'70-2.2headers? MSD6al or JacobsOmni Magnum

[red70tcoupe@pca]

First Question; I want to put the Bursch headers on my 1970 2.2t and wonder if anyone has done this before and noticed any significant power increase.(I have theK&N filter already and jacobs high energy coil and spark plug wires and new bosch dist replacing the old Marelli) which leads to question #2; Looking to enhance the spark energy and can't decide on the MSD6al or the Jacobs Omni Magnum? Any insight would be appreciated, spring is just around the corner.
red70tcoupe

[dean]

I put the MSD6AL in my car. The unit is sort of big so it is hard to fit. I like it so far. I know not much help

[TimT]

Its really hard to beat the factory 3 into 1 exhaust. If your existing pipes are in good shape just keep them ( maybe cut off the heater box and have them coated if you dont need heat)

I think the only effective way to improve on the effiency of the factory 3-1 system is with a set of SSI's. Unless you go to custom fabbed SS headers.

The carbureted cars really love the multi spark from a MSD or Crane ignition box. Get rid of the points and install an optical or hall effect sensor in your dist, and use a MSD or Crane box to control the spark and you will be happy. The jacobs coil should provide the extra spark energy you are looking for. You just need a way to trigger it in the most oppurtune way.

[A Quiet Boom]

MSD, I've relied on them for years. The 6al is an excellent box. Also go with TimT's suggestion on the optical trigger, I had that in my 2.0 and loved it.

[jluetjen]

There have been a number of excellent threads on the past on MSD's and ignition in general. You might want to do a search. This one I remember seems to cover the subject well from a lot of different aspects.

I doubt that you'll find any HP increase using Bursch headers over the stock exhaust. The back of the car will be slightly lighter without the heat exchangers, but where I live that would be a poor trade-off (it's -4.5 as I'm typing this! ). Some people maintain that SSI's are slightly better at generating HP then stock heat exchangers - I don't deny it but I suspect that the difference is so small as to not be measurable. They will last a lot longer though which I feel is a big improvement given the health risks involved in breathing oderless and colorless CO.

[cmelecci]

I did exactly the same. Took my stock system, stripped the heat exchangers(in terrible shape), glass beaded the headers, checked for any holes or rust, coated them with Jet Hot ceramic, wrapped them in exhaust tape. They work great and keep excessive heat off the engine.
Of course no heat in car, but I'm in Florida.
Carl

[red70tcoupe@pca]

Thanks to all who replied, it is very hard to find good advice on performance upgrades from people up here in Ontario, Canada. This forum allows for many responses from many points of view. What and how does an optical trigger work with my distributor to enhance a Crane or MSD multi spark ignition? Any specific brand names would be helpful. Thanks again, red70tcoupe.

[TimT]

the optical trigger replaces the points. its a LED and shutter wheel. Once you get the timing set wont have to mess with it again. Crane makes and optical trigger that works with the Crane CD box. I forgot the p/n though.

[red70tcoupe@pca]

Did the Jacobs spark enhancer and it works good. Looking to something to replace the points. Is optical or magnetic better for the 2.2l engine? Any insight you have will be helpful.