msd harness?

No, there's no difference between the 6A and 6AL, other than the 6AL has the built-in rev limiter. Either one works with or without an ECM.

1.The 6AL has a bad a$$ soft touch rev control... very sweet...
2. It will have some effect on emissions... better combustion
3. Too large of a gap can foul plugs
4. even though an MSD box will give you a better spark and combustion, it can be a little harder on your plugs(i.e... you may have to change them more often.
5. the wiring harness part number is #8876