MSD Coil Conversion

[spy]

Ever have a miss? Ever have a slight random misfire that you can never seem to pinpoint? Does the car stumble when it's in the hot? Are you sick and tired of the stupid GM coils?

Here's a simple swap that will make you the envy of the neighborhood.

Swap those GM coils for a set of MSD coils!

Here's what you need to accomplish the swap.

-A set of universal 4cylinder spark plug wires cut to appropriate length *determined on your placement and mounting of the MSD coils*
-soldering iron
-wire stripper/clamper/multipurpose godsend

NOW PAY ATTENTION TO THESE PART NUMBERS. THE PART NUMBERS ON THE PICTURE IS WRONG! IT IS A TYPO!!!! TYPO..... HERE ARE THE CORRECT MSD PART NUMBERS YOU REQUIRE

msd 8224 - x2. this is the coils
msd 8870 - x2. this is the coil interface modules.

After that the picture below should be self explanatory, but I will elaborate slightly.

Remove your IDI cover. Look at it, take it apart. The only part you reuse is the ICM. You also have to take the lil three wire plug that goes into the ICM and CUT THAT WITH ENOUGH WIRE SO YOU CAN WIRE IT INTO THE MSD WIRING!!!! When I get a moment I'll host a few more photos to elaborate on this.

The schematic below is the basics that you need.

Yes it is a shitty writeup, but this is to get people thinking and doing.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/2181839844_9d0914e4c1_o.jpg



YOU BENEFIT FROM THIS BY HAVING A CAR LESS PRONE TO IGNITION PROBLEMS, COIL PROBLEMS, AND AN INCREDIBLY REDUCED CHANCE OF RANDOM MISFIRES.

[Dayton86]

Thanks spy, it shall help me here in a couple of weeks when I do mine.

[loud2kse]

I'll be using this on my setup soon. Thanks for the motivation.

[kusumuck]

Hey, has anyone actually accomplished this on their rig yet?

[spy]

Hey, has anyone actually accomplished this on their rig yet?

yes, me, and a bajillion J-body owners.

[kusumuck]

Do you have any pics of what you did? I just want to get some ideas before I finally get rid of the retarded plastic housing. Thanks.

[spy]

Everything you need is in the image and first post of this thread above. There was no rocket science behind it.

The only thing you reuse from underneath the IDI cover is the ICM module, and cutting a plug that plugs into the ICM module. That plug you cut is spliced into the MSD coils as mentioned above.

$45.60 - MSD coil
$31.70 - MSD coil interface
plus some plug wires whatever you choose.

The entire swap should cost you less than $200.

I didn't take any pictures of what I did exactly, and I sold it a few months ago for a tidy lil profit as the other person was scared in wiring.

It's only THREE WIRES.

[kusumuck]

I'm not afraid of it, im just looking for some ideas on where to mount the new coil packs.

[kusumuck]

And I was also wondering if I should get specific spark plugs with different gaps than the stock.

[spy]

And I was also wondering if I should get specific spark plugs with different gaps than the stock.

stock plugs work just fine, there's no reason to change your plugs except if you're running high compression or some form of forced induction.

[spy]

I'm not afraid of it, im just looking for some ideas on where to mount the new coil packs.

Basically mount them where you think they look best, and easiest for maintanence.

I had mine mounted completely differently than most anybody would mount them, as they were mounted inbetween the head and the battery. But the battery is/was relocated to a custom position.

[kusumuck]

Well I just ordered them today. Hopefully they will be here by the end of the week. Ill let you know how it goes and post some pics

[kusumuck]

Well https://www.directtuning.com called me today and said the coils that I ordered were on backorder for 4 or 5 weeks. I canceled my order but I will keep this mod in mind for the future.

[spy]

lemme give you an easy place to get them.

www.summitracing.com

[Atlas98]

maybe it's because I'm half asleep, but whats the benefit of this mod besides reliability?

[spy]

maybe it's because I'm half asleep, but whats the benefit of this mod besides reliability?

More reliable ignition, better spark through the use of the more stout MSD coils, much more reliable for higher HP applications in boosted, and N/A applications.

More reliable, more efficient tends to mean less hiccups from the motor which in racing means those hiccups are swapped out with improvements in the power band. Potentially a gain of a few ponies.

It is something I would recommend to any quad or twin cam owner that is intending to do some racing in any form.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

I've been wanting this MSD setup for awhile. I figure the interface module setup is the same for the 3.4 V6?

[spy]

;1175662']I've been wanting this MSD setup for awhile. I figure the interface module setup is the same for the 3.4 V6?

You find out and get back to us. Unless people start coming to me to work on the V6, I can't tell you.

[litdevil316]

another good idea from Spy! lol. i'l have to check that out when i get home in a few days to start my s/c install.

[fighting_saint]

What does this look like when you are done? where do you mount the coils.. Please someone post a pic. THANKS

[mikekanzler]

What does this look like when you are done? where do you mount the coils.. Please someone post a pic. THANKS

basically i think you can mount the coils wherever you want to just as long as they are good for any movement from the engine no pics but spy can prob help with that

if you check out j body's site i know there are some pics of it in a cavalier on there

[spy]

What does this look like when you are done? where do you mount the coils.. Please someone post a pic. THANKS

The mounting spot for the coils and ICM is dependant on the space you have underhood, how long you want the wiring to be, and how long you want your spark plug wires to be, amongst other choices that you can consider.

You can mount them next to the battery, on a strut tower, firewall, etc.

[CraiGT]

You can also use the coils from the 2.2 motor out of a cavalier. If anyone wants to do this in a cheap way, this is one way but I would recommened the MSD.

The coil pack from the 2.2 actually has 2 sensors. A total of 8 wires. The 2.4 twin cam ICM connector has the SAME 8 wires. So in theory, you would cut the 2.4 connector, and rewire to match to the 2 sensors to the 2.2 coils. I dont agree to cut the connector from the wire harness. So what I plan to do is make a dual connector. Have the 2.2 connectors with the 2.4 connector still intact. Just incase if a coil pack failed, I could plug back in the original stuff.

I have not actually done this, but looking through the manuals and reading wireing diagrams, this sounds pretty simple. If anyone knows or can correct me on anything, please feel free to say so.

Note: I am not responsible for any use/misuse of the product or any theoretical information I just stated lol. Again, just a theory of how to wire it. YES it works, but Ive searched and I cannot find EXACTLY how it was wired. People use the neon coils too but I wouldnt recommened it.