has anyone had an increase in performance using the MSD,Accell, Jacobs, etc.?

 

It is something that really helps, especialy if you'll be doing future(or have done)more mods. But it's not something youl notice by the seat of your pants...

 

I keep track of my mileage at each fillup. I noticed a slight increase, about .5 mpg, when I installed the Jacobs on the 396. Later I realized I did this at the same time the area went from oxygenated winter gas to summer gas. Since all my vehicles mileage goes down in the fall and jumps up in the spring, I don't think the Jacobs had anything to do with the increase.

But, it does idle smoother and I haven't had a misfire since putting it on. So, long term, it probably helps.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car. Rescued w/86 LG4/TH700R with all harnesses, sensors, ECM, etc. 3.08 open, cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LB9 w/ZZ3 cam, World 305 heads, exhaust, paint, etc.).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. Currently 396 .030 over, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

 

On a naturally aspirated low to mild compression ratio engine you will not notice any significant (if any) gains, unless there is something wrong with your ignition in the first place. At best you might get a couple Hp from running a bigger spark plug gap.
...ed

 

I did notice a difference when I added an msd coil and later when I added the digital 6. The coil made it start a lot quicker and I think the idle was better but maybe I imagined that. The digital 6 definately made a difference. It's probably overkill(probably?) but my car starts with no problems now and it idles better at a lower speed than it did without. I haven't been able to try this yet but the box was a start retard and I think that with my 15 degrees initial timing a hot start will be real hard and the start retard should help that out. I'll find out soon enough. Another thing I like about it is that it has a 2 step rev limiter. It's not hooked up yet but it will be useful for burnouts and when someone else drives my car. In retrospect a 6al would have been just as good.

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi

 

personally i dont like msd at all, unnotacable change, burn up easily, etc.. although im now running a mallory hy-fire unit that im completely happy with..