MSD Install Notes for SC

[tholyoak]

Installed the MSD 6 and blaster coil I picked up at Hershey this past weekend. Just thought I'd provide some notes for those considering adding this onto their SC with the 6 pin CD box

I installed the box on the aluminum panel the original Bosch box was on. Installation was tight, it would have been much easier if I didn't still have the original alt. with the external voltage regulator taking up space on the panel. I will post some photos if anyone is interested. The coil mounted in the same bracket as the stock bosch coil.

I installed the MSD box by using spade connectors on the MSD leads and connecting to the original 6 pin connector so no splicing into the harness was necessary and it can be easily switched back at any time.

A short lead was made to run from the tach output on the MSD unit and plugs into the 6 pin connector at terminal TD, no adapter is necessary

The thin red wire is hooked to terminal 15 this is a switched 12V source.

The orange wire is connected to terminal A this is the positive coil lead (white wire for coil)

The black wire (thin) is connected to terminal 31-1 which is the -ve coil lead (brown/red wire for coil).

For the distributor trigger the green wire goes to terminal 7 and the violet wire goes to terminal 31d .This is important as if the car is hooked up the other way it will run but very badly, ask me how I know

For the 12V power I ran the heavy red wire from the MSD unit to the +ve terminal on the starter, the heavy black ground wire is connected to the ground lug behind the fuel filter and accumulator on the body.

The car was running very well prior to installation and I really didn't expect much of a difference with the installation. But, I must say I was impressed with the unit, I opened up the plug gaps to 0.045" as I believe is recommended by Steve W. The car idles and runs very well. I highly recommend this upgrade. I still need to order a new set of Magnecore plug wires from Pelican but even with the old stock wires right now the car is a blast.

Todd

[cab83_750]

Installation of the MSD is going to be my next project. As you have volunteered, could you please provide the appropriate pics.

Thanks for the notes, and a million thanks for the upcoming pics.



Windsor
"We PP Posters Rock!!!!!"

[JackT]

I have a 1982SC and was told that adding would not make any difference from a performance standpoint. I have a MSD6 I took off another car that I wanted to put on my 911.

[tholyoak]

You may want to check out Steve Weiner's pages at

http://www.rennsportsystems.com/~porsche/2.html

He has a bunch of good info on 911 modifications pertaining to ignition, induction etc.

To quote from one of his statements on the above pages

"plug gaps between 0.040" and 0.045" are known to make more power and better idle due to the larger flame kernel and the resulting more thorough combustion process."

Steve is also a contributor on this forum so maybe he will respond directly, but my observations seem to be consistent with the above statement.

Todd

[cab83_750]

Todd,


Man, now I am all confused! Just kidding. I hope he does respond. I want to make sure that it is worth my investment and most importantly he covers emission results. I have smog nazis to deal with here.

[T_Durden]

I am trying to install an MSD unit on my 83 SC now. Just a quick question. How did you run the 12v 12ga red wire to the starter? Did you have to drill a hole to run it and did you take care to avoid any of the hot components like the exhaust?

Thanks for your help.

[Lorenfb]

"I highly recommend this upgrade."

Upgrade?????? Maybe waiting for the Chevy engine install!

So, where're the technical data to support this other than
unsubstantiated claims made to promote it? Basically a good
sales gimmick for the naive. Besides, less reliable than a Bosch.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

"I highly recommend this upgrade."

Upgrade?????? Maybe waiting for the Chevy engine install!

So, where're the technical data to support this other than
unsubstantiated claims made to promote it? Basically a good
sales gimmick for the naive. Besides, less reliable than a Bosch.

Loren:

Perhaps instead of relentlessly bashing everything, why don't you try this for yourself?????

You have VERY little to lose and just MAYBE,..............MAYBE you might learn something new. That my friend, is why we all get up in the morning otherwise what would be the point?

You wouldn't accept anyone's dyno data as proof so I'd challenge you to prove/disprove this for yourself.

