I would like to ask those of you who are running a msd 6a or 6al box, what benefits you noticed(if any) after installing this product?

I have a maf tpi setup and all ignition components are new: Cap, rotor, plugs, wires and coil - now they are not perf. parts, they are just stock replacements, but new anyways. Now what I'm really looking to get out of this MSd box is better starting - see the car always starts but it just seems to crank a little excessively. I would like to have it just touch right off after turning the key- I have messed with the timing to correct this but the thing that suck is that once its running - it runs best where its at. Its really just this little starting issue thats annoying - and I may be just being **** about it, because it does start, but I just want it to start like as soon as the key is turned, not a few seconds later.

 

Quicker start ups, smoother idle/RPM response. You'll love it....

 

I had the 6a. Never actually saw a mileage increase, but I won't say it didn't help. Idle was the same. The starting didn't change. In fact, both times I've had starting issues, they happened within weeks of putting on the MSD box.

I've got a 6a for sale now if ya want it.

OK, to be fair, sometimes the car does start quicker, but not everytime. That and the fact the TPI just doesn't really NEED a multiple spark ignition have made me question using it. Mine is currently in the car, but it's not hooked up. I did however do the big 3 wiring upgrade and THAT has made a noticable starting up improvement!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The big three huh? We are talking about what here? I have heard people talk about different grounds and starting circuits but they are never really specific. See, my starter is working fine - it cranks great - it just takes it a minute to touch off.

Its strange that some people say they get good results from a msd box and others say they are a waste of money...

 

to the 'T'.

 

One thing first. Your Fuel pump relay is good right? that would rely on the oil pressure sensor. (slows starting till it see's pressure)to start...

Do you tune your one chips or ostrich? some factory programing, that i have seen, will wait a few pulse ref. (crank revs) before firing the injectors
(also slowing starting)

But I do agree with the rest....MSD box is always a plus...

 

No, I don't program my own chips.(wish I knew how and had the equipment).
I believe my fuel pump relay is good- I mean I hear the pump priming before I turn the engine over - so I would assume yes.

 

All I can say is that mine runs better with it than without it.

 

so what exactly is the "big three" upgrade and how do i do it? Also if anyone else out there has any input as to what benefits the msd box did for them I would love to hear it.

 

Couldnt agree more. It revs smoother everything. If your car has more than basic mods then this is a must, you will notice benifits stock as well. The ecms on these cars dont always give consistant starts, especially on 88 and prior with the cold start injector(useless).
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What he means by big three is upgrading you main power wires and ground wires. The factory wiring is small and leaves room for improvement.

 

As for the big 3, I used JL audio 4 gauge wire and gold ring terminals to go from motor to chassis, motor to battery, alternator to batter, and battery to chassis. OK, big 4.

 

Yes great idea. When I did my tpi swap I upgrade the main ground from the battery to the heads witha 2 gusge wire, tied all of the grounds to the same point, ran a 4 guage power wire, 140 amp alternator, with 10 guage to the alternaor, and I think 12 guage to the starter. I also grounded the ac bracket(being ****) haha.

 

Did you do from battery to starter?

 

Hmm.... I might try doing this. Where exactly are all of these wires - or should I say, where exactly do I add all of these wires?

 

Mike, I ran out of ring terminals, but yeah, I'm gonna go from battery to starter too.

As for where, it's actually pretty straight forward. There's a factory groundstrap that goes from the back of the passenger side head to the firewall. I cleaned up the metal on the firewall with a dremel, and simply replaced the OE wire with a pretty 4 gauge wire. Same thing for the others. I pretty much just replaced factroy wiring with the big 4 gauge wire, and used the dremel to make sure the connections were clean and bare. For the alternator to battery, I added, but did not replace the wiring. So now there's two wires, OE, and my new one. You can hardly see the OE one though.

.....I'm gonna get some pretty battery terminals too, but haven't got to that yet.

 

I removed the OE wire from the alternator when I did mine. I recently had to remake the wires due to moving the battery from the passenger side (TBI) over to the drivers side (TPI) when I put my SLP cold air kit in. I'm also using JLAudio top post battery connectors for both grounds from the battery and for the lines going to the starter, alternator and stereo distribution block. The positive side post still has the OE harness power wires connected to it.

 

i replace my ign with msd 6al, wires, and cap, distributor is new just a stock replacement from autozone and new plugs, i noticed a differnce from when i started the car iddle seemed better, better throttle response, somehow i have headers and flowmasters but during iddle i could just hear the car sound strong, the exhaust sound was awesome, dont know if that any indication of horsepower but it definetly sounds good, i have a few mods, dont know if msd will work best after you have your basic mods, or if it will help even if you have a stock car good luck

 

how hard is it to wire a mds 6al to a tpi motor? i'm thinking about getting it for the rev limiter. any info would be great. how many total wires to hook up? i haven't bought it yet.