Ignition upgrade:MSD,Accel,Crane, Mallory, Jacobs, Holley?

I worked for Super Shops when it was around and learned the you paid for the name when you bought the other brands.

You will get as many different answers as replys on this one.

 

Just got the MSD pro billet in yesterday.

Accel Steel braided wires, Accel boots (going to run them nicely, ill show a picture sometime)

Getting the summit digital box (made by mallory) for the 3 rev limiters, nos activation, start retard, and boost retard (wont be used).

Alot of cool features with it. Only drawback is you have to use their summit coil.

 

I used Accel braided wires 20 years ago with a Stinger ignition. They looked great but they arced all over the place. I threw them in the garbage. Hopefully yours are different.
Ray

 

i had accel wires on an msd powered hei ,they started arcing within a month
wasnt happy with them either

 

I have been using a Vertex Magneto for nearly 20 years without a single problem what so ever. I did have it recharged once, not due to a problem but because I felt it was just time to do so. I switched from a MSD 6AL & am glad I did.
Doug

 

If you use the mallory, buy the power filter for the extra few bucks. Supposed to protect the module from power spikes, etc.....

I heard alot about mallory module burnout. I am using one with the filter and no problems so far.

 

Just my .02c worth but ignition upgrades are one of the lowest returns for $ spent. As long as you have enough spark to light the mixture it doesn't matter how much energy you throw at the spark plug. The bare minimum is the same as a lightning bolt for a street or race car. The other important part is getting the spark at the right time which points or HEI's do just fine unless they are worn out. On a stock to mild build I use points because they never just quit working which an electronic will do occasionally. On built up engines I use factory electronic. No matter how many times I've used 6AL's, 7AL's etc I've never seen a gain in ET. I do spend a lot of time on street engines playing with the mechanical and vacuum advances but on race motors it's just lightweight advance springs and adjusting the total advance to about 20 degrees. 14 degree initial, 34 degrees total all in by 3000 and you're pretty close.

 

I remember a LOT of people getting sucked in on Jacobs ignition systems, and LOTS of problems with them, along with a denial of any problems with those systems by Chris Jacobs.

If one reads Jacobs' book on ignition systems, as I have, he states that one of the very best factory ignition systems was/is the coil n cap GM HEI, in 4 places in that book.

I went through jumping through the Jacobs hoops on two of his systems, with NO resolve, NO joy. Switching back to other systems stopped the problems.

Just my experiences with Jacobs systems. Doesn't matter if Chris Jacobs has a PhD in electrical engineering, if his systems don't work well, and that is what I, and many other people found, then, they just don't work well.

Regards,

Milton

 

Remember Holley isn't made anymore and the Jacobs line has pretty much been rolled into the Accel/Mallory line up. Oh yes, you don't HAVE to use the Summit Coil with the Summit box.

I'm an Accel/Mallory dealer, check out some of their new coils, good stuff.

Another thing to remember, Nascar has 2 complete MSD ignition systems in every car because they fail.
ARCA uses Mallory systems, ZERO failures in over 5 years, ZERO.

 

Hi folks,

for what it's worth, I used my first Accel products in 1971, when they first made a big splash. I have used them on and off since. To me, they have always been very low quality and very unreliable. A "snappy" name, tho.

--Ranger
Aiken, SC

 

My new ignition.
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=210909
Cheers
Royden

 

I have one question for you and not sound cocky ok! Why does majority 95% Drag racers and 60% street racers use MSD DIGI then? I know there MSD digital 7-plus 7531 is used more then any system out there. Then again you could run a BigStuff3 system and never ever worry about any more guessing and run a simple cheap digital ignition system and set you perimeters and your done. and you have a datalog to help you too to farther better your engine. I prefer simplicity over guessing. I have ran almost every single ignition out there and I have yet to see which one out does the other in performance. I DHEI it's cheaper and easier then any system out there, you can have a rev-limiter installed if you want. Davis H.E.I. looks stock but packs one hell-of a punch.

 

I have my heart set on an MSD Ready-to-Run. Has an internal rev limiter, vacuum advance (can be locked out) and looks semi-stock. The coil isnt from outer space either. I think it will do all I ever need. Oh yea..it is around $300 for the distributer and the coil. Not bad.

 

People should really think about that, Everyone at NHRA use's one, Magneto, There powerful and relieable.

 

There is several makers that make a module for stock distributors and they up your rev's and better spark, down side. No rev limiter.

 

Has anybody used the new MSD 6 box, but the digital version? I have enough fried-after-the-warranty-is-out MSD 5a and 6Ts to make a little red Stonehenge in my garage.

But when they work they work well. They just don't like to be hooked up to +12 for over a year.

I need another new one, no warranty, and am looking the Digital 6. It seems like that's all they make now.

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/Ignitions/Daily_Driver/6425_-_Digital_6AL_Ignition_Control.aspx



Thanks, Jay

 

I installed a 6AL-2 on a friends car and it is working great.
Because it is a street/strip car it has a battery disconnect
which gets turned off when the car is garaged.

Paul

 

I have a 6AL-2 on 3GS and it was running well until the car wash. It's mounted on the front inner fender. I sent it to MSD and they fixed it for only $23 plus shipping. I asked why they don't have a waterproof housing? "Because we are unable to open up the box for repairs and then seal it up again." Me: "If you made it waterproof you wouldn't need to repair it. Can't you make a box with an O-ring that can be opened and resealed?" MSD: "No, that's impossible" IMPOSSIBLE! We can go to the moon and make smart phones but a waterproof resealable box is impossible. MSD has a poor attitude. I think I will shop more carefully if my box dies again.

 

Re: Low Cost Unilite Modules

So far still having great luck with Lectric Limited one wire conversion kit. Highly recommended for vehicles with good condition distributors. If your distributor shaft bushings are worn and there is lots of play, i recommend buying a reman unit and installing the kit.