yurizx6r

Hey guys, a buddy of mine wants to buy me either a (used) MSD distributor or MSD 6A ignition box... what should I go with? I would think it would be a better idea to upgrade the distributor FIRST, then add the box later. So far for ignition all I have is an MSD ignition coil, SN95 alternator, Ford Racing 9mm spark plug wires, and NGK plugs.

Also, will I see any difference with just the distributor or the box alone anyways?

dawson1112

OEM ignition will provide all the spark you need. Unless your dumping insane amounts of fuel because of huge power.

yurizx6r

Well it's a Christmas gift, so I'm not going to complain either way. lol I'm just wondering which would be better. My future plans is to bore it out to a 347 with AFR heads, so I figure 30lbl injectors should do it. I never plan to do forced induction.

Either way, more spark never hurts. Even if it's all stock. I'm just wondering which would be better to go with first. I'm leaning toward the distributor and just curious if I will notice any difference.

88 orangepeel notch

Nope, you won't notice a thing, performance wise. Unless your stock dizzy is wore out.

But I've read that a new MSD will wear out before any stock stuff. Not as well made as the factory dizzy.

Just have this person grab a gift card, or a online shopping spree from Latemodel Restoration. That would be money well spent.

dawson1112

Agreed the money spent toward any msd ignition could be put toward a set of rear gears 3.73 or 4.10s and you would definatly feel that difference.

yurizx6r

Well currently my focus is on getting better seats and upgrading my fuel delivery. My buddy is kind of insistent because he hates getting gift cards and he's desperate. lol I'm not going to turn down a free upgrade, so why the hell not? The only thing I've heard from people is that my idle will be a little more stable and maybe a slight slight slight bump in gas mileage, but who knows. Does that sound about right?

reldla1996

If I had to choose between only those two, I'd choose the ignition box, but with a nearly stock engine, you're not going to notice the difference.

88 orangepeel notch

+1 ^^^

Ignition box if I HAD to choose between the two.

yurizx6r

I figured I probably wouldn't notice a difference for where I'm at right now. The only thing that is holding me back is I need heads and a cam. Besides that, everything else on the car has been upgraded and ready to go (drive train, suspension, brakes... pretty much everything). Adding more spark is never a bad idea, so I guess either way I'm better off. I was just hoping I would notice something (smoother idle or better gas mileage I suppose).

Either way, I will eventually get both, so it's just a matter of getting the better component right now. Based of your recommendations, it seems like the ignition box would be the better route to start with. Eventually the stock TFI module will go, and in order to maximize the potential of the box it's a good idea to do the distributor with it. Thank you for all of your input guys.

mjr46

unless boost or no2 or high compression is being used.....the stock ignition is plenty adequate.............main reason I run crane on one ride and msd on another is one is supercharged and the other uses no2.....all used to prevent spark blow out