MSD & Nology wires

[larrym]

I'd like to know about your experiences and known tech factoids related to these 2 ignition systems

I have been running an MSD 6A on my 2.7RS for about 10 yrs; also have installed for about same period a set of Nology wires; I've vintage raced the thing all those years with no apparent problems. I run Solex cams & Weber 40's w 34vv.

I've discovered recent info suggesting that the 2 systems are not compatible; MSD says 'do not combine', but Nology said "no problem';

my reading of it all suggests that the MSD rapid-multi-spark function probably is incompatible with the required rise & saturation time of the Nology wires, and suspect that the Nology's can't keep up with the MSD below 3000rpm

my only long term observation is that the system combined as is EATS spark plugs - serious gap erosion occurs (BERU's)

... also installed a Pertronix about a year ago which significantly improved the idle (but maybe that was only because I also put in a new set of NGK's at the same time)

If I junk the Nology wires - what ignition wires should I use with the MSD?

- MSD says do not use solid core wires, but my old sets of 911 oem wires are solid core with resistors in the plug connectors - there appear to be no alternative solutions


or - maybe I should junk the MSD? (but I like the idea of multi sparks lighting up that rich idle circuit gas mixture in my high-overlap racing cam environment when running on the street

so what actually works?

[Steve@Rennsport]

Larry:

I have lots of Noly stories but my fingers aren't strong enough to list them here.

My VERY best advice for you would be to keep the MSD for what it does for performance and drivability and ditch those lousy wires. We use Magnacor 8.5mm race wires but you can use any wire-wound, spiral core wire you like. I prefer the Magnecor's since these have a resistor-less plug connector that is FAR more reliable than the Beru or Bosch ones.

Just one man's opinion though so YMMV.

[Paulporsche]

When I had my mech install an MSD CDI and Blaster 2 coil for me, he also put on MSD wires. I think they are listed for a Chevy V6. I've had them about 2 1/2 years w/ no problems.

[jstobo]

I second Magnacor's. I used them with my MSD and Pertronix. Normal Spark Plug wear.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I did exactly what The Weiner told me to re MSDs (twin plugs) and Magnecors--see his post above--and the setup has run just fine for several years now, road and track.

[RoninLB]

fwiw

the magnecor site has some interesting info if you dig deep enough.


Beru are a problem waiting to happen imo.

[larrym]

thanks for the insights; I shall order the magnecors

(Steve did my distributor recurve some years back & gave me lots of good advice on cam choices, and 30 yrs ago Rennsport was the source of my 911 oil thermostat which had gone missing somewhere in Germany when the 911R engine was swapped out for a 2.4)

[DohertyCM]

I also run the MSD, Magnacor(red) and the Petronix together and have not seen any extra wear on the plug...

I have had it this way for 3 years...no problems..

[chapo]

MSD Chrysler hemi wires.

[DohertyCM]

I dont think that qualifies you to put "Yeah theres a HEMI in it" on the side of your porsche....

I bet you would get some weird looks...

[jimmcc]

Can someone explain to me why you shouldn't use the factory, shielded plug wires with a MSD?

Sorry to be late to the discussion but am interested.

Jim

[DohertyCM]

I dont remember exactly why, but it has something to do with the way the factory wires are sheilded and connected directly to ground....which would cause problems with the MSD box.

[e p slick]

Go with MSD's opinion since they make the more serious part. The wire mfgs are just the add-on guys. Who ya going to trust - The Oncologist or the GP?

[jstobo]

Actually, DohertyCM, all the early Porsche engines were "hemis". That is they have a domed semipherical piston and hemispere combustion chamber. That all changed with the CIS flat pistons. So with an early Porsche you get a hemi for no extra charge(he he).

[DohertyCM]

I have a CIS and they are dome'd pistons...I believe all of them are dome'd -

I know somewhere there were flat ones in there somewhere.

But you got to love the hemi jokes..

[larrym]

- got the new Magnecors from Pelican last weekend - (price is $25 LESS than list retail !) - regapped the denso's to 050

the important news is that the engine now starts much quicker - less pumping & cranking time;

AND there is a perceived seat-of-pants notable increase in torque/power robustness, with torque coming on at a lower rpm, in that it now can pull out of the hole in higher gears at least 500 rpm less than before (about 2500 vs 3100) - ( ... for 6 yrs I have tho't the cams were the sole reason)

- next time I get a chance (have to go about 60 miles to find flatland for test drives) I'll put the g-meter back on & do another 0-60 & horsepower run & see if the perceived seat-of-pants change is loggable


I might take the car back on the track now -

geez - ten yrs of poor performance all becuz I listened to a go-faster sales pitch at a VARA track event (way back when I still had a 2.8 with e-cams in the car, and it ran out of breath at 5500)

fyi - i run both an msd 6a and a msd timing box so i can deal with 91 octane and the variances of routinely going from sea level to Tahoe (i live at 2800')

see the car at Hot August Nights Aug 8-11 at the Grand Sierra

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by jstobo

Actually, DohertyCM, all the early Porsche engines were "hemis". That is they have a domed semipherical piston and hemispere combustion chamber. That all changed with the CIS flat pistons. So with an early Porsche you get a hemi for no extra charge(he he).

FWIW,.....ALL air-cooled 911 engines have hemispherical chambers. The 2.0 ones are simply deeper with wider valve angles than the later versions.

[Steve W]

I get shivers whenever I've had to work on a car with Nology wire and/or ignition system. I don't know if it's the RFI emission or what, but they caused havoc with all my test instrumentation to the point that nothing worked properly.

[Steve@Rennsport]

LOL,..I watched several garage door openers go simply crazy when a Noly-equipped car was running,...

Talk about RFI problems,..............

[Nostril Cheese]

MSD = bulletproof

Nology = ****e

use magnecors