MSD..Yes or No?.....

[fred cook]

Ok folks, I'm getting close to plunking down my hard earned cash and buying an ignition system. The car this hardware is going on is a 1980 911SC. Right now my first choice is the MSD-6A or 6AL box to replace the Bosch CDI that went to the big electronic graveyard in the sky. The wiring looks pretty straight forward and no permanent changes are required. Like they say at a wedding, "Does anyone know of any reason this car and this electronic gizmo should not be joined in mechanical wedlock?"

All opinions and thoughts will be appreciated!

Thanks,

Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe (oops, already said that didn't I!)

[chuckw951]

Well the MSD would be more expensive than buying a used CD box. I sold one a while back for $125 or so. Easy to replace and you are back on the road.

[Lorenfb]

Pelican Parts has rebuilt Bosch CD units. You can find them by doing a Pelican
search under "cd rebuilt". The Search box is at the bottom of the Porsche
Page.

Replacing the Bosch CD is a much easier approach than rewiring for
a different unit, e.g. hookup, & tach. The performance difference is
insignificant.

[blue82coupe]

You can purchase an MSD 6AL from Summit Racing for about 200.00 Dollars. In my opinion It's a worthwhile investment. Dan

[Rouxzy]

Performance differance is insignificant? Obviously you haven't switched from the original to an MSD. I did and the engine idles much better, and runs and has more power in the lower end of the rpm scale. I will agree that top end will not be changed but the lower end will show a significant differance. Buying a used CD is just that, it's used and may quit on you the next day. These of course are just my own personal experiences. Do a search here and you'll find that going the MSD route is worth it.
Tom

[blue82coupe]

Ditto

[pwd72s]

Here we go again! FWIW, I've chosen to remain with the factory CD unit....but MSD fans are MSD fans because Permatune has so many drawbacks...

[A Quiet Boom]

Well the 6al gives you the "soft touch rev limiter" which most engine builders will tell you is a very nice thing to have. I run a 6al on my SC engine along with an MSD programmable timing computer and locked out advance in the distributer, make for a very nice setup.

[47silver]

i have the msd and after i installed a pertronix and never (knock on wood) have trouble starting the car.

the po put the msd in and i put the pertonix....

no experience with the bosch.

gary

[Steve W]

Originally posted by A Quiet Boom
Well the 6al gives you the "soft touch rev limiter" which most engine builders will tell you is a very nice thing to have. I run a 6al on my SC engine along with an MSD programmable timing computer and locked out advance in the distributer, make for a very nice setup.

Soft touch - sounds like a good thing for the rod bolts

[dhoward]

Very happy with my MSD.

[RoninLB]

you may need a tach adaptor. and if you have ignition noise with the MSD let me know.

I also re-wired the whole stock cocky poo ignition system.
I posted the job last Oct or Nov.. it's pretty wild.

[Howard M]

I, too, am happy with my MSD + Pertronix ('76 911S). Easier starting and smoother idle. I don't think you need the Pertronix because of your magnetic "points" (my year was the last for conventional points). If you go MSD, also plan on the MSD High Vibration Coil and think about new ignition wires too (Magnecor), because of the higher voltage resulting from the larger plug gap allowed. The only semi-challanging part of the MSD installation is the adapter plate needed to mount the MSD unit onto the (smaller) original CD footprint. Make one out of cardboard and then reproduce it in 3/16 aluminum. You may also have to move the accumulator, slightly. I also recommend the dial programmable MSD rev limiter, rather than the individual, single RPM "pills". Have fun, it's a rewarding project to do yourself.

Howard

[Howard M]

I forgot to mention, you DON'T need a tach adapter. Don't use the MSD tach signal output to your tach. Continue to use your points output wire to signal your tach AND as the input signal for the MSD box. In other words, don't break the points output wire, just "tee" into it to provide the input signal to the MSD box.

[H20911]

I went with crane cames High 6 and pulled an MSD 6al out.

http://www.cranecams.com/?show=msdCrossReference

Do what you want.




I use this one and it has many more features than the MSD.

http://www.cranecams.com/pdf/90006400a.pdf

[al lkosmal]

i have the MSD6A an pertronix ignitor installed on my 77S. works great!!!. I noticed that Mallory now has a unit that appears to be an MSD clone. I.E same bolt pattern, for approx $100. no experience with the Malory but $100.......worth a try.

[hugo454]

electromotive, nothing beats getting rid of the distributor,cap & rotor.

[JackT]

I thought the benfit of the MSD was the higher RPM's on pre 911SC's. At least on 911SC's and up there does not seem to be any benefit. It may idle smoother with the MSD, but I do not see how it would perform better than stock up to red line on a 911SC and up.

[avendlerdp]

I just went through this on my 1970 T. I still am firing the MSD with points though. The performance increase at low rpm's was VERY significant. The Msd is true to it's name and fires multiple sparks with each cycle. This really helps ignite the mixture at idle and off idle. It was super east to install as well. Considering that you can spend $200 on a shift boot this seems like a Porsche bargain.

Alex

[jmz]

MSD, great with a car with carbs but why would you really need it on a properly tuned stock CIS car?