I was wondering about upgrading my electronic ignition in the future, far future because the system I'm looking at's about $150 and I could think of better things to spend my money on... but when the time comes I was wondering if changing to an aftermarket electronic ignition is worthwhile. From what I've heard of them they sound good, I'm not expecting 50 horse gains or anything but it sounds like they would be an in general good upgrade freeing up 5 horses and extra gas mileage not to mention a clean looking spot for a tachometer lead(it seems like without the electronic ignition I would have to get the reading at the coil and that would look that good. Anyway, I'd like opinions even though I don't plan on doing this anytime soon, I first plan on putting a relay on my ignition switch and seeing how that helps starting.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

The fact that you don't ever have to change points again is reason enough to switch from points to electronic ignition. Plus, as soon as you start an engine with points, they start wearing and changing the dwell/timing.

If you ever see efi in your future, an aftermarket box with tach output (or an hei module) would be necessary unless you go the crank/cam sensor route.

Also, multiple spark boxes have been known to give better idle and throttle response characteristics in the low rpm ranges (IIRC msd brand boxes only use multiple sparks below 3500rpm). As well, with multiple sparks you have a more complete combustion, which helps our old engines pass smog inspections if you are subject to them. MSD brand boxes even have a CARB exemption number so they are even a legit ignition replacment for ppl in california. Perfect excuse to get rid of lean burn...

Eric W, My car is electronic ignition currently, I'm talking of upgrading it to an aftermarket ignition, but thanks for the input. Luckily for the people with points an original equipment electronic ignition isn't that expensive, I'd hate the idea of owning points.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

If you have Mopar electronic ignition, MSD should drop right in. I'm pretty P.O.'ed over the MSD kit I bought, it didnt fit over my distributor cam, but you shouldnt have a problem with it. I think you could just keep your MP ignition and hide your extra coil wire quite successfully with heatshrink tubing, Perma-Seal connectors and double sided rubber tape, though.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

This is probably a stupid question, but doesn't MSD stand for a brand, or does it stand for something else? I'm asking because the unit that I like is from jcwhitney, it's called FC-1000, from Jacob electrics.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

MSD stands for Multiple Spark Discharge, and is a brand name. They have a trademark on the abbreviation I would assume because it is the brand name but obviously not on the technology. http://www.msdignition.com/

It used to be MSD by Autotronics. But like the Mini, Rambler, or even Valiant in Aussie, it became a band in its own right. We had Valiant Galants down here in the 70's, a Colt Galant with a Valiant badge!

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A FordSix.Com refugee. Former Aussie 225 AP5 owner. Non-violent, and totally aware of Slanted Chry-Power.

I think MSD is one of those brand names that got so well known that people use the name to refer to the technology. An "msd" box could refer to the brand name, or perhaps one of the several other brand multiple spark boxes. Kind of like a xerox machine for a copier or clorox for bleach.

I know this is old topic, but I've seen some people get cranky if people asking questions didn't look at old topics. I was looking at the ignition system I like and it delivers spark up to 10,000 rpm on an 8cylinder, 20,000 rpm on a 4 cylinder. Since I don't know engines is this too much for the slant, and if so does anyone know of an electronic ignition system that is a good choice for the slant six and has a dedicated tach output(one of the things I really like about the system). I was just worried that with such high output this system might hurt the engine since I really have no clue how many rpms a /6 is capable of.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

Just because it has that capability does not mean it has too much energy for lower RPMs. I have been running MSD 6A ignitions on my daily drivers and racers for many years with no trouble. It is a very reliable system.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I along with many other people use an MSD6a or 6al with our slants. My build is stock, others are exotic. It is a good fit. It also has a tach output, as do most of the aftermarket boxes. I also run a msd blaster2 coil.

I don't think you have to worry about a box being too hot for the engine. You can always play around with plug heat ranges if you need fine tuning, but better to get a capable box and mess with plugs then keep replacing boxes.