MSD Upgrade...

I am contemplating the MSD 6A for my 1976 914-4 2.0. I assume I will need the tach adapter as stated but I was thinking of replacing the points with mag pick up unit. There shouldn't be any problems with this should there? You just use the different wiring scheme right?

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Installing the MSD Electronic Ignition System

[Wayne 962]

It's pretty straightforward - you might not even need the tach adapter. I would try it without the adapter and see if it works. I do indeed recommend the Pertronix system - it works very well in these older cars.

- Wayne

[911t Fanatic]

I agree but, in warmer climates the pertronix dont hold up very well against the heat.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I drove a pertronix equipped 914 for years in the high desert of California and never had a problem.

It really is worth it to get rid of the points once and for all. Honestly, there isnt much point to running a MSD 6 or 6A on a stock 914. If you're running a high compression motor with Webers, then yes, it makes a difference.

I'd reccomend the Pertronix on ANY points equipped distributor.

[911t Fanatic]

I cannot personally condemn the pertronix, only that i had asked DR.914 about putting on on mine and was told they dont hold up to the heat. I will put one on mine and see how it does.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

What they hate is being hooked up backwards. It's a very quick way to smoke them, hook the + wire to ground and the - wire to power.

They also don't like the key being left on for more than ~30 seconds without the engine running.

--DD

[red-beard]

Jared,

I don't know if it was just a tired CD unit, but putting the MSD into my 914/6 really smoothed out the low idle.

Robin,

There is a tach specific output on the MSD. Run the tach wire there and you will not have a problem with the multiple sparks on the lower revs.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

[QUOTE=red-beard;5975004]Jared,

I don't know if it was just a tired CD unit, but putting the MSD into my 914/6 really smoothed out the low idle.

[QUOTE]

I should have specified 914-4's. The MSD itself is a CD unit, and a great replacement for the stock Bosch and Perma-Fail units on the 6 cylinder cars.

[carr914]

Get the MSD Billit Electronic Dizzy to go with the MSD 6A and you will be pleased

[Joe Ricard]

Agreed with Carr914
Do the whole thing distributor and ignition box. Make sure you get the box with a rev limiter.

[red-beard]

[QUOTE=Jared at Pelican Parts;5975032][QUOTE=red-beard;5975004]Jared,

I don't know if it was just a tired CD unit, but putting the MSD into my 914/6 really smoothed out the low idle.

I should have specified 914-4's. The MSD itself is a CD unit, and a great replacement for the stock Bosch and Perma-Fail units on the 6 cylinder cars.

I also ended up replacing the Mirebelli distributor with a Bosch "S" unit. It made sense anyway, since I had "S" cams installed in the engine, along with an RS spec P/C set, along with completely rebuilding the case (Case savers, piston squirters, etc) and porting the heads. And in the end, I replaced the carbs with Zenith's that were setup for the car. Wow, what a difference all of that made! An RS spec 2.7 is supposed to be 240 hp. I don't know if it was there, never dyno'd. But it was definitelty at least 200+ from the accellerometer dyno I tried.

[Flieger]

Original RS spec(8.5:1 compression) is 210 hp @ 6300rpm and 188 ft-pounds of torque @ 5500rpm measured at the flywheel, I thought.

[red-beard]

I think the shop did a little machining and the CR was higher than 8.5:1

My intention with that engine was using the 2.2 liter P/Cs and the 2.7 crank and going high compression. When the P/Cs were found to be barely inside spec, EBS had a deal on the RS P/Cs. I have had the car for 2 years, so I can't go out and measure it for you...