MSD Ignition?

[xxchieferxx]

What does it do and how does it help? I've always wondered about the whole msd ignition thing. I've only seen it set up on a few of the quad 4 engines.

[TA^Guy]

Hmmmm *how do I start to explain this...*
Basically it incresses the voltage and makes the signal more crisp.

Say you had a graph of your stock ignition. It would look like a mountain range as it open and closed (on/off). With the MSD or other simular ignition boxes it would be quicker on with and longer sparks and quicker off.

Ontop of the other features some have like Timing adjustment, etc.

[Greed4Speed]

They also give multiple sparks at low RPM and a longer spark at high RPM. If you get the Jacob's system, its supposed to respark if it needs to. You can also get some w/a rev limiter, timing retard, or a kill switch.

[xxchieferxx]

Sounds like something i would want. How much is the msd ignition one and is it hard to install?

[Travis]

They run anywhere from about $150 to whatever you think you can spend for their systems, and they're a real pain in the arse to install from what I've seen :D

[TA^Guy]

Yes on cars with electronic ignitions they are a bit harder than a distributor. Basically you just need to know what wire goes to what.

[Pte Socks]

what type of performance increases can you expect with the msd? just better overall? im thinking in hp/torque gains

[Paul92]

Originally posted by xxchieferxx
Sounds like something i would want. How much is the msd ignition one and is it hard to install?

Try asking about the MSD DIS ignition in the 2.3 Quad engine section of the board. I believe Black95HO recently installed it on his GA. :)

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by Unrealoaded
what type of performance increases can you expect with the msd? just better overall? im thinking in hp/torque gains
On a stock motor you will see a minimal gain.
Incressed ignition is usually needed when you end up adding more air/fuel into the cylinders.

[xxchieferxx]

Well i have the mantaparts intake and exhaust manifold, custom cai, and full exhaust so would that be enough and by the way i have another post about the problem with the mantapart exhaust manifold in the 2.3 section. And as far as added fuel what could i upgrade for that. Fuel injectors but do they even make any aftermarket injectors for the quad's or could i use them off another engine?

[Greed4Speed]

IMO, the DIS isn't worth the $ until you add things like N2O, turbo, supercharger, larger cam, etc. Up until then the stock ignition will do the job well enough. Even after it does a good job.

To increase fuel you could add an adjustable fuel pressure regulator.

[MagusXIII]

Chiefer, to add to what GReed said, even with a small as in 75 shot or less of nitrous, you can still get by with stock ignition if it is in good shape. I have ran a 75shot of nitrous in my ZX2 for 3 years with the stock gap of .050. No problems yet of the spark being blown out. So it is my opinion at this time that you really do not need a sparkbox like the MSD at this point. You could better spend your hard earned $$$ on other things.

Now if you started to add over 100 shot of nitrous or 8psi or more of boost, then I would probably get such a unit. But now, I would not waste your money. Be leery of any ignition that claims more HP. IMO it is like saying you can got a more powerful charcoal fire by using a welding torch over a match to light it! Seeing as to how charcoal will burn at the same rate, it really does not matter the power of the ignition source.


Don

[xxchieferxx]

Thanks makes sense to me now. About the adjustable fuel regulator where should i get one.

[VanishingImage]

150 for MSD??? I knew ive seen them priced around 400 bucks for those things,well atleast those box looking things that increase the spark voltage.

[Greed4Speed]

You can get a regualr MSD for under $200, but you'll need the DIS which is well over that.

I like that charcoal analogy there Magus.

[SpyhunteR]

for the 2.4 you'll need the DIS-2 ignition.. the wiring is really easy for it, but if you don't know how to solder things take it to someone that knows... I bought mine for $370 and installed it in less than an hour...

for the 3.4 you'll need the DIS-4 I believe... price is about the same.. as the DIS-2 if not a lil more...


with the regular one.. you get a two stage rev limiter, ignition kill switch, and timing retard options, as well as the better more accurate spark....

neat lil things to play with .