[Lumps!] Msd ignition control

Lumps
1

I have been thinking of installing a MSD 6A unit in my 5 liter TPI
engine. I am wondering if anybody has done this in this forum.
A few questions come to mind…

1-Does it make a difference big enough to justify the cost

2-does it interfere with the existing tachometer circuitry

3-is there any smog related drawback to this addition or is it
legal (mainly in the People’s Republic of California)

Appreciate any answers or comments.

                      Rick--

'85 XJ6/305 TPI/ 700R4
Los Angeles/California, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// list policy dictates that messages be trimmed

2

I haven’t done this, although I have the MSD HEI modules in my 305
Camaro powered S10, and my 350 Chevy powered Jag. They work just fine, no
regrets. Available from Summit, Jegs, P.A.W., etc. P.A.W. is a couple of
dollars more than the other two, but is located in the SFV, so no big deal.
I call them, they have it, I drive over, I buy it, I go home. If you
haven’t been in their warehouse location (on Nordhoff by De Soto), you will
be surprised and blown away. NAYYY.
I purchased a 6A to put in another car, but I haven’t gotten around to
it. I guess I could put the 6A in any of my three cars. How will it work?
I’ve heard good and bad (depends who you talk to), but the general gist of
it, if I understand correctly, is that the old ones added performance, but
could be unreliable. Supposedly the reliability problem has long since been
corrected.
The 6A is smog legal in all 50 states. If it does interfere with the
tach, a special wire with connector is included that MSD says will allow it
to work properly.

Al L.----- Original Message -----
From: “RickSmol” ricksmol@adelphia.net
To: lumps@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2004 5:11 PM
Subject: [Lumps!] Msd ignition control

I have been thinking of installing a MSD 6A unit in my 5 liter TPI
engine. I am wondering if anybody has done this in this forum.
A few questions come to mind…

1-Does it make a difference big enough to justify the cost

2-does it interfere with the existing tachometer circuitry

3-is there any smog related drawback to this addition or is it
legal (mainly in the People’s Republic of California)

Appreciate any answers or comments.

                      Rick

–
'85 XJ6/305 TPI/ 700R4
Los Angeles/California, United States

// list policy dictates that messages be trimmed

3

I don’t have the unit on my 383 yet, but do run them on my V6 90 Reatta and
93 Olds CS 3.4 twin cam. Both have modern distributorless ignitions so I
expected minimal benefits. I was surprised to see a somewhat better idle, a
little better top end, and little improvement in mileage. Both were
purchased used. Tach adaptors may be required for certain cars. They are
certified in California.
Remember, while most aftermarket ignition units advertise a stronger spark,
the spark produced by most modern ignitions is more than adequate. The MSD
is a multi-strike unit designed to fire the plug at intervals during the
power stroke which is supposed to give more power and greater gas
efficiency.

Does it justify the cost
does it interfere with the tach
is it legal California)

// list policy dictates that messages be trimmed

4

I put an MSD 6AL in my 454 powered XJS along with an MSD billet
distributor. I did it because the HEI quit as soon as I got the car home
to my driveway, and I didn’t want to buy an HEI unit, and had plans for
more motor in the car. I can’t tell you whether it’s better than the HEI
performance wise because I had only 4 hours driving time before the HEI
quit. There is a terminal on the side of the MSD to run the tach, and
the Jag tach works just fine connected to that terminal. It’s been zero
trouble for 4 years/ 45,000 miles. I hope this helps.

John Magee
82 XJS/454/700R4
93 XJS 4.0 convertDate: Sun, 7 Mar 2004 02:11:05 +0100
From: “RickSmol” ricksmol@adelphia.net
Subject: [Lumps!] Msd ignition control

I have been thinking of installing a MSD 6A unit in my 5 liter TPI
engine. I am wondering if anybody has done this in this forum.
A few questions come to mind…

1-Does it make a difference big enough to justify the cost

2-does it interfere with the existing tachometer circuitry

// list policy dictates that messages be trimmed