MSD6AL on a Protomotive 3.2 Turbo

[charlesbahn]

I posted this a while back on the regular tech forum- thought it might be helpful here as well. My purpose is twofold:

1. I still don't know why it made such a difference, would appreciate any thoughts from the turbo experts.

2. It solved an annoying problem and thought others might benefit.

My car is not a stock 3.2, it has a Protomotive turbo system (stage 1 with intercooler). I love the car, but over the past year it just hasn't been quite right at the lower RPM range. I tried all of the usual things and just couldn't find the problem.

I still don't know the answer, but the problem is resolved. I decided I had nothing to lose but a little time and $ and decided to put a MSD 6AL ignition system on my 3.2. The installation was simple, took about an hour and did it as described here Thx BCAWAY!):

MSD6AL on Carrera 3.2 engine ???

The only difference is I hooked up the big 12V + red wire to the top fuse in the engine bay fuse panel. This way it is fused close to the device and I don't have a long unfused 12V wire running to the starter. I installed the "blaster" coil in the same place as the stock coil, and mounted the MSD box to the firewall. I did put in a 7000 RPM rev pill and modified the MSD box so it is 6 and not 8 cylinder as per the instructions. I did not need the optional tach attachment. I increased the gap of the plugs to .045."


Holy Moly! what a difference. The engine is butter smooth across the entire RPM band. I wish I knew why it helped because I know on a 3.2 with motronic this is not supposed to be needed. But I'm here to tell you, it sure improved the performance of my car!

P.S. The wires are Magnecors

[raceman]

Good job Charles. l added the same MSD 6AL to my 1984 3.2L well before l decided to do the turbo conversion. l noticed an immediate improvement in off idle throttle response as well as overall a cleaner running motor. Under boost the need for strong ,fat spark is even more crucial, the MSD is the way to go,a magneto would be the only other stronger spark ignition system in my opinion. A magneto isn`t really appropriate for a FI turbo motor though because of retard requirements but what a Mag does do that is awesome is that the faster it spins the stronger the spark gets.

[juicersr]

Charles, can you post that link again? The one above doesnt seem to work. I have been having some of the same issues on my 84 Carrera, and have a 6AL lying around waiting to be installed.

[Helmsy]

Maybe this tech article:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_MSD_install/mult_MSD_install.htm

[charlesbahn]

Glad to hear it's not just my imagination;

Link is fixed

MSD6AL on Carrera 3.2 engine ???

[slow&rusty]

What are those 4 copper wires that you can see coming through your IC core?

Yasin

[930gt-40r]

Nice install- I could never understand why some would want to run the stock CDI ever again once I installed my MSD in my 930 when it was CIS. The car ran like a dream and it also cleans up any (most) hydro-carbon issues you may have at emisions..

[charlesbahn]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

What are those 4 copper wires that you can see coming through your IC core?

Yasin

Good eye! They support two Spal fans under the IC that suck fresh air through the IC. they are wired to the old engine bay heater fan activated by the two levers between the seats. I adjusted the microswitches so if you pull them up just slightly, the fans under the intercooler come on. It's pretty effective.

[raceman]

The IRC series cars use a high pressure intercooler water misting sytem to reduce core temps quick by spraying liquid (water/alcohol/etc) on the outside of the intercooler. These systems are fired by power switch or automatic thermo switch with activation. Pretty cool(hehehe) mod that can be done really cheaply and when done right can be very effective= + HP.
Those copper wires reminded me of the sprayer systems...

[charlesbahn]

Originally Posted by 930gt-40r

Nice install- I could never understand why some would want to run the stock CDI ever again once I installed my MSD in my 930 when it was CIS. The car ran like a dream and it also cleans up any (most) hydro-carbon issues you may have at emisions..

Actually, I flunked MD emissions before I installed the MSD6AL. In MD, if you spend about $300 and have receipts for eligible repairs you can get a waiver if you flunk a second time.

I figured I'd install the MSD6AL along with receipts I already had for wires etc. and if I flunked the second time, I'd get the waiver. But I passed. Nothing else changed between the first and second try except the MSD6AL, so for emissions purposes, it was also helpful.

[930gt-40r]

Originally Posted by charlesbahn

Actually, I flunked MD emissions before I installed the MSD6AL. In MD, if you spend about $300 and have receipts for eligible repairs you can get a waiver if you flunk a second time.
I figured I'd install the MSD6AL along with receipts I already had for wires etc. and if I flunked the second time, I'd get the waiver. But I passed. Nothing else changed between the first and second try except the MSD6AL, so for emissions purposes, it was also helpful.

Oh hell yea it works haha- I was rebuilding my porsche in the middle of winter and also had to put my 200,000 mile chevy s-10 through emissions and it failed the first time due to too-much hydro-carbon. I went home that day and pulled the MSD out of the porsche- wired it in the 200,000 mile $hitbox- went back to emissions, and passed with half the HC reading. I was so happy.

[JMA-RUF]

A more powerful spark ignites the A/F mixture better and allows you to run a larger plug gap, further improving combustion.

I run a Crane HI-6 unit and I can run pretty large plug gaps due to the more powerful spark.