OK, who's running a MSD system? Which one do you like and why? Where did you mount it? Any installation quirks?
TIA,
Bill
TIA,
Bill
MSD Installation
Volphin
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Aloha Bill,
I installed one a few years ago. 6AL. Can't say it's helped any.
Here's the link to the install I did.
http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~grant/MSD_Install/MSD_Install.htm
Aloha,
g
I installed one a few years ago. 6AL. Can't say it's helped any.
Here's the link to the install I did.
http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~grant/MSD_Install/MSD_Install.htm
Aloha,
g
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15,117 Posts
Bill: Don't have one yet, but planning on it this summer. I'd be interested to know what are the reasons you're going to the hotter ignition?Volphin said:
I'm planning on the MSD 6A Ignition, MSD Blaster Coil 2 Chrome and the MSD 8.5mm Plug Wires. All topped off with a bit hotter/better set of plugs, probably the Bosch Platinum +4s. I know DOCers go cooler with the Autolites, however that's with OEM ingnition sets. The hotter high power MSDs should take the high end hotter plug and make something of it all (or so I assume.) More spark, more combustion, more power.
Instead of tucking it away on the fenderwell, I'm going to mount the box on the K&N Icebox as I have seen it mounted there before and it looked good.
I visited the MSD booth at the US Nationals this year and was amazed at the performace differences that they show between their plug wires and many other sets. Sold me, thus the wires too are on my intended setup.
Grant: Same question, what were your reasons for the ignition switch? Did you change plugs and wires? Without those too, perhaps you only had half the solution thus the lack of difference :?:grantos said:
Very nice and helpful web site on your setup. I have bookmarked it for reference.
I recall that on the MSD setups on the 5.9L Ds, I may need some sort of additional adapter (Accel branded) for the coil wire. I don't remember so hopefully someone will chime in on that.
Also, recommended cap for the 8.5mm wires? Difficulty in getting the boots on could be an issue so I'd like to see if there's any input on that too.
IndyDurango
MSD
The reason for the plug coloder plugs is for the ooperating heat range of the plug and the ability to transfer heat after ignition. If the plug retains heat, then pre-ignition/detonation can occur. Stay with the stock heat range or a step colder to prevent this. The better ignition supplied by the MSD will have no effect on this, it only provides a more complete combustion of the fuel/air mixture for better performance, the pre-ignition happens before firing of the plugs where the MSD doesn't have any effect.
The reason for the plug coloder plugs is for the ooperating heat range of the plug and the ability to transfer heat after ignition. If the plug retains heat, then pre-ignition/detonation can occur. Stay with the stock heat range or a step colder to prevent this. The better ignition supplied by the MSD will have no effect on this, it only provides a more complete combustion of the fuel/air mixture for better performance, the pre-ignition happens before firing of the plugs where the MSD doesn't have any effect.
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15,117 Posts
Re: MSD
The Bosch site doesn't say the plug is hotter, so it may not be. It says they provide the "longest, most powerful spark". Their FAQ was helpful: http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/FAQs/SparkPlugs/
Referring to heat, it says, "A plug with a low heat range number (e.g., 2-4) indicates a cold plug that quickly dissipates heat to the engine block and cooling system, while a high code (e.g., 7-10) indicates a hot plug that retains heat. By properly selecting the heat range of the plug, it ensures that the plug will operate between the plug?s designed operating range of 500-900 degrees Celsius." So what's the code for our OEM plugs and what's the code on the recommended Bosch Platimun +4 part#4418. How do they compare?
With a Bosch plug that has a "longest, most powerful spark", if picked correctly, it can still get me my "More spark, more combustion, more power" without more heat? Yesno.
IndyDurango
I think I understand. On some hotter plugs, the plug holds enough heat to set off the fuel in advance of the spark. So are there plugs better than OEM (without going to a cold plug) that have better insulators to prevent this?MWeed said:
The Bosch site doesn't say the plug is hotter, so it may not be. It says they provide the "longest, most powerful spark". Their FAQ was helpful: http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/FAQs/SparkPlugs/
Referring to heat, it says, "A plug with a low heat range number (e.g., 2-4) indicates a cold plug that quickly dissipates heat to the engine block and cooling system, while a high code (e.g., 7-10) indicates a hot plug that retains heat. By properly selecting the heat range of the plug, it ensures that the plug will operate between the plug?s designed operating range of 500-900 degrees Celsius." So what's the code for our OEM plugs and what's the code on the recommended Bosch Platimun +4 part#4418. How do they compare?
With a Bosch plug that has a "longest, most powerful spark", if picked correctly, it can still get me my "More spark, more combustion, more power" without more heat? Yesno.
