MSD CD Box
 

I have done some searches on installation and location. I am planning on this upgrade, but my questions is, other than being an inexpensive replacement and a multi spark CD, what are the benefits of the MSD upgrade? I am already running Magnacore 8.5mm wires, and a MSD blaster high vibration coil. Other than the new MSD box and the tach adapter(maybe) what else do I need? Thanks in advance for the help and insight.

Hi Jason,

If you have the Bosch ignition box, the MSD is not really an upgrade. The MSD should be as efficient as the Bosch system. No more, no less.

I have all the parts you mention here, MSD ignition, tach adaptor, Magnecor ignition wires and a MSD Blaster coil. They go very well together, and I've had no problem with them since the install 2 years ago. The car starts at the first turn of the key. Even when it's - 16 Celcius/3,2F like it was this morning, or below that. And it runs great all the way to the redline. Absolutely recommended.

Here are some pics of my install:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039424.jpghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039443.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039456.jpghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039471.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039489.jpghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039502.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039517.jpghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039535.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039549.jpghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1187039567.jpg

Great looking install. MY Bosch currently works fine, however I see many pelicans going to MSD route, and wondered why?

Some guys like it and some stay stock. Bosch is a very good box for what it does.

Like an alternator all CD boxes eventually fail.

MSD install correctly is important, mount in as cool a place as possible, and enjoy.



and about that panel...
How did you attach the fuse cover to the panel?
I guess you used a mig welder for the other attaching plates?

I love custom projects

manly b/c all units fail at some point

msd apparently does have some advantages in some applications over a rebuilt Bosch unit. Steve Weiner has posted on this and he should know.

search on msd and his name

The Bosch units are easily rebuildable in most cases. I've only seen one that was completely toast. It was bought at a swap meet and appeared to have been in a fire.....

Thanks :)

I should point out that the MSD box will fit in the stock location, on the stock aluminum panel. You may have to move a relay and some wires, but it does fit.

I wish I could weld aluminum, but I'm not there yet. The small box I used to make the fuse holder has four screw holes in it. Like this one: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234386044.jpg
No brackets were needed for mounting the panel.

The reason I went for the MSD box is that I didn't have the 3 pin Bosch box I needed. The 6 pin unit from my old engine could not be used (swap from worn out 3.0 to a 2.7 I rebuilt). I got a good deal on the (barely used) MSD parts here at the Pelican Parts used parts classifieds.

I ran the engine for a short while without a CD box and with 30+ years old ignition wires. Not surprisingly the new parts made a big difference!

"The Bosch units are easily rebuildable in most cases." and the cost for someone to do that is ~~ = to a new msd.

An adept analog electronics guy can do it himself.

Warren Hall believe the opposite, and he knew. Really, I think it's a matter of choice here...

As was explained to me when my Bosch CDI box died...the MSD 6AL has a hotter spark...BUT you have to be careful on which rotor you use in your distributor. The stock one will burn up becasue it has a resistor buried under the epoxy on the top. I ran my stock rotor and it ended up frying. Do a search here and on Rennlist and it tells you which rotor to buy or how to modify your existing one if you plan on going to an MSD CDI.

The information is all here on the site. The search function is your friend. It CAN be a DIY project.

Rebuilts from our various vendors tend to be better than what MSD will offer both in price and in warranty. The site vendors will also allow for a core credit.

Also the site's various rebuilders have been known to trade, offer to test units and do little favors that the big bad retailers won't/don't do. They used to call that customer service, a dead art.....