im considering buying a MSD multi spark box for my TPI car. a 6 AL or something. im considering it mainly for the increase in MPGs that it might offer. I would like to hear from other members who have used this on a otherwise stock car. how did it do? were there other parts that had to be bought to realize its potential? did you get any better MPGs?:

 

Nope waste of money.
Good tune clean fuel filter proper tire pressure etc and hope for the best.

MSD are not magic

If you have a power adder forced induction or a large by huge cam there can be a small benefit..I use one due to a cam with 81 deg overlap...and a rev limiter. One day it will let me down lol.

HEI and a good coil cant beat it for reliability.

 

I have a full MSD ignition in mine and I like it. I think it's worth it. Just my personal opinion though.

 

I have one on my TPI and one on my L31 Vortec engine. BOTH are worth it to me. Adding the MSD along with a slightly wider plug gap gave me a smoother idle in both and a noticeable increase in both low-end torque and throttle response. In both applications I was able to remove some fuel out of the VE/MAF tables due to a more complete burn.

 

Iv hit the rev limiter in my box a bunch of times-

part# 8xxx BIG blaster TPI coil is worth it on its own too

 

I looked into this as well. The consensus seems to be that if it's a daily driver and/or you mount it under the hood, that the reliability of them is pretty bad. Numerous people report having them die within a year. Mounting them under the dashboard or under the seats removes the high heat aspect and prolongs life. Not being a daily driver helps too.

Mileage gain? Anywhere from 0 to 2 mpg.

I ultimately replaced everything ignition wise, but did not buy an MSD. Just went for a stock AC Delco coil and MSD cap/rotor. MSD plug wires, AC Delco sparkplugs.

 

seems kinda puny to me. the only good place to mount it IS under the hood! but thanks guys. looks like ill just keep it stock. not worth the hassle for one year and over 3 bills at that.

 

I've had my MSD-6AL in my daily driver IROC for about 10 yrs now, mounted under the hood, never had a problem, it's been rock-solid reliable. I also used the (optional) MSD 8876 wiring harness that adapts it to the factory dual-connector coil, made the installation wiring super-simple. yeah, you still have to crawl under the car and hook up the hot wire at the starter.

'90 IROC 5.7L TPI

 

PepBoys has a 25% off online orders sale that ends today...
Pep25 is the code
I paid $179 form y MSD 6AL with Rev limiter 6425 (newer design, digital)
And about $35 for my 8226 GM Coil...
Out the door with tax $229, normally the MSD box itself is $239

I applied for a $25 rebate from MSD they are running through September, then I went to Square Trade and used a 40% off coupon for a 3 year warranty on the MSD Box too...

With Warranty minus Rebate, $232

I had a Digital 6 and coil before and it smoothed out the idle had plenty of power at high rpm...

 

Not worth the money on a stock car.There quality has gone down over the years.Had one a couple years back,it lasted 6 months.Tried the new digital Crane box. Again that one lasted about 6 months.A part that says made in America only has to have 75% of the parts actually made in America to be considered made in America.That's the law.

 

remember..GM also had MSD make boxes for them..and they do work... this is just 1. of many diff ones..


this one on ebay is still under $120 for the nexed few hrs


good deal...


GM did alot of biss with MSD.. and they still do..

 

Iv got the digital box, the plug n play harness and the BIG coil. Ha all three for like a year or more, still going strong.

 

I have the complete opposite opinon, I wouldn't drive a distributor equipped vehicle that did not have some kind of hotter than stock spark setup.