I was thinking of upgrading the ignition system of my 87 Iroc w/ 350 TPI. I was looking on summit and came up with a system that looks fairly easy to install and is plug and play. What do you guys think of this setup? Is it worthe it?

MSD Ignition control - Either MSD 6AL Model 6420 or the MSD 6 Digital Plus
MSD Cap and Rotor Kit
MSD Wires 8mm
MSD Wire Harness
MSD Coil 8226

 

You don't need the ignition control.

 

It was worth 2 tenths in the 1/4 when I did it. I was running something in the upper 11's at the time.

 

There's a big difference between putting it on an 11 second car and a 15 second car.

 

That's why I included that the car was already running high 11's, as it didn't really seem to do much when I put the old 305 back in at the end of last year.

 

On Allen's '89 GTA, on his previous engine, the MSD 6A and coil made a 2 horsepower difference over the stock coil and ignition. That was at 330 RWHP running high 12's.

We dynoed it with the MSD, then changed back to stock and dynoed again. It lost 2 horsepower. Then we put the MSD back on, and it gained the 2 horsepower back.

 

im considering msd too, 2questions. does msd bypass your ignition module? how reliable is it, i heard it could leave u stranded beside the road?

 

The MSD box will become your new ignition module. I can't say much for the MSD unit, but I think there are better ones out there. I run the crane cams version of the msd, and it has been great for bout 3 years running. Actually my ignition box, coil and wires are crane cams. I know Summit has their own box out too in the last year or so that might even have more features/functionality than the msd and crane cams box.

 

If you're keeping computer control, the MSD works in conjunction with your ignition module. It can't really keep you stranded since you can easily switch back if you need to.

 

A waste of money and a compromise in durability for near stock and mild street. I only run it for the stronger spark and ignition retard capability when I'm running nitrous. For naturally aspirated operation, I revert to stock ignition to save wear on the other ignition components and for better reliability. None of those brands of boxes are as reliable as your stock system.

 

Actually i just installed a 6A box last night on my 91 rs with a 350 tpi nothing facny just headers and exhaust, i was actually surprised seeing how everyine told me dont bother on a stock car as soon as i cut the car one i had a better throttle response, i already had an msd cap and rotor as well as wires and well the box was free since i had it sitting from one of me previous projects, doubt it will make my car any faster but for free and a 30 min install not bad(plus it looks cool pointing out a red box to the gf for bragging lol) n