Plus, these are now more reliable than Bosch,....

[DUK]

10 times more reliable than Bosch cdi"s

[RoninLB]

nice SC data



i use www.waytekwire. com double wall shrink tube instead of corrugated plastic tubing to enclose some wires. Almost looks stock.

i'd also coat wire connectors with dielectric.

some pelicanheads say that MSD will create faiures in stock Beru wires and those rpm limiting dizzy rotors.

member Jesset's pic

[Lorenfb]

"Plus, these are now more reliable than Bosch"

Please!!!!! They're inherently less reliable given the greater number
of components. Also, theoretically the multiple sparks:

1. Have no real benefit since the charge has completely
burned prior to the next multiple spark (Do the calculations) and,
2. End above 3000 RPMs.

The only real difference between Bosch and MSD is the
greater stress on the overall ignition system elements
when using a MSD; i.e. wires, cap & rotor (usually burned).

The real proof of the gimmick nature of a MSD is that NO
OEM car has or used the multiple spark gimmick & all
use inductive discharge now.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by RoninLB

some pelicanheads say that MSD will create failures in stock Beru wires and those rpm limiting dizzy rotors.

member Jesset's pic

Thats true since the MSD's have a lot more current & voltage. Its one of the sound arguments for replacing the always-troublesome Beru plug connector wires with Magnecors which have no resistors to burn out.

I always replace the rev-limiting rotors with the 930 ones and use the soft-touch rev limiters in the MSD 6AL units,...

Now,...one has a bulletproof ignition system.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

"Plus, these are now more reliable than Bosch"

Please!!!!! They're inherently less reliable given the greater number
of components. Also, theoretically the multiple sparks:

1. Have no real benefit since the charge has completely
burned prior to the next multiple spark (Do the calculations) and,
2. End above 3000 RPMs.

The only real difference between Bosch and MSD is the
greater stress on the overall ignition system elements
when using a MSD; i.e. wires, cap & rotor (usually burned).

The real proof of the gimmick nature of a MSD is that NO
OEM car has or used the multiple spark gimmick & all
use inductive discharge now.

Unless YOU have used them for 25+ years as some of us have on hundreds of cars, you really have little or no first-hand experience about their benefits.

[Lorenfb]

"Unless YOU have used them for 25+ years"

Many blindly do things not really understanding what's the real effect
or the lack there of, e.g. fuel & oil additives.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

"Unless YOU have used them for 25+ years"

Many blindly do things not really understanding what's the real effect
or the lack there of, e.g. fuel & oil additives.

Loren,.....are you telling me that I do not understand what I'm doing???

[ischmitz]

OK, I'am breaking out the crackers. This will become a fun thread. We should invite Steve over, too.

BTW: I read somewhere my ML430 (dual plug configuration) switches from sequential sparks to dual-spark at some RPM threshold. Apparently the sequential spark is used for cleaner burning at lower RPM. But then, what do I know......

[ayglass]

You guys understand that now I *have* to get one and try it out! Maybe I can sell Loren my old CDI?

[rfuerst911sc]

Steve Weiner do you have any experience with the Mallory CD units? It is my understanding that the MSD is a analog technology vs. the Mallory being digital? Just curious if the digital has " real world " benefits? Not trying to hijack the original post. Thanks

[johndglynn]

Good stuff Todd, looking forward to seeing your pictures. Mine going in to the C3 over the Christmas holidays, but I will do a permanent install and lose the CDI completely.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Steve Weiner do you have any experience with the Mallory CD units? It is my understanding that the MSD is a analog technology vs. the Mallory being digital? Just curious if the digital has " real world " benefits? Not trying to hijack the original post. Thanks

I do not,....

In thje past, Mallory ignitions have suffered an unacceptable MTBF rate and I will not use them at this time. Digital ignitions, be they Mallory, MSD, or others, merely offer more features.