Thinking of purchasing MSD Digital 6AL - I have a few questions

Tidybuoy · 01-01-2012, 06:08 PM

Hi,

I'm thinking of installing the new MSD Digital 6AL on my '74 2.7 CIS. There's nothing wrong with my CDI but I believe that the MSD is an upgrade to the current ignition - is this correct? I base my decision on the 101 Projects book and other friends opinions.

I'm wondering if the Digital version will require a tach adapter?

Has anybody painted their MSD unit black and polished the fins to look like it normally does (but not red)?

Is there any preferred points / trigger system that you recommend? I believe I currently have a petrnics but the lettering on it is so small that I cannot read - I will get a magnifier so I can identify.

I will also be installing new plug wires and the MSD coil.

Any and all advice would be great

James Brown · James Brown's Garage

the msd is a good choice if your bosch unit is bad. Kind of a placebo effect if you do not do a before and after dyno run. Some times you need a tach adapter, sometime you don't, it's just a crap shot. get one and if you do not need it, send it back. new wires, plugs, coil are a must along with a rev limiter module (comes with the kit except for the one you need, figures). More bang for your buck is to get the stock distributor recurved to mechanical advancement (or do both) there is tons of advance that Porsche left in there to keep the car drivable. Oh, you can paint it anything you want to!!! good luck

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

yes, some people have stripped the red to make it silver

others have painted them black, then sanded the ends of the fins to let the silver colored Al -- don't recall whose this is, but I thought it looked cool so poached the pic:

show

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

yes, some people have stripped the red to make it silver

others have painted them black, then sanded the ends of the fins to let the silver colored Al show

don't recall whose this is, but it looked cool so I poached the pic:

SXSMAN · 01-02-2012, 05:34 AM

When you make your purchase make sure to go through a vendor like Jeggs or Summit racing and not off ebay . If you do a search you'll find at least one person that got a cheap knock-off that didn't even work (counterfeit) and were out that money.

The old saying "If a deal looks too good to be true it......."

I've got one but never really thought about painting it , would look rather cool though.

Lorenfb · 01-02-2012, 08:05 AM

"There's nothing wrong with my CDI but I believe that the MSD is an upgrade to the current ignition - is this correct?"

Not really! Like many performance myths, there are no real data that support that
conclusion, only the hyperbole found on the internet.

Neel · 01-02-2012, 08:08 AM

I mounted mine under the driver's seat and never looked back.. Make sure you use the proper coil- you can't mount the MSD can coil upside down like your original.. I used the blaster coil and mounted it where the the CD unit used to be.. Two years/no problems.. You may need a tach adapter, I did not.. Or you can install a later tach.. Follow MSD's instructions to the letter.. Don't leave the ignition switch too long not running, it will fry the unit.. Your Pertronix trigger should work fine..

Tom '74 911 · 08:26 AM

Swapping a functioning stock CDI w/an MSD unit is not going to be a noticeable "performance upgrade". The only thing you will notice is the withdrawal from your bank account!

That said, when my stock CDI died, I replaced it with an MSD 6AL unit and MSD blaster coil. I think the reason I went MSD was cost - it was cheaper than a stock one that was either used in unknown condition or a refurb'd unit. It worked great, but I can't say that it worked any better than the stock one it replaced.

If you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and your existing CDI functions fine, I would spend it elsewhere.

Tom '74 911 · 01-02-2012, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neel

you can't mount the MSD can coil upside down like your original..

I don't know that this is true. I successfully ran an MSD Blaster Coil in the stock location for 3+ yrs. w/no issues on my 2.7L CIS engine. Maybe I was lucky?

It is a bit of a project to mount the MSD, where ever you decide to locate it. . .