MSD Ignition

[Pope1]

Someone was singing the praises of an aftermarket MSD ignition system today. Has anyone had experience of using one on a Beta?

Chris

[VX131R]

M.S.D......might stop dead :lol:

[Pope1]

I thought it was ... Might Surprise Doubters! :D

It's the best part of US$400 for the version that retards the ignition as your boost increases. It would have to be brilliant for that amount of money surely, that's 50% of the value of my car.

Maybe it's might stop detonation?

[VX131R]

Well I would be biased, I'm an agent for Bosch.

M.S.D stands for multiple spark discharge I think, but see what happens at 3000 rpm, single spark only.

Has a bad name over here and is normally only seen on laxy american V8's.

Bosch is better....to take a line from their marketing adverts, :D

[Pope1]

Thanks for the warning. Must admit that it crossed my mind that for that sort of money the distributor-less Electromotive system still seems preferable. Thought I'd ask a question or two though because the guy that mentioned it was raving about improved combustion at low revs.

[Fingers]

Not really sure what sort of system you're after Chris but one of my friends here put Luminition on his Montecarlo and is quite happy with it, not a complete sytem though and it wasn't expensive.

[Pope1]

Actually not planning to do much at the moment. A few months ago I had problems that I thought were due to ignition. I've had some distributor problems so I started looking at alternatives. Will mentioned the Electromotive system which I must admit looks good.

Since then I've discovered that my issues were carb related and my existing electronic ignition is probably OK for a while longer. The MSD thing only came up in passing and the guy was so enthusiastic about it that I thought I'd find out more. From what I can remember from way back, Luminition offer an optically triggered alternative to a conventional points system so it's probably a good upgrade for a Monte that uses points. Don't know whether it would be any better than the standard VX system that uses a Hall effect mag sensor for its triggering. Assuming one has a VX where the ignition system is working OK, I suspect that the only real improvement would be something like the Electromotive that does away with the distributor altogether. Total cost is between $500 and $700 and you've got to carefully and securely fit a trigger wheel to the crank pulley so you've really got to want it.

[Tom McGaffigan]

I have a Crane CD ignition with multispark, rev limiter and boost retard. I have had it on my 2 liter Volumex Monte Scorpion for 3 years or so. It works great. The multispark feature improved the idle and the high energy output increased power. I run 8.5 lbs of boost with long duration cams so I need a good spark. The rev limiter is built in and is externally adjustable. I also got Cranes high output coil and 8mm Magnecore plug wires at the same time. No, not cheap but it did make a big difference, the rev limiter is nice insurance, that alone is worth the price. It works with points, optical or magnetic pickups.
Tom McGaffigan :twisted:

[Pope1]

Tom, thanks for that input. Sounds like the MSD system. Also sounds like the main difference with Electromotive is the triggering. I've also got the Magnecor leads and am heading in the direction of higher boost and with an IE inlet cam.

Revs - what are they. Since I got my car running again I've been treating it like a baby because I've wanted to change the timing belt first. :roll:

Does the Crane system come with a MAP sensor and does it allow you to specify the amount of retard in relation to the boost?

Chris

[Tom McGaffigan]

The Crane ignition system I have is a Capacitive discharge system with multispark, rev limiter and boost retard. It is not a programable system. It is triggered by any type of distributor, point type, photo electric or magnetic. The advance mechanism in your dist controls the advance curve except when boost is sensed by the unit then it dials in retard propotional to boost. The amount of retard can be adjusted with a knob on the unit. For example it can be set for 1 degree per lb of boost or 3 degrees per lb of boost. Go to Crane Cams website. They have progamable also.
http://www.cranecams.com/index.php?show=browseParts&lvl=5&prt=130

Tom McGaffigan :twisted:

[Pope1]

Yep, very similar to MSD in terms of functionality.

So the benefits on the road are smoother running and more power? Is the power at the top end or right across the rev range? Any change in fuel consumption?

[Tom McGaffigan]

I did get a slight increase in MPG (maybe 2 MPG, US gallons) and smoother running at all RPM. The engine easily pulls all the way to its 7,000 RPM redline and would go way beyond if not for the rev limiter. I have never had any plug fouling and it always starts at the first crank.
Tom McGaffigan :twisted:

[Pope1]

Yes, the dreaded plug fouling. I've got some wonderful examples of that. Tom, forgive me if you've told me this before, but what changes did you make to your fuelling/mixture when you increased the supercharger boost?

Chris