Hello everybody, Top o' the mornin' to ya.
I am an old skool rodder at heart. my friends and I have been building Hot Rods for a while now. We get a car and we cant leave it stock for long.

We start swapping bigger hot motors, add headers, a big cam, aluminum intake, killer carburetor "I am a carter afb man", mallory or msd ignition system, dual exhaust with sweet mufflers, traction bars, possi rear end. panhard bar traction bar, Ya know the works.

I recently picked up an 85' T-Top Trans-Am with power everything and fully loaded. According to the vin its a 305 L89 with a 4 speed, posi rear, 4 wheel disk, 16" GTA Wheels and tuned port injection.

I changed out the junk wires and plugs for Bosch +2's and 8.5mm MSD wires. I also added an msd #8401 kit and an Ecoil 50,000 volt external coil. I had a bug to work out with the 8401 kit, but I got that fixed and set the timing at 2' degrees btdc. I pulled the air box assembly and jerked the 2 screens in the maf and she purrs like a kitten.

I purchased a Gm heavy duty ignition box and matching soft touch rev limiter
part # 10037378
part # 10037379

Its an industrial strength msd 6A designed for gm nascar and IMCA vehicles.
I ran all the wiring and plugged it all in right, no mickey mouse ****, and I got zilch.

I contacted the msd tech's and I was told this box isnt compatible with my ignition system because, the box doesn't have a points lead to plug into the system. The dude was an arrogant *** and wouldn't explain it to me in plain english.

Is there really any reason to go with an msd in the TA ??. The ignition system is computer controlled and the timings regulated by the knock sensor anyway. I like the multiple spark idea and a better fuel burn, but that new coil is hella hot now with the new plugs and wires.

If so, what box do I need. Can someone point me to how it ties into the ignition system.

If not I'll turn my attention to headers, dual exhaust and a cold air kit. I might get froggy and chip it too.

I am just wondering if I am wasting time with an msd, since its computer controlled anyway.

any input would be appreciated guys, Thanks !!!

 

I wouldnt waste my time or money with one. Especially if you dont already have the headers, exhaust, and/or CAI.

 

+1

And like I said in the other thread, I've had bad luck with aftermarket ignition stuff. MSD and Accel churn out a lot of unreliable chinese garbage - not all of it you know, but a fair amount of it.

Ignition is one of those things I would work on only if I was turning over 5500 RPMs regularly. Which isn't extremely high, but most stock or mildly modded engines in our cars dont make power to that point anyway. At high RPMs ignition work will pay off, but if your engine is otherwise mostly stock I'd get some headers or a nice catback.

The HEI isnt the best ignition system in the world by any means, but it's definitely one the better factory ignition systems.

 

so yall really thing the 6A is junk???? ...... i have a few freinds with it and love it

as for the O.P. WTF i dont get it a points lead, isnt that for points ignitions, and you got HEI, no points so im lost

another question, how the heck are you getting bosch plugs to run right on a HEI, i have never had any luck with bosch on my HEI's

 

No, but stock and close-to-stock engines don't need it.

 

the magnetic pick up in the base of the distruibtor is more than likely what they are talking about it sends the signal to the igniton module to charge/discharge the coil that is where it would plug in you disconect the module and run it straight to the box then from the box to the coil if its not set up for that style then you may need a crank trigger for it to work.

 

i put a msd 6al on mine i like it a lot made a lot of diff like night and day for me but i had to buy the harness be for it to work on mine tho

 

I think I'll probally hold off on the msd for awhile. As far as running bosch plugs go, the msd #8401 kit made the difference with the E-coil 50,000 volt coil. I am 6' 1" 220 lbs, I got bit by the coil and it lit my kester up, my arm about went numb.

I do have a dual cat back exhaust and a decent cam of some kind. I think I am gonna cold air kit it, and move my battery in the back "trunk". I was under it today trying to figure out how to run the pos cable to the solenoid.

The main thing I'll have to figure out is how to set it up, so when I kill the master power switch, the car dies. I don't want it to stay running on the alternator.

Got any suggestion's ? Got any suggestions on running the battery cable to the starter ?, Might be easier to run it through the car, through the firewall and tie it into the existing battery cable. Or to a distribution block to tie everything into ?.

Thanks guys