[cole930]

Todd,

I don't really even know where to start here. I thought we might consider turning this into a collective learning experience for those of us who have or may be considering using the MSD 6530.

The 930 I'm refering to here is an 80 ROW and has a single pot factory distributor. The factory timing spec. is +/- 2* @ 1000 Rpm and 29* @ 4000 Rpm. The distributor has 8* of vacuum advance just off idle and 16* of centrifical advance that starts at 1000 Rpm and is all in at by 1750 Rpm. This is an unmodified stock factory distributor. ( I am using my car here because it is the only known enity we have at this time and is also the same car TODD is installing the 6530 in.)

I would suggest anyone adding the MSD 6530 start by installing the controller
using the distributor as is with the timing and boost retard maps set to 0. That way the controller will operate exactly like a MSD 6AL to make sure your installation is working correctly and functioning properly.

Once you know the controller is functionally correctly you need to pull the distributor and modify it to lock out all advance functions. Locking out the distributor requires that the vacuum advance be removed or plugged and the centrifugal advance weights and springs are removed. Then the distributor advance plate is rotated to the total advanced position and fixed in place. Reinstall the distributor and manually set it's position at 29* advanced and lock it in place with the mounting bolt. What you are doing here is setting the distributor at the maximim advance position and now you can program yor timing curve totally with the 6530 and you are assured the distributor cannot exceed 29* max advance.

At this point it might be a good idea to program a timing curve that emulates the stock curve above and test your work with this known enity. If the car runs and responds as it did with the factory distributor you can now start looking at the boost curve. WARNING: At this point you have no boost retard available because the distributor is locked down and no retard provided by a vacuum advance canister. So either take it real easy or turn down the boost to .5 Bar untill we get some boost retard programmed in.

To program a boost curve you must first install a MAP sensor to input boost pressure into the controller so you have boost pressure to reference you timing retard against. I have included GM and MSD MAP sensor part numbers and a MAP sensor connector below. I would suggest using a 3 Bar MAP sensor.


The MSD part# for the MAP connector is 8172

MAP sensor info:

GM

3Bar 12223861
2Bar 16040609
1Bar 16137939

MSD

3Bar MSD 2313
2Bar MSD 2312
1Bar MSD 2311

Before we continue from here let's get some more input, opinions, suggestions from others.

Cole