IndyDurango
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838 Posts
The ignition system was still ok on my D. I just wanted to change it out and improve it before it was time. I changed the ignition module (MSD), Coil, Wires, plugs, cap and rotor. The stock ignition is adequate. What I was after was more overhead as far as capabilities. The key word here's "Overhead". This means there's more margin for error as far as when there'll be a mis-fire. All ignition systems are compromises. Too much juice and you just wear the electrodes of the plug down. Too little and you don't have enough juice to have a spark jump the gap.
So I was after more head room and in the end better mileage. The ignition system was still OK on mine so I didn't really see any improvement. I hope that sort of answers the questions.
aloha,
g
So I was after more head room and in the end better mileage. The ignition system was still OK on mine so I didn't really see any improvement. I hope that sort of answers the questions.
aloha,
g
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2,079 Posts
MSDs
Grant, thank you very much! What a nice clean install that was! Answered many of my Qs too. Did it enhance HP, MPG or HCs?
Rob, I was looking for a more complete combustion burn, and just wondering how the mpg/hp are affected. Each vehicle is different. I do know that the stock coil on the D is the equivalent to an MSD 8228. There's nothing to be gained by it's replacement unless it's defective. Traditionally, I have simply concentrated on the secondary. A spark over 20 degrees of crank angle does sound more efficient. I was just wondering if anyone had any data.
Thanks!
Bill
Grant, thank you very much! What a nice clean install that was! Answered many of my Qs too. Did it enhance HP, MPG or HCs?
Rob, I was looking for a more complete combustion burn, and just wondering how the mpg/hp are affected. Each vehicle is different. I do know that the stock coil on the D is the equivalent to an MSD 8228. There's nothing to be gained by it's replacement unless it's defective. Traditionally, I have simply concentrated on the secondary. A spark over 20 degrees of crank angle does sound more efficient. I was just wondering if anyone had any data.
Thanks!
Bill
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838 Posts
Re: MSDs
Yes, the whole set up did increase the mileage a little. I wouldn't say it justifies the added cost. It's going to take many years for the fuel saved to offset the costs.
My take on the coil. It needs to be electrically matched to the output circuit of whatever is driving it. Problem is it's all a compromise because of the wide range of RPM's the engine has to work in. Fastman probably has a lot of information on effects and limitations of ignitions. I think the MSD is overkill for a stock vehicle. I just didn't want the ignition system to be the weak link. I've seen even brand new stock ignition components have problems. Especially wires. Anyway, so I was really looking for more overhead compared to stock.
aloha,
g
Aloha Bill,Volphin said:
Yes, the whole set up did increase the mileage a little. I wouldn't say it justifies the added cost. It's going to take many years for the fuel saved to offset the costs.
My take on the coil. It needs to be electrically matched to the output circuit of whatever is driving it. Problem is it's all a compromise because of the wide range of RPM's the engine has to work in. Fastman probably has a lot of information on effects and limitations of ignitions. I think the MSD is overkill for a stock vehicle. I just didn't want the ignition system to be the weak link. I've seen even brand new stock ignition components have problems. Especially wires. Anyway, so I was really looking for more overhead compared to stock.
aloha,
g
I did the upgrade that Grant had done and did see improvements in power.
The instructions say you cam open the gap up to.060 with the MSD set up, stock was.35 if I remember correctly.
After I had installed it I went to the track and started playing with the gap.
I was getting a few hundreths with each adjustment.
I went up to a gap of.055 and picked up about 8 hundreths. I was a deicent gain for a small investment.
Hope this helps.
John
The instructions say you cam open the gap up to.060 with the MSD set up, stock was.35 if I remember correctly.
After I had installed it I went to the track and started playing with the gap.
I was getting a few hundreths with each adjustment.
I went up to a gap of.055 and picked up about 8 hundreths. I was a deicent gain for a small investment.
Hope this helps.
John
Joined
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2,079 Posts
Interesting!
Thanks John! That's good on the track. What did your avg MPG do? Did you gain.5 mpg or did you notice? Glad to see another Buford resident online. My little brother has lived there for 4 years? nice area. Visted him this past weekend. Too bad he drives an Accord. That's ready to change though, with happy arrival #3. :lol:
Bill
Thanks John! That's good on the track. What did your avg MPG do? Did you gain.5 mpg or did you notice? Glad to see another Buford resident online. My little brother has lived there for 4 years? nice area. Visted him this past weekend. Too bad he drives an Accord. That's ready to change though, with happy arrival #3. :lol:
Bill
I did gain, but don't remember exact numbers.
I have read the gripes by everyone about their MPG, but mine has always been fair, got better with the CAI, exhaust, stat and MSD.
Last year on the power tour we went from GA to just outside Chicago, 600 miles on about 19 gallons.
We did the entire tour, 3232 miles for just over $300 in gas.
I have read the gripes by everyone about their MPG, but mine has always been fair, got better with the CAI, exhaust, stat and MSD.
Last year on the power tour we went from GA to just outside Chicago, 600 miles on about 19 gallons.
We did the entire tour, 3232 miles for just over $300 in gas.
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