Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

I don't know squat about the msd set up. But have recently come across a couple of threads mentioning that they develop rust. No 1st hand experience, just what I've read recently.

I have run a TBIV in my ZZ502/502 for 4 seasons and have had 0 problems with it.

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

Those blue boxes in the windshield on Sunday are Crane. The Crane system is very popular with the Nascar boys.. . .of course this comes from an "oil pan salesman".

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

I run an MSD billet distributor and an MSD crank trigger system hooked up to a Crane Hi-6M ignition box. A crank trigger system may not be totaly necessary, but it's one of the best systems out there and it works very well in a marine environment---at least it has for me. Haven't had a problem with a Crane ignition box yet either---they are over 5 years old. :D

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

All the top Nextel teams use MSD ignitions
http://www.msdignition.com/news2006.html

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

So why do they run 2 boxes ?

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

the msd distributers have a severe corrosion issue with the trigger wheel becoming rusted then knocking out the 6m box.you can keep cleaning the rust but the boxes get expensive for the customers,and this is in a fresh water environment.just my professional opinion.

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

NASCAR teams need to finish to win. Just like any other part on a race car, an electronic piece can fail. If an MSD box were to fail, they would not be able to finish. They are allowed to run two of them, and they do as cheap insurance. Any backup system that a NASCAR team can run, they do. If they were allowed to run a second engine, they would do that also. :D

There are many other choices in ignition systems. The fact that most of the top 25 teams in Nextel Cup use MSD should speak for itself.

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

Understood. But why do these boxes fail ? We use the marine box & seems to fail when needed the most. Seems they only last so long. I've got mine mounted on rubber bushing's & thought vibration was a factor. I have a 2 engine aplication and would like to run a spare box. Could I run 1 spare switched to 2 engines ? Would it be possible to get a schematic on that ?

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

Still coming up to speed on marine stuff, but Fasteddy is right. MSD's are run all over the place in motorsports because they've been around forever, and once apon a time, they provided the best spark you could get in an ignition system. But now there are better, more reliable modules out there. However, anywhere they run one, they run two. They're VERY old technology electronically speaking, and are not very reliable.

Although a crank triggered, multi-spark, distributorless, CD ignition is certainly going to give a better, more controlable spark under all conditions, for my money, on a boat, simpler is better. Sounds like you guys have good luck with the TB's. Unless I had plug fouling, idle, or high rpm issues, I'd stick with the "old reliable" any day. The more electronics you put into the boat, the more you have to go wrong (and this comes from a long time FI guy)

Re: msd or thunderbolt 4
 

There are several ways to wire up spare boxes. This link shows the easiest using an MSD switch
http://www.msdignition.com/pdf/6%20series/pdf7.pdf

It would probably be cheaper and easier to set up your spare box so that it is a direct plugin to the wiring on the engine. (as you have marine boxes, they already have the watertite plugs) Then, if you had an issue with the box, you could just switch the wires, and continue on.

How many hours/time are you running the box before you have a failure issue?