Best place to mount an MSD

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 7:02 pm

I've been thinking about adding a MSD ignition control.

Anyone have a good suggestion on where to mount it?

The engine compartment seems pretty cramped in the areas that would be cool enough.

It has been a while since I've had the kick panels off, do you think there would be room behind one of those?

Any good voids under the dash?

I really don't want to resort to mounting it in the glove box

Shack Daddy · Post by **Shack Daddy** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 9:09 pm

Here are some pics of a Member from zr2.com's truck.

http://www.dfwzr2.com/main.asp?show=tec ... /msd6t.asp This will only work with a Airaid intake tho.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 12:21 pm

I came across a deal on the MSD 6AL.

Found one that was mis-marked and picked it up for $159.
I wasn't really interested in the limiter, but for that price I can't pass on it.
I'm going to order the harness (MSD-8877) so I can easily by-pass the box in an emergency.
It will be interesting to see if the claims of increased mileage are true.

If it is not an improvement, I'll add a timing control and use it on the Vega.

I think I'l be mounting it on the firewall above the engine, this seems to be the easiest place to access.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 8:05 pm

so fess-up. Were get such a good from? Are there any more? Keep us up to date on the results. I just started looking at them.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 9:10 pm

Jason wrote:so fess-up. Were get such a good from? Are there any more? Keep us up to date on the results. I just started looking at them.

The local Shuck's Auto Supply, they took the display box down and removed the tag from the shelf as they sold it to me. They were not sure where the pricing error was made it rang up at the register for $199, but sold it to me for the price on the shelf.

I guess it pays to keep your eyes open

We made a last minute run to Boise to pick up the wiring harness. It seems like a bit of a rip-off for 12" of wire and a few connectors ($30), but it does make it "plug-n-play". Plus it saves me the time of finding the right connectors, and I'll be able to install it in the morning.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 11:00 am

Installed-

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 11:39 am

Any performance gains?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 6:14 pm

Jason wrote:Any performance gains?

Nothing I can put a finger on. It might sound a bit "crisper" in the rpms 3000+ ,but that could be just wishful thinking.

I wasn't really expecting much of a difference in performance, though. The stock ignition in good condition is pretty hard to improve on, (performance wise) for normal driving.

Any gains in performance would probably be in the upper rpms, and I rarely go there.

I'm hoping for some mileage improvements. Plan is to run a couple tanks of fuel , then widen the plug gap .005 , repeat until I find the maximum mileage.

It will probably be a couple months before the jury is in

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 3:16 pm

Had a general alarm last night. The MSD does make a difference above 3000 it pulls harder now.

I was a bit suprised at the difference. Before it struggled a bit to gain speed in the upper rpm, last night it was enough of a difference I glanced down at the tach to see about where the increase was.

For some reason it is stronger and gains a bit more rpm in second now. I'm going to re-program with the HPPIII and lower the 2-3 shift point. It came real close to redline.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 5:21 pm

Thought I'd add a link to the thread that has been going on ZR2.com - MSD ? Jacobs? Mallory? Ignitions? Coils? What's the diff?

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon May 22, 2006 8:20 am

How did you actually attached it to your firewall?

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:34 pm

MSD 6AL mounted to the firewall

I think everything you need is in there. If you have more questions, feel free to ask

Blaze One · Post by **Blaze One** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:40 pm

Did u ever notice any improvment in mpg?

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon May 22, 2006 2:27 pm

HenryJ wrote:MSD 6AL mounted to the firewall

I think everything you need is in there. If you have more questions, feel free to ask

Thanks, I should have followed every link in that search on the MSD 6AL and I would have caught that.

Do you think that the 3M exterior tape would work? I know that you wouldn't recommend or do it yourself but, I am thinking about warranty issues and ease of covering my tracks if, another ignition warranty problem arises. I have over 55K left on my warranty.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon May 22, 2006 2:32 pm

Blaze One wrote:Did u ever notice any improvment in mpg?

Little if any improvements to mileage. After making the switch to iridium plugs, widening the gap was not an option I wanted to mess with.

The MSD was part of the plan after removal of the TB diffuser and limiting of the EGR system.

Overall my performance is really good and I still maintain mileage above advertised.

f9k9 wrote:...Do you think that the 3M exterior tape would work? ... I am thinking about warranty issues and ease of covering my tracks if, another ignition warranty problem arises.

Not in that location. I would prefer not to limit the airflow around it. It needs to remain as cool as possible.
Use the studs. There is nothing easier that removing the four nuts and bypassing the wiring , should you want to remove the box. Personally I would leave it installed and just bypass the wiring should there be any question.

Those isolation mount studs that I used are what you get when you pay extra for the "offroad" box, well that and an epoxy filled box. They are a very nice way to mount items that may be vibration sensitive.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon May 22, 2006 3:18 pm

Thanks again! I am just trying to fill the void between now and the arrival of the 33s which is kiiling me

I am resisting the temptation of "fine tuning" the "Skidz flares"

I was bombarded with attention this past weekend in SE VA and passed out several "S-10CrewCab.com" business cards to interested people. I even had an older Advance Auto parts employee quiz me like I was an alien. I guess that I am just numb from the wealth of CCs here locally but on my trip, I never saw another one.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon May 22, 2006 4:55 pm

Summit's "off road" vibration mounts are "MSD-8823" if. you are limited to local resources like I am. They list for $12.88 as of this date.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon May 22, 2006 5:03 pm

Seems like the ones that I used were purchased at my local TrueValue hardware store for under $1 each.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon May 22, 2006 5:15 pm

I am sure that most members can find them locally for what you paid for yours. I merely posted an alternative for those that may own pet ducks or spend $30 bucks in gas searching for what you have grown accustomed to finding locally.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:14 am

The 6AL came with the vibration mounts so, I guess I'll be shipping them back unless someone has a need for them

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat May 27, 2006 11:57 am

HenryJ wrote:.......................................................it is a bit of a trick to get the holes started for the drill, but a real good smack on the center punch should keep the drill from slipping since you can't get a straight shot on drilling the holes.

"A bit of a trick" is a definite understatement!

I centered punched and hammered and skidded down the firewall with an old drill bit and a new drill bit until blue in the face. Don't try it without a

to the tune of $68

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Tue May 30, 2006 2:22 pm

Brule,

My hot wire is where you placed yours (ignoring their instructions to go straight to the battery along with the ground). Where did you ground yours? I assume you didn't ground it where the "destructions" recommended. Firewall? My install is complete. No real impressions yet. Just had a few short hops (under 5 miles). Nice to have extra connection and other parts. My first impression of the company favorable.

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue May 30, 2006 2:34 pm

f9k9 wrote:...Where did you ground yours? ...Firewall?

Yes. At the ground strap to the engine.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Tue May 30, 2006 2:47 pm

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:03 pm

Be sure to fill us in on your impressions of the performance improvement, or lack thereof.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:23 pm

HenryJ wrote:Be sure to fill us in on your impressions of the performance improvement, or lack thereof.

My first impression is that I am a tad disappointed at the faster startups

I have to admit that I will leave the jury out on this one for now until I check my NGK Iridiums and distributer. It may even crank a tad longer to get going. It is well under one revolution of the crank until "lift off".

The "seat of the Pants" dyno says that it is stronger.

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Best place to mount an MSD

Best place to mount an MSD

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