MSD ignition

[Juice It 10]

Is there a big benefit to changing to a newer ignition like an MSD and what exactly do they do over the stock unit I now have? I thought they just helped the car fire a little faster but a quick look at their site and I see a ton of different ones. Can anyone describe to me in laymans terms the benefits, negatives?

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

[bnickel 10,004]

smoother idle, better MPG, more power due to hotter spark, lower emissions, more complete combustion of fuel/air mixture

[69RavenConv 286]

....and no points to gap.

[Juice It 10]

Do most people go this route or stay stock? Is there a specific one that is best for a 351W?

[69RavenConv 286]

If your stock distributor and coil are in good shape, the Pertronix system is hard to beat. For less than $100 bucks you get virtually maintenance-free electronic ignition. If you're building a street machine or resto-mod, and you don't care about appearances, then a full-blown aftermarket ignition system may work better for you. I'm probably more of a purist, keep-it-stock kind of guy than most who post here, and I went with Pertronix without hesitation.

 

Bottom line, if you're a concours, show points kind of guy, keep it stock.

If you're building a daily driver/weekend cruiser, do a Pertronix upgrade at a minimum.

If you're going high-performance, look into the higher-end stuff.

My 2 cents.

[coz 108]

Also offers a rev limiter..... I have the MSD setup with an AL-6 box, Blaser II coil and MSD dizzy. Works well. Only drawback for me is the height of the dizzy in relation to the shaker scoop.

 

MSD's website will list the dizzy's available for a 351W. They even offer ones where the rev limiter is built in.

[Juice It 10]

Also offers a rev limiter..... I have the MSD setup with an AL-6 box, Blaser II coil and MSD dizzy. Works well. Only drawback for me is the height of the dizzy in relation to the shaker scoop.

 

MSD's website will list the dizzy's available for a 351W. They even offer ones where the rev limiter is built in.

 

 

Since I am a newbie to the muscle car world this post is Greek to me. What is a dizzy and what does it do? Bottom line for me is my car starts ok, some times it takes 2 tries but seems to run fine. Would I benefit from any MSD or similar products or leave well enough alone.

 

Thanks,

[coz 108]

Dizzy = distributor... the thing in the front of the engine with the eight little wires coming out of it going to those little sparky things.... the ninth wire is explained below...

 

AL-6 - A MSD model number for one of their popular ignition boxes

 

Blaster II coil - nothing special here - just the coil (the 9th little wire goes here).

 

rev limiter - a chip or other device that stops you from blowing up the engine by over-revving the engine.

[Juice It 10]

Thanks. Just never heard the term dizzy but know what all the stuff is. I am green but not that green!:biggrin: Thanks for the info.

[coz 108]

Just having some fun with ya.... Welcome to the forum by the way....

[Grabber70Mach 107]

Thanks. Just never heard the term dizzy but know what all the stuff is. I am green but not that green!:biggrin: Thanks for the info.

 

Where are you located in MD, I would have to look in the shop but I might have a used ignition setup if your interested.

[Juice It 10]

I am over in Potomac, how about you?

[Grabber70Mach 107]

Southern MD, Indian Head.