Got MSD Ignition today......

[black97cam]

didnt get it installed yet, still in the box. Just wondering if this will make a huge difference in performance.

I will most likely get my tune-up before I install the ignition.

will this mod combined w/ my intake and catback shave any time off of my ET's????

[AMinor65]

Hey, I got mine today too! Probably won't be on for a few weeks, because I'm gonna redo the entire ignition system. If you're gonna run N/A, you might want to read the research that I've been doing to get the most out of your new ignition.

My new setup will be based on these facts. If you get performance coils and some decent 8mm wires, you can try adding another .005 making your plug gap .065 if you have a 3.8. Add an MSD or some other aftermarket ignition to that mix, you may be able to add .01 to the stock gap, making it .070 Allows you to utilize that bigger stronger spark. I've done quite a bit of research today, and I'm gonna do more, but it seems that the best way to benefit from a MSD or performance coil packs on N/A engines is to play with the gap. Your packs may not last as long (15 yrs compared to 10 years, or some other ratio), but you should get a few more horses along with the better throttle response from your improved ignition. If this gapping is taken to the extreme you can get some knock retard at WOT. I guess you have to kinda play it by ear.
Some guys always gap their plugs at least .01 over the recommended stock gap. They feel that the stock ignition at the very least can support this. And, there's probably some truth to it, because after 40k miles, the gap on your plugs can move anywhere from .005 to .10, and the car still runs relatively fine.
After I install my MSD and the coils I decide on (Jacobs or MSD when the arrive in the stores), I'll replace my plugs. I'm gonna check the gap of each plug to see how much they've moved. At the very least, I'll set my new plugs at these "extended gaps" as long as they don't go over .015. Did all of my research on camaroz28, clubgp, and google.com(dejanews). Note: I don't know what all of this will do to the minimum octane rating for your car, so be careful.

[black97cam]

well i plan on spraying as soon as my gear package arrives and is installed.

i have the n20 kit already....

i have the MSD Ignition...

i have the NGK-TR6 plugs....

so once i get it ALL i will hook up the ignition.

[AMinor65]

Oh, you wanna go REAL fast. Nevermind. :D

[black97cam]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AMinor65:
Oh, you wanna go REAL fast. Nevermind. :D <hr></blockquote>

hahaha thats an understatement...

actually its "I wanna go REAL fast quickly!" Im sick of sitting around waiting for my gear package to arrive! it is the ONLY thing holding me back from installing the n20!

[Magnus]

My honest oppinion about the MSD DIS-4...

It adds ZERO HP on a 3.8. I've tested it on several occasions at the track.. back to back runs with and without it.. ran the EXACT same.

Our stock ICM (Ignition Control Module) and coil pack setup is plenty strong.

The DIS-4 is a proven winner on the 3.4 however.

The one GOOD thing about the DIS-4 is the tach output.. I used that for my window switch with nitrous.. but I hear MSD makes an adapter so you don't need the DIS-4 and can use the stock ignition + adapter to recieve tach output.

I sold mine to a 3.4 owner.

[AMinor65]

Thanks, Magnus for your opinion. It'll be cool to see that MSD box under the hood though. :D And I get to add a new sticker under the hood. :D The guys that change my oil, think I know about high performance now. They ask me questions and stuff. :D I'm also gonna gap the plugs at .070 after I get the MSD coils and 8.5mm wires. Wish me luck, because I don't wanna change them back out because of a Misfire. Hey, did you know that Jacobs thinks that you should increase your gap. This is what they say:
"The increased spark plug gap is actually very important to getting the most out of our (or most any other) high performance ignition system. While the amount of energy needed to sustain the spark across a wider gap is actually not significantly more than a smaller one (within reason); the arc-over requirements vary substantially. Second, the larger gaps also provide more area for the arc-over and spark to take place, thereby exposing them to a greater amount of the fuel air charge and further ensuring more complete combustion. While .015 to .020 increases don't look like very much, the aerial profile or "surface" of the arc-over & spark changes dramatically. The benefit of this increased arc-over and spark area is well known. Multi-electrode plugs or weird geometry plugs have tried to capitalize on this using "stock" ignitions for years - some with great success. Indeed, some of these plugs can coax out substantially improved arc-over and spark characteristics at lower voltages. Although these plugs are easy to install, they are not really a complete answer."

What's your "real world" opinion on N/A cars?

[Magnus]

again

MSD DIS-4 is NOT worth it on 3.8, NA, Nitrous, or SC.. you will not GAIN power.. the good thing DIS-4 can do for you is retard timing.. BUT a MAFT+ can do that as well also.. and Mike Huff thinks the MAFT+ does a better job.

My real world oppinion about gap is.. we already have a large stock gap.. .060".. you going to run .070 or .080????? :eek:

NGK TR55's come gapped at .050.. I didn't bother regapping them.. I went 13.8 NA with terrible tuning...

My real world oppinion is our gaps are already fairly large.. your statements about larger gaps apply to cars whose stock cap is .035 or similar.

[ April 26, 2002: Message edited by: Magnus ]</p>

[Tyler]

damn magnus...how the hell you run a 13.8. did the head work and Cam help out alot to achieve these times? im gonna go ahead and port and polish my heads and intake to the same specs as SSM but keep the stock cam but get better rockers with a higher ratio... any opinions?

[Magnus]

I ran 14.0 stock heads/cam....

if your going to spend so much money on higher ratio rockers, just skip that and buy a camshaft.. you'll gain MUCH more power.

The rockers are way over priced anyway.

[Tyler]

thanks

edit: woah..what did you do to your car to run 14.0 on stock heads and cam?!? thats amazing!

edit#2: disguard that last question..i checked out your webpage and read all of it.. nice! i admire your car.. [img]smile.gif[/img]
[ April 27, 2002: Message edited by: Tyler ]

[ April 27, 2002: Message edited by: Tyler ]</p>

[SweetNsLowV6]

who did you get your Cam from magnus??

[ April 27, 2002: Message edited by: SweetNsLowV6 ]</p>

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SweetNsLowV6:
who did you get your Cam from magnus??

[ April 27, 2002: Message edited by: SweetNsLowV6 ]<hr></blockquote>

Custom grind from comp cams. Do a search for specs on here.