Msd Top Ten Ignition Questions Tech Bulletin User Manual download pdf

MSD’s Tech Bulletins are designed to give you a more in-depth

understanding of the ignition system and its components. If you have any other questions about the

subject or MSD products you can contact our Customer Support Department at (915) 855-7123 or

email your questions to [email protected].

Top Ten Ignition Questions

MSD’s Customer Support Department receives numbers of calls and e-mails everyday from racers and enthusiasts

seeking recommendations or ways to tweak out another tenth of performance. To help you learn more about ignitions, they

all got together and came up with this list of the top ten questions they receive.

If your top question isn’t included in this list, call our Customer Support Team at (915) 855-7123 or e-mail us at msdtech@

msdignition.com. Our techs are ready and able to answer all of your questions!

1. What’s the differences between a Capacitive Discharge (CD) igni-

tion like an MSD and my stock ignition system?

The biggest difference is that the majority of stock ignitions

are inductive ignitions. Inductive ignition systems are used

due to their simplicity and inexpensive production. For stock

applications these ignitions are adequate, but when it comes

to gaining performance, factory inductive ignitions fall short.

The primary weak link of a stock ignition is because the coil

serves double duty. The coil must act as a step-up transformer

to create a higher voltage spark, plus it needs to store this

power until the ignition is triggered. As engine rpm increases

there isn’t enough time to completely step-up the voltage

before the ignition is triggered resulting in a weaker spark.

This low voltage spark may not be enough to light the fuel

mixture in the cylinder which will result in a misﬁre and loss

of power.

A CD ignition, like an MSD 6 Series, is capable of producing

full power sparks throughout the entire rpm range. It draws

its energy directly from the battery where a custom wound

transformer steps it up to over 460 volts. This voltage is then

stored in a capacitor until the ignition is triggered. At this point,

all of the voltage is dumped into the coil where it is transformed

into even more voltage, anywhere from 30,000 - 45,000 volts

depending on the coil, which is sent to the distributor and

ﬁnally to the plugs.

The ability to produce high power sparks throughout the

entire rpm range of your engine is why you need a CD ignition. The payoff is complete combustion of the fuel mix-

ture which results in more power, increased throttle response, a smooth idle, quick starts, improved economy and

reduced plug fouling.

All engines will beneﬁt from a CD ignition but when you’re planning on engine modiﬁcations, the need for an MSD

Ignition increases. In particular, if you’re planning these types of engine modiﬁcations, you should be installing a CD

ignition:

• Improving air ﬂow into the engine or richening the fuel mixture (rejetting or larger injectors)

• Adding a super/turbocharger or a nitrous oxide system

• Increasing the compression ratio and consistent high rpm operation

2. Why does an MSD produce multiple sparks and what are the beneﬁts?

Conventional CD ignitions supply one spark of intense energy but for a short duration (time). An MSD uses mul-

tiple sparking technology to take advantage of the quick rise time and power of a CD Ignition by producing a series

of sparks. More sparks equal more heat in the combustion chamber resulting in complete combustion of the fuel

mixture which produces more power. At lower rpm, there are many beneﬁts to multiple sparks including a smooth

Other steps to avoid EMI problems include routing your coil’s primary wires away from other plug wires. The mag-

netic pickup harness coming from the distributor or crank trigger should be routed away from other wires and is a

good idea to have it mounted along a metal surface that will act as a ground plain. MSD also offers a six feet long

shielded mag pickup cable, PN 8862, that can be used if you are having problems with EMI interfering with other

electronics on your vehicle.

9. How can I test an MSD ignition to see if it is working?

Checking for spark output of your MSD is easy. Following is a simple procedure for testing your MSD for spark.

1. Turn the ignition switch “OFF”.

2. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and place it 1/2” from ground. DO NOT CRANK OVER THE ENGINE. When

you continue with this test, a high voltage spark will jump this 1/2” gap so make sure there is no fuel or ﬂammable

mixtures near the plug wire end.

3. If triggering with the Magnetic Pickup (Green and Violet):

A. Disconnect the magnetic trigger wires from the MSD. Turn the Ignition Switch “On”. DO NOT CRANK OVER

THE ENGINE.

B. Use a paper clip or jumper wire to short the Green and Violet wires going to the MSD together several times. A

spark should jump the gap every time the wires are shorted.

4. If triggering with the White wire (points/ampliﬁer):

A. Disconnect the White wire of the MSD from the

distributor trigger or ignition ampliﬁer. Turn the

Ignition Switch “On”. DO NOT CRANK OVER

THE ENGINE.

B. Tap the White MSD wire to ground several

times. A spark should jump the gap as you do

this.

5. If there is no spark, substitute another ignition coil

and repeat the test. If there is now spark, the coil is

at fault. If there is still no spark it is possible that the

MSD Ignition needs to be serviced. If the warranty

period is over, MSD offers repairs at nominal fees.

For more information on repair services, contact our

Customer Support Department at (915) 855-7123

or [email protected]

10. Why should I purchase MSD

products over another manu-

facturer?

In the last few years a lot of other “performance”

ignition companies have cropped up and not surpris-

ingly, their ignitions are all similar to an MSD. They’re

capacitive discharge, multiple sparking designs

with rev limiters and timing controls. MSD was the

ﬁrst ignition company to use capacitive discharge,

multiple sparking technology. We were the ﬁrst to

offer rev limiters, billet distributors and crank triggers. We know what it takes to deliver ignition performance and reli-

ability. These are things you only learn with experience and we have over 25 years of exclusive performance ignition

experience.

MSD goes to great lengths to provide the best performing and most reliable ignition components available. Every

ignition that leaves our building has undergone a battery of tests including a four hour burn-in. The complete MSD

line features a one year warranty and we have an excellent core of engineers, technicians and support personel at

the races and available to answer your calls about ignition systems.

In short, MSD builds the best performing and most reliable ignition products available and we have the wins and

records to back this up. When you’re reading through the magazines or walking through the pits at a race, look inside

the winners’ cars to see what ignition they’re running; MSD Ignition.

Bonus Pointers:

• You don’t need a ballast resistor if you are using an MSD Ignition Control. If you are using a points system

with a Blaster Coil a ballast resistor is required.

• You can run an MSD Ignition Control to a 16 volt battery source.

• Do not run solid core spark plug wires with an MSD Ignition.

• Yes, an MSD will install to a late model LT-1 Chevrolet engine.

Checking for spark with the magnetic pickup as a trigger.

Checking for spark with the white wire as a trigger.

Summary of Contents

Page 1 - Tech Bulletin

MSD’s Tech Bulletins are designed to give you a more in-depth understanding of the ignition system and its components. If you have any oth

Page 2

idle, improved throttle response plus the spark series prevents fouling plugs or fuel loading up in the cylinder when air/fuel distribution is poor.

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