MSD Ignition question ..

[NoJoke73]

Got a 73 with the 318..

I want to up grade the distributor and add a 6AL box..

Don't know much about distributors ..

Should I go with the reddy to run and vac. advance or with out vac. Advance ???

Any advantage to either ?

 

[65RoadRacer]

Got a 73 with the 318..

I want to up grade the distributor and add a 6AL box..

Don't know much about distributors ..

Should I go with the reddy to run and vac. advance or with out vac. Advance ???

Any advantage to either ?

Initially I had a Mopar Performance Dist with a 6AL, and I had some issues. I decided to get a Billet Distributor from MSD (not the "ready to run" type with the Ign in the cap) and used the new 6AL and I'm very happy with it. I actually had to change a couple of springs, and had never done it before and it was a piece of cake. Very informative instructions and even though I knew I had someone to fall back on if I screwed up, I was able to do it all myself. I didn't use vacuum advance because I'm using all mechanical advance. I'm at about 18-20 initial and 35-36 total timing. I also got a performance coil from MSD, but the Blaster II will work fine. Make sure you upgrade the coil if you're using the original one.

 

[Xp29h]

Same as 65roadracer. 6al2 box with billet distributor. I also changed a bushing and a couple springs. Easy! Timing is exact as listed above. Made a huge difference for me with a sick 383. Now same system in a stroked 400. Goes great!

Good luck!

 

[NoJoke73]

So what you guys are saying is not to worry about vac advance ? I'm not racing her ( obviously ) but I'd like to keep it fuel efficient .. I've read that the vac advance helps efficiency..? Or am I mistaken ?

 

[lewtot184]

So what you guys are saying is not to worry about vac advance ? I'm not racing her ( obviously ) but I'd like to keep it fuel efficient .. I've read that the vac advance helps efficiency..? Or am I mistaken ?

run the vacuum advance.

 

[coloradodave]

What Lew said. Vacuum advance will help mileage.

 

[snakeoil24]

You want vacuum advance it helps to control engine from running richa nd you can tailor timing for low level loads. A must on street motor..

 

[Shorthorse]

I put a MSD RTR in my small block bracket car (shifting at 6500 RPM's) on the suggestion of a good friend of mine that has raced for a long time. It served me very well and is still working after 8 or 9 years. I even bought a RTR E-Curve for back up that I never used. It had a built in rev limiter.
There's a lot of advantages to a RTR distributor. It really cleans up the wiring. It's easy to adjust the advance curve with lots of variations. They can be set up as either mechanical or vacuum advance. The cost of a MSD distributor and 6AL box is around $500 retail. The cost of the MSD RTR is about $410.
There are other ignition systems available out there like Firecore, Petronics and others. Maybe someone with experience on those will chime in.

 

[NoJoke73]

I was going to get the 6AL box as well, doesn't the box improve the system or is the RTR good enough as is?

Mind you this will be strictly a street driven car, with the occasional burn out to show off..

 

[383man]

On my sons Dart we run a stock Mopar dist I recurved with the MSD 6AL and it works good. I agree with all as I would run the vacum advance on your mild street car. Ron

 

[Shorthorse]

I was going to get the 6AL box as well, doesn't the box improve the system or is the RTR good enough as is?

Mind you this will be strictly a street driven car, with the occasional burn out to show off..

I really don't know if the RTR is better, worse or equal to the box. There may be some info on the web. It would have to do with things like spark output and duration which I can't find for the RTR. I think they are both good picks and for a mostly street car would work very well. The best part of a forum like this is that you get to read the experiences of lots of guys and real world results, good and bad.
Not to throw a blanket on your plans but MSD was recently purchased by Holley along with several other brands. There's no way of knowing Holley's actual plans for the product line going forward, which would include parts and repair services. An investment in these parts at this time can be a bit of a crap shoot given the history of merging companies no matter who they are or what they say. The good news is that there are a lot of new, smaller startup companies emerging that have some technically advanced ignition systems at very reasonable prices. Good luck.