I have an MSD 6al with MSD cap, rotor & wires. I currently use the stock HEI coil and module. Will I gain any power by upgrading to an MSD HEI or Blaster type coil even though I shift at a maximum of 5800 rpm. Would the MSD coil allow me to use a wider spark plug gap than I could use with the stock coil?

Save your money. GM says the stock coil is good through 6000+ so why waste money on a different name. My ZZ3 pulls hard through 6000 with the stock distributor and coil. I doubt you could measure a difference at 5800 rpm.
Bill

Heartily agree.

Thanks for the input guys. I will spend my money elsewhere.

Don't forget; a different color coil is good for 10 MPH when involved in serious bench racing !!!Same for different color wires !!
Chrome items can add 15 MPH.

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Which is the most powerful colored wires?
Mine are red. :)
Bill

I used red wires and got an additional 12 horse power.

I disagree with the stock HEI assesment though. I put a Super HEI set up in a stock HEI distributor and found a marked difference in my idle over the stock set up. I had a Comp Cams Magnum 280 cam.

The MSD is a bit of an overkill if you are not racing though.

Jacobs' total system is a pretty good way to go . . . it includes the coil, charging wire, and spark management pack. I had one on my 71 Chevelle w/ a ZZ2 engine, and the idle was smoother, the performance was a little crisper, and (get this) the gas milage was better by 1-2 mpg (a lot when you only average 13-14). Unfortunately, it fried in the middle of New Mexico during a long drive cross country after 2 yrs daily use. But hey, the those two years were pretty good!

Just food for thought!

- Matt S.

Hey, just in case no one else mentioned, the December 98 Car Craft has a good article on ignition systems.
DJ