MSD 6AL-2 or 6-BTM questions

[DeFreest]

I have a stock 87 930 except for a 1 Bar spring and a BL- WUR. This year I want to install a MSD system. Went through lots of posts of how well the 6AL-2 worked and wanted to know does anyone have experience with the 6-BTM? I want to know if the programmable features are the same with each. I like the feature that the 6-BTM has where you plug in a tube to monitor manifold pressure and the adjustable ignition retard by lbs of boost up to 15 deg. Just want to know which one, the 6AL-2 or the 6BTM, is best for the turbo? Want to be able to easily program the ignition curve to dial it in.
Thanks in advance.

[mark houghton]

Doesn't the 6AL-2 have provisions built into it for boost ignition retard to where you don't need the BTM? Me, I'm still using the old school non-programmable 6AL in conjunction with the 8762 BTM, with the boost retard being fully adjustable dependent upon boost ignition retard onset and the amount of ignition you want to shave off.

[kinein]

if you need a MSD BTM let me know i have one practically new for sale with booster coil and tach adapter.

[flat_6]

I am looking in the same thing at the moment and Mark you are correct. 6al-2 has a map input so you will need a map sensor to make this work

[cole930]

Here is a couple pics of my 6AL-2 installation. Really like the unit, easy
to install and program. You can program and save multiple timing curves
and down load them from your laptop. Easy to tweak a timing curve to
dial it in, hook up your laptop find a nice secluded stretch of road and tune
until you get what you want.

You can get 3 bar GM MAP and connector on Ebay pretty cheap. In my
photo you can see my 2 Map sensors mounted on the tub rail. Very easy
to do. I've got the MAP and connector part numbers around here
someplace if you need them.









Cole

[flat_6]

Cole, did you need the tach adapter? I read that it is not need if you use a solid rotor (no resistor built in).

[cole930]

No: I didn't need the tac adapter. I rewired around it and have
not pulled the wiring out yet.


Cole

[DeFreest]

cole930, OK so you use the MSD 6al-2? The one you can program with a lap top? Also why do you have 2 MAP sensors? Do you need 2 inputs? MSD just came out with the 6AL-2 digital programmable. Have to look at that one as well. Sort of confused with the 6AL-2's the old one not able to hook up to a lap top but the new digital one is? I'm guessing they both can use a MAP sensor.

Mark, The 6AL-2 does have provisions for a boost retard and I have just learned you need to hook up a MAP sensor, or two?

As always you guys are the best. Lots of knowledge on this board.

Cant wait to wake up the bottom end of the 930. On another note I didn't realize how much the timing is underutilized in a stock 930. Scary.

kinein, Thanks for the offer. Not sure yet but I think I'm leaning towards the 6AL-2. I'll let you know.

[cole930]

I thought I would post this for those considering adding a 6AL-2. I chose to
add a couple of terminal strips on the rear elec. panel to wire in the 6AL-2. I
reused the original panel plastic cover by spacing it out a little. I then added
a short piece constructed from an old evaporation canister to cover the added
terminal strips. This protects the wiring from getting wet.










Cole

[flat_6]

What blaster coil do you use? Part #
Or is there only one that will work for us?
Thanks.

[cole930]

Ok, to clear up some confusion here, there is only one 6AL-2 and it is
programmable. MSD first produced the 6AL which was a non programmable
ignition system that has been used on more street cars than any aftermarket
ignition ever made. 6 or 7 years ago MSD took the 6AL platform and designed
a new programmable version that was called the 6AL-2 Programable the
actual MSD model number of the 6AL-2 Programable is the Model 6530.

The original MSD 6AL was a stand alone ignition and there were components
you could buy like the BTM (boost timing master) that you could use with the
6AL to manually manipulate boost by setting abjustable knobs on the BTM.

The Model 6530 or MSD 6AL-2 Programmable is a completely new controller
that allows the user to program a timing curve and a boost curve with a
computer. A MAP sensor is required with the 6AL-2 Programmable so the
boost signal can be converted to 0-5 volt signal that the controller can use
to allow programming of a boost curve. So with the 6AL-2 you can program
a timing curve by degrees of timing and program boost by psi. This
combination of programmable timing and boost allows the user the ability
optomize timing for best performance while adjusting boost to contriol
detonation.

My coil is the MSD 8702 and is mounted on the fan housing where Porsche
originally had the stock coil. I did have to modify the bracket some to set the
MSD coil further down the fan housing.

Hope this helps everyone and I would suggest you go to the MSD web site
and download the MSD 6530 installation instructions as this will give you a
lot better understanding of how the 6AL-2 works.

"The Old Sled"




" The Go Fast"




" The Old School Cool"




" Nice Butt"




"The Office"





Cole

[DeFreest]

Well that settles it. #6530 MSD 6AL-2 it is. Along with 1 map sensor # 23121 and one Blaster SS coil #8207 Thanks cole930 and everyone else.

[oilonly]

Wow Cole I'm really liking you car.

[proffighter]

Very nice Cole, like your toy really

[cole930]

DeFreest:

Sorry I missed your question about why 2 Map Sensors. I actually have three.
One for boost to the MSD, one for an Innovate SSI-4 for logging and displaying
boost after test runs for tuning, and one for boost to my water/methanol
injection to control when to inject and when to stop injecting.

Oilonly and Roland:

Thanks so much for the complimnts and I know you guys can understand, I just love that old tub !!!!!

Cole