I have a 1989 camaro 2.8MPI V6 w/ 5-speed tans.
I was thinking about getting an ignition system.

How good are MSD ignition system?

Does anyone else make good ignition systems?

And where can I purchase it?

Akshay

 

yea, MSD makes goods stuff and a wide variety of stuff. i am personally running all MSD and have not had a single problem. I have the MSD GM blaster coil, and custom cut a set of 8.5mm superconducter wires. I am personally a fan of their wires, since they offer the least resistance per foot of wire. but you will pay a pretty $$ for them too. another company i have heard alot about is Accell. but i have never used any of their products. to buy, check out summitracing.com or any local speed shop.

 

Purchase everything through http://www.summitracing.com ! (I call their #, 1-800-230-3030 with my part #s.) If you don't see a part listed, call and ask for a part #, they carry everything for much cheaper than locally.

But have you done any ignition work yet? A full MSD box won't help your car out much at all. I got my MSD 6AL because I was running out of bolt-on's. I have the MSD 6AL box, Blaster SS coil, 8.5mm SuperConductor wires, GM rotor/cap, and I rebuilt my distributor.

I had looked at Holley's Annihilator, Crane's box, Accel's box, etc- but decided to stick with the "time proven" MSD.

Have you done any ignition work yet?? If not, I'd suggest a good set of spark plug wires first. You can get a set of Accel 8mm's for $30, or can get the MSD wires. I buy mine in the "universal cut-to-fit" sets, and I buy the V8 sets, so I have 2 plug wires left over. (Hey, every 3rd set becomes a "free" v6 set!) A test between my MSD wires and cheap stock 7mm wires showed that the MSD wires seemed to help the engine rev "faster" and "easier".

Next, I'd suggest an aftermarket spark coil. You don't have to get one of the direct-plug-in-for-GM-remote-dual-connector coil. You can run any two-wire coil on our 4-wire system (and if you want, I'll tell you how). This enables you to upgrade to a new coil, but leave the old coil in- in case you ever get stranded on the road, you can try plugging the old coil in to see if that's the problem. A seat-of-the-pants test between my stocker and my old Accel remote HEI "computerized" Supercoil made it feel like the Accel coil gave me more power in higher RPM's.

You can also rebuild your distributor. It's not hard at all. There's a few pieces in there, and if you search (click on the search button in the upper right of the screen, or just click here: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/search.php ) the V6 Forum for "distributor", you'll find a ton of messages about them. You should make the gap equal between the reluctor and all the pole pieces. Replace the pick-up coil- and there's nothing "performance" about such a piece, so you can get the $12 stock replacement from Pep Boys. Think about replacing the module with Holley #891-103 for $60 from Summit; that's the same price a "stock" module goes for. By doing that rebuild, your car will feel stronger right away- I guarantee it!

Here's the link for the Holley module- http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLin...A/891-103.html If you go to SummitRacing.com to check the price, put a "HLY-" in front of the part #.

And then, later, you can get an MSD 6-series box. By adding the MSD 6AL box, I noticed no real change in performance. It seems there's a bit more power at low-mid RPM's, but that could be my imagination. Also, my car used to start after 1/2 second when I turned the key, now it seems to take 3/4 second. Oh well. I assume the "faster starting" claim is for an old points-ignition equipped motor.

 

Thanks.
I think I'll purchase the MSD ignition system through Kragen Auto Parts.
Currently I don't have any aftermarket ignition system.

After I checked out the MSD web site, I'm thinking about purchasing the ignition, coil, and probably the distributor.

And I want to get the K&N air filters.

Akshay

 

If you order through Kragen, you'd end up paying about 10% more than you should, just some food for thought.

 

Yeah; Summit wants $195 for the MSD 6AL, and $150 for the MSD 6. Oh, and there's no distributor available for our cars, by the way. Your only bet is to rebuild yours, which is good, because it's also cheaper. And with the Holley module, it'd be better than buying a pre-rebuilt one.

 

Tom,

Some parts stores do carry rebuilt and new distributors for the 2.8 and 3,1's. There are just hard to find, but I do second the Holly ignition module. I picked one up back in July or Aug. It does every thing they say it does. Smother idle, better throttle respones, ETC. I plan on getting an entire ignition system from Holly. After installing it I found that I could gap my plugs at .050 and get a little more go out out of my car.

 

I have the Accel 200+ box and MSD Coil. I love the MSD product line and when I replace my accel box I am going MSD. Was it worth it to do the ignition mods, yes. It helped it rev faster but that was it.. It set me up for a later nitrous kit.

 

BitchinRS, yeah, I know, but why replace a working distributor with a "new" or "rebuilt" distributor, and (A) waste all that money, (B) get a stock unit when you could upgrade the current one for less?

And I thought he was going to get an aftermarket (as in, MSD or Accel) distributor for our cars. They don't make one... but MSD does make one for the I-4 2.3l Mustang 4banger. Go figure.

 

195 for a 6al i paied 150 for mine from PAW

 

Tom,

Ahhh misunderstanding on my part.

They make them for the four bangers, but not for a six?!?!?!? Thats stupid!!

 

And a Mustang, no less! You'd think MSD would at least make a cap/rotor for us!