MSD Ignition System Is Better
 

I posted the other day about my car not starting after a spirited run. Turned out that the CDI was or became defective.

I had an MSD system installed and after driving it a couple of days definitely know the difference. It revs higher and more quickly; starts without fail and seems to improve mid-range acceleration performance. It does have a built-in rev limiter and I think that is good as she has no hesitation getting up there.

The cost was way too high but with a defunct CDI and having to wait for several weeks for a rebuilt I took the plunge. In similar circumstances I would highly recommend it.

Best,

Tom

If one is good, two is better :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1475195224.jpg

Whoa, Whoa, whoa... you replaced a really old part with a new part and you got better performance?!? STOP. THE. PRESSES.

JK.

I replaced my Perma-Doom with an MSD Street Fire, high vibration coil, Magnecor wires and copper plugs. Talk about an update!

I set my gap at .040", where did you set yours?

-Steve

My CDI fried 3 coils in short succession. 3 tows home. Got MSD.....now happy!

No msd for me
 

I put in a Daytona Sensors CD1 that comes with it own coil......been a great upgrade for years.....much better quality than overseas made MSD......

I mean the MSD is OK, but the Daytona Sensors or even a Crane is a lot better design and much better quality.

My 2 cents.

Hey the Bosch is a 50 year old design and could be 40 some years old in our old cars.

merlinfe states: No points in there. I've gone "modern"!!!

I'm sure there are lots of comparable or even superior systems to supplant the CDI. I'm happy for the moment and with these old girls every moment counts before the next disaster!!

Tom

Steve is referring to your spark plug gap. It may need to be adjusted after going MSD.

Another vote for MSD StreetFire. Wonderful replacement over PermaCrap.

Side note. The Permatune's that fail are the legacy units. Silver.

I have two of those $450 paper weights. That's 1990's dollars.

The newer black jobbies are better. I have not heard of them failing.

However, MSD is 60% of the cost including coil, but not including install.

Regarding install, I spent two weekends installing a 6AL under the driver's seat. I am slow as molasses, though. One fastener or electrical connection per every two beers and at least one post on the board.:D

i have an MSD in my 930 and I had one in my 77s.
the rev limiter was the main reason I put it in my 930. it let me remove the speed relay under the seat.

the capacitor is the main point of failure in the BOSCH unit. the CAP is over 30yrs old and it is time for them to go bad. I have replaced several.
putting in a new MSD you will see better performance over a failing bosch unit, but the bosch unit is still a great unit.

I set my gap at .040 with the MSD as well, seems to be ok. Maybe some gurus will chim in on spark plug gap.

delete

I misunderstood the "gap" comment. My mechanic replaced the spark plug wires but, when I asked, didn't pull the plugs. Interesting. I wonder what they have been set at since they were changed a couple of years ago.

Tom

I suspect the bigger the better up to 0.060". Mine are at 0.040.

One big caveat is as you stretch the gap the voltage increases to jump it and easier grounds than the spark plug tip come into play. That can include your hand with tired wires. I don't care for that sensation at all.:)

I think the bigger gap also puts more oomph through your rotor and if it has the resistor in it, it can burn out. Lots of threads on what rotor to use with MSD. I'm very happy with mine.

Forgot to add that I went with a resistorless rotor. Very important part of the puzzle that is MSD.

-Steve

Yes, and spiral wound wires (Clewetts etc.) no solid core stockers.

Did 83's have resistors in the rotors? I don't think my 81 did.

Seems like Steve at rothsport says 0.045 and forget it.

Mine did Bob. May have been a replacement though. A lot of stuff happens in 30 odd years...

-Steve

Just needed to make another rev limiting rotor resistorless for my '77 as it doesn't have another way to cut out spark at redline. I will probably upgrade my older MSD 6A to the 6AL and just put in the simple resistorless rotor.

Took a picture of the rotor after I Dremeled the epoxy and resistor out. I cut a piece of 12 gauge copper wire to fit tight and then tapped it into place, soldered and then re-epoxied it. Ohms were tested before each step to make sure my copper wire was touching nicely.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494783392.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494783411.jpg

Installed the street fire in my 81 sc a few weeks ago. New plugs gapped at 0.35 new wires etc. never had it with the Bosch CDI but now I have like a miss or stumble in each gear at right about 3 grand.
Ernie

Installed the Streetfire in mine with thanks to all the excellent threads on Pelican. Utilized the OEM 6-pin connector (thanks timmy2) and mounted it to be as stock looking as possible.

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d3&oe=597BD8D0

Hmmm... neither Loren nor Willard have bashed this thread yet. Surely this is a sign of the apocalypse..

NAPA sells the VW resistorless rotor. John Walker posted the part number a while back. They were so cheap I bought a lifetime supply.

I think .045" is good gap choice. MSD tech support recommends starting with stock .028" and going up in .005" increments until fouling starts to occur.

I absolutely agree that the StreetFire was a good upgrade. There may be better options but it definitely runs stronger than the old PermaTune that was in the car.

The StreetFire is triggered the opposite of the Bosch and PermaTune so you do have to swap the pins for the ground and violet wire in the harness.

What is "fouling"?

Does the stock 78 SC rotor have a resistor in it?

Staff at Pelican said it was ok to use the shielded Beru wires; has anyone experienced it?

I completed the installation but haven't started the engine yet; I'm also in the process of changing the fuel pump, cleaning gas thank,replacing fuel filter and other fuel related items...

Yes - I did the same but stuck a "Vorsicht" decal on it to make it look authentic

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494935841.jpg

I run my new-baught silver Perma with new MSD HV coil, new shielded Beru wires, Beru plugs and Beru finger (without limiter) .
3 years . No issues. Just smiling.