permatune vs msd?
 

looking to upgrade my ignition can anyone tell me which ignition would be a better choice for a 83sc which is stock with you know the basic stuff like k/n filter and bursch exhaust?? thks for any answers or suggestions...

You have kind of a shot gun question.

Let me say there are threads showing how to hook up a Pertronix ignitor kit and MSD, and I think this set-up requires a new blaster coil too.

Ignition choices....
 

Since you have an SC with the breakerless distributor, go with the MSD and matching (high vibration) coil. I have this same setup on my '80 SC and it works well. You can wire the MSD into the master plug using male connectors so that you won't have to cut or splice any wires in the stock harness.

If you'll do a search here on MSD and early_s_man Warren Hall, you'll understand that there is still some debate about MSD vs. stock....

I installed a MSD 6 with a Blaster SS coil not long ago on my 83SC. No regrets at all. Seems like I've seen more posts about Pertronixs issues than MSD. The MSD wiring can be a bit confusing but several posts on here have good info to answer almost any question.

Re: Ignition choices....
 

Guess I just learned something. I thought it would have to be an 1986 (EFI) or later for that- what do I know.:D

Here's a pic of my install

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1127932847.jpg

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I don't like MSD or Permatune. I've heard that the SC's especially don't work well with the MSD systems, particularly in the lower RPM range. My Permatune unit eventually failed. In my humble view, there is no better or more reliable system than the stock Bosch ignition unit.

Thanks for your help with my points problem last year RoninLB. Guess I didn't want to see this guys question go ignored for long.

Better a bad answer, than no answer at all on this board. ;)

MSD

You might -- might -- get a tad smoother running with msd. I'd just stick with the stock Bosch ignition.

Search on msd for a fun 26 days of thread reading...

Stay stock unless you have to change. My engine came with no box or wiring harness so it was sinply and cheap to go with msd. It works fine (just tested it on bench and working great)

Listen to the man.....

The best setup is a pre-74 911 with stock ignition.....geeesh.

Yes, the Bosch is reliable, but even they fail. If you want a more affordable solution, which in some accounts is just as good, go for the Permatune or the MSD. Me? I went with MSD in my 80SC and had no issues, and infact, it ran better. Now, I did have to replace the wires and coil as well, so it's hard to know "what" made the car run better. I guess I do not understand why some folks say MSD does not work as well and other swear by it.

True - but re-read the original post. He does NOT say his stock ign. failed. Instead he wants to "upgrade."

But there is not much upgrade to be had. Even twin-plugging isn't going to help much unless the whole engine is gone thru...

"looking to upgrade my ignition can anyone tell me which ignition would be a better choice for a 83sc which is stock"

There's NO real technical basis, as claimed by some, for other ignition systems over
a stock Bosch CDI.

For some technical info, read here ( www.systemsc.com/technical.htm ) under
Ignition Systems.

stock Bosch CD is a great reliable unit.

I would personally stick to the stock Bosch unit and definitely not go with the Permatune unit.

My personal one car experience is this: Bought a 78 SC from a So Cal dealer and it soon began stalling on drives. I believe it originally had an MSD unit. The dealer replaced the CD unit with a Permatune, the alternator, plug wires, distributor cap and a few other odds and ends. It ran OK for awhile (500 miles?), but soon started stalling again. By that time it was out of warranty and I took it to another mechanic who suggested I replace it with a Bosch CDI. I was too cheap to take his advice and put in another Permatune. It started stalling again, and I tried various other fixes, such as having some of the ignition related wiring replaced. The car continued to stall.

I took it to another mechanic recommended by several others and he insisted it was the CD unit and suggested I replace it myself with a Bosch unit. I purchased a rebuilt Bosch unit from a Porsche supply house in Florida, and it's run great for almost 3000 miles now. I should mention that the last mechanic also identified that part of the distributor was frozen stuck and wasn't changing the spark advance. So that may have been a factor in the early demise of the Permatune units (not my area of expertise...), but I wouldn't give Permatune another chance myself.


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MSD