I got an msd 6al box. hooking it up in an 86 iroc with hei vacuum advance distributor and a carb. hooked everything up except for the red wire that the book says need to go to the key connector. I'm assuming it's under the dash, I think I found it but want to be 100% sure, can someone post a pic of one please? I know i could hook this wire to a hot at key turn wire, but I'm trying to bypass pretty much the entire original electrical, except for lights (there is a reason for this, but it's kind of a long story) any help would be appreciated thank you!

 

The ignition power will be pink, at the distributor, or if you want you can go to the ignition switch.

 

yes I am aware. I wish to hook it to the key connector as it says in the directions. The directions show it plugging directly into a connector. thank you keep the advice coming!

 

The connector it would be showing would be an adapter harness that plugs into the existing underhood wiring.

Personally I find those harness unnecessary. A simple splice into the correct wire is a great connection when soldered, and more reliable than any plug in connector.

 

That connector shown in the MSD install paperwork is NOT there.
You have to install it yourself.
In any case the pink wire that went to your old coil goes straight back to the key so you won't be saving anything by taking a different path

 

that's the goal; to have directly to the key. which wire under the dash should I look for? is it in a harness with a plug or by itself? I rewired the car, but it was quite some time ago. there was a thick red wire that has a grey plug and goes out to the engine bay, is that it? also do I leave the factory battery plug at the distributor unhooked? thanks guys!

 

sorry i was reading that on about 4 hours of sleep for about 6 days, brains not working.... anyways, so what you're saying is to hook that wire labeled "to key connector" directly the the red or pink wire that would normally plug into the spot labeled "bat" on distributor, and that wire goes directly to they key? correct me if i'm wrong please

 

is what I said below correct then?

 

There is NO need to run a new wire to a connector off of the ign switch.
You have to find ANY IGN wire under the hood, dash and splice in to it. If you would look at your fuse block you'll also find a open spot that says "IGN", hook it there with a inline fuse or to make it simple, hook it up under the hood to the distributor/coil wire like they told you above.

 

yes I do realize this, however as stated in my first post i wish to hook it directly to the key for reasons I do not want to disclose. I was asking the one guy if the wire that goes to the distributor that says battery goes directly to the ignition switch, as that is what I gathered from his response. thank you.

 

There is no wire directly on the key. Thats what everyone is telling you.

There is one down lower on the columns ign switch.
It is maybe 4inches away from your fuse block (which would be easier to use and is labeled "ign").

 

ok cool the one that goes to the fuse block does have a connector holding into the block. just pull the connector out and hook it to the wire?

 

Correct Goes straight back to the Ign switch
See below
Small cap dual connector , remote coil is shown but wiring the same on coil in cap HEI

 

thanks everyone!! where would be a good place to mount the box? msd says not to mount it in a confined space like glovebox, but ive heard of people burning theirs up from being in engine bay. would it get enough ventilation behind dash? I don't want to mount it in the engine bay by all that heat, but at the same time I dont want it in the car where anyone can walk by and see it. I appreciate all the help I really do!

 

Mine is hidden in plain sight.

 

wow thats sweet! so you must have the battery in the "trunk" like I do! what if someone steals your battery?!?!? lol. it doesnt get to hot in the bay? I was thinking about maybe putting mine under the passenger seat

 

so the terminal labeled "bat" on the cap just stays open? and this to key connector wire plugs into that thick reddish pink wire?