I currently have a GMPP 454HO with a GM HEI Dizzy. I constantly get "you should run a MSD Ignition on that". Sadly, I really have no idea if it would benefit my performance or not. If it would, what MSD box/setup would you reccomend for my current setup? There are so dang many to chosse from and my car is a weekend cruiser / red light to red light runner!!!!
To MSD or Not To MSD? That Is The Question
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Do nothing.....
exactly, do nothing.
If your HEI is in good shape it's hard to improve on. The GM module is a very high quality piece compared to most of the overpriced aftermarket stuff. If some guy claims you need some BS 50,000 Volt coil it means he doesn't understand the first thing about how ignitions really work, blow these guys off. Ignition stuff has always been, still is and probably always will be the most overhyped stuff out there.
If your HEI is in good shape it's hard to improve on. The GM module is a very high quality piece compared to most of the overpriced aftermarket stuff. If some guy claims you need some BS 50,000 Volt coil it means he doesn't understand the first thing about how ignitions really work, blow these guys off. Ignition stuff has always been, still is and probably always will be the most overhyped stuff out there.
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I would have to agree with the others. I don't think you will see any performance gain. I just installed a MSD digital E-curve but only because the GM HEI would not clear the tunnel ram. The cdi may clean up the low rpm and the idle, but if you are not having any problems now save you cash. I personaly have a Crane cdi which is all digital, unlike the msd. Also has the rev limited dials, unlike the 6al. If I could do it over again I would have got the crane dist. It has the timing curve dials on the outside of the dist. , once again unlike the msd.
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:yes:
I agree. Unless you have some need for a rev limiter, the HEI will do just fine. Simple and easy to get parts.
I agree. Unless you have some need for a rev limiter, the HEI will do just fine. Simple and easy to get parts.
But does a 425 HP 454 or your typical street car need one? Nope!
Heck,my mild 454 runs mid/low 12's and gets by just fine with a GM HEI that has been properly curved.An MSD spark box isn't going to make the car run any quicker,and thats a fact
As previously mentioned,the MSD HEI module with the built in rev limiter is a nice piece.
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11,295 Posts
How about this for some real world data:
I had a 454HO with the msd 6al and the billet msd hei. Needed some funds so I sold the setup and bought a new GM dizzy out of a ZZ502 for 75.00. Guess what? Cant feel a difference whatsoever. Plus the ZZ502 dizzy has the appropriate distrib gear your suppose to have with the steel cam.
BTW - I also have a ZZ502 mini starter for 40.00 - its a sweet piece.
I had a 454HO with the msd 6al and the billet msd hei. Needed some funds so I sold the setup and bought a new GM dizzy out of a ZZ502 for 75.00. Guess what? Cant feel a difference whatsoever. Plus the ZZ502 dizzy has the appropriate distrib gear your suppose to have with the steel cam.
BTW - I also have a ZZ502 mini starter for 40.00 - its a sweet piece.
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1,138 Posts
I have a 6AL in my car, works great. To me spending a couple hundred would be worth it. Since my car is a stick, if you gas it the tires will start spinning and the rpm's shoot up reallll quick. Its nice to have a rev-limiter.:yes:
To me spending a couple hundred would be worth it. Since my car is a stick, if you gas it the tires will start spinning and the rpm's shoot up reallll quick. Its nice to have a rev-limiter.:yes:Mallory now has an HEI module with a built in rev limiter.
It uses dip switches to set the RPM limit instead of a tiny rotatry dial. (I can't read without my glasses but I can feel stuff.)
My HEI was done up by a local circle track racer and spun the engine to 6800 on the dyno no problem.
The coil and module look like stock pieces but he sanded out the ID numbers so you can't figure out what he is using.
It uses dip switches to set the RPM limit instead of a tiny rotatry dial. (I can't read without my glasses but I can feel stuff.)
My HEI was done up by a local circle track racer and spun the engine to 6800 on the dyno no problem.
The coil and module look like stock pieces but he sanded out the ID numbers so you can't figure out what he is using.
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6,481 Posts
I am getting a MSD modual for my HEI for the revlimiter and cuase the stock accell modual burnt out. if it was me Id keep the stock HEI ppl telling you you need the MSD stuff dont know what there talking about they just think they do. Here is a good point though its your car do what you want not what others say. nuff said good luck on what ever you decide.
I had an MSD 6AL and the billet distributor in my 454. The distributor is extremely prone to corrosion under the cap and is a pain to clean. Plus I had the box die on me more than once only to come back alive without any reason. Talk about diagnostic nightmare.
The major difference I've found after changing to a GM HEI is that the front end of the car sits a lot lower -- with the MSD the car was constantly hoisted up on a tow truck.
The major difference I've found after changing to a GM HEI is that the front end of the car sits a lot lower -- with the MSD the car was constantly hoisted up on a tow truck.
Just for giggles, I removed all my MSD Stuff when the box I had went south at a track rental..Remember that day Chris? Well I carried a spare MSD box, installed it, car started right up and I ran some passes.
The next week the spare was out and the GM HEI setup was back, ran a bunch of 10.3x's on the GM HEI with an older msd module that I kept as a spare.
Since then I have the changed to the rev limited MSD Module that sleeps under the cap in the Monte, I have one under the GM HEI in my chevelle too. I also carry a new in the package MSD rev limited module as a spare and the old one as well.
Yea, it may clean up the idle on a race tune-up with the multiple sparks under 2000 ?? RPM, but a street tune-up should be clean at idle.
You have a very sweet car, hide the rev limited module under your cap (carry the old one as a spare) and keep the engine compartment cleaner and have less things to break and possibly leave you stranded.
The next week the spare was out and the GM HEI setup was back, ran a bunch of 10.3x's on the GM HEI with an older msd module that I kept as a spare.
Since then I have the changed to the rev limited MSD Module that sleeps under the cap in the Monte, I have one under the GM HEI in my chevelle too. I also carry a new in the package MSD rev limited module as a spare and the old one as well.
Yea, it may clean up the idle on a race tune-up with the multiple sparks under 2000 ?? RPM, but a street tune-up should be clean at idle.
You have a very sweet car, hide the rev limited module under your cap (carry the old one as a spare) and keep the engine compartment cleaner and have less things to break and possibly leave you stranded.
>> "The major difference I've found after changing to a GM HEI is that the front end of the car sits a lot lower -- with the MSD the car was constantly hoisted up on a tow truck."
LOL, HaHa, hehehe, all that.
Ever notice those NASCAR cars have two complete ignition systems? And I mean complete too, not just the box. What do you suppose caused that?
LOL, HaHa, hehehe, all that.
Ever notice those NASCAR cars have two complete ignition systems? And I mean complete too, not just the box. What do you suppose caused that?
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