What performance ignition does everyone run?
 

I've got a MSD box that is going out and was told that if I plan to run MSD I should always carry a spare because they ALWAYS go out. Marine box or not they can't handle boating. He suggested that I just go back to the original merc. distr. set-up. Im running a 502 and gonna put a blower, probably a 10-71with just 8psi boost, on it. Nothing crazy but I want plenty of room for power improvements later. I was wondering what most of you run?

I've been running a MSD 6AL since 1992 with no problems. I've heard of more problems with the marine version. Just my experience though.

The 6AL is coupled with a MSD Coil, Wires and Stock Merc TBIV Distributor and 22* advance module. IMO simplicity and reliability at it's best.

Stay away from DUI, I have DUI and am changing them out, shaft and star wheel were not attached securely causing erratic timing and I detonated three pistons ! Fixed that and advance weights came loose destroying cap rotor and advance module, lots of fun running on one motor for 25 miles!

MSD 6 Marine version.

Nothing wrong with the later thunderbolt systems.

Uncle Dave

For what you are building, MSD will be your best choice. I have never heard of an MSD box "going out." Normally, they either work or they don't.

About 15 years ago I ran a 6 al. Second time out it took a crap. I took it apart and a componet had broken off the board. I replaced it with a 6m the marine version and have never had a problem since. Be sure to connect the power wires from it directly to the battery. I also heard it's best to keep them as short as possible. I mounted mine on the transom right by the battery so the wires are only maybe 15" long.

What He said^ and stay away from the new stuff,MSD sold out to China which sucks,I too need to find an alternative.:readinghelp:


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...SaN9OQ&cad=rja

I'm running DUI's...have run them in the past with no issues. I see quite a few of them on stock and performance boats here and in the Caribbean.

I have run Mallory and MSD in my drag cars...they work great in a dry predictable environment but I am dubious about their durability offshore. I ALWAYS carry a spare conventional distributor with me running back and forth to the Bahamas...there is no way I depend on any of the exotics out of site of land.

I also run DUI's unless you are supercharging or running crazy RPM's, I honestly don't get the need for fancy boxes and such. A stand alone distributor is all you need. I think they are pretty trick little pieces. The post above is the first problem I've heard with them, that is an unfortunate case I'd guess and a real bummer! I originally put an MSD on it that promptly died, though I've always had good luck with MSD's on my performance cars.

stock merc with a mallory hp 80000 volt coils.

My friend runs them he has goo luck, but I am pretty sure they have been sold to someone , the unsecured shaft was un excusable they gave me a new shaft but when I took the motor apart at seasons end 3 pistons had melted edges from detonation, the other motor with another DUI was fine.

I have run with Daytona Sensor programable box and coil with merc distributor. What i have like is they have already some merc ing map like the 525sc, 600sc and 800sc also few other map.

Anybody tried the new Mallory Firestorm yet? My MSD 6M went and replaced it with another 6M, I'm just a little nervous about it's reliability. I was using the MSD start retard box with the 6M, the motor didn't run for crap sent them both back to MSD and they said they were both fine. Makes me question MSD even more.

I agree that's pretty bad, hopfully it was an isolated incident, which of course, doesn't make you feel any better about it. A bummer, no doubt about it.

Got sick of burnt up MSD marine boxes, so was my buddy. We both made the switch to the Crane CD digital boxes. Summit sells them for 249.99, but amazon has them for 175.00 shipped. So far so good. Both of us running 800HP blower engines in our boats. Wiring it in when switching from the MSD box is pretty easy. We are running them with MSD billet distributors, and locked timing.

Take a look at the internals on the MSD, and the Crane. These are the boxes we are running.

http://www.amazon.com/Crane-Cams-600...ords=6000-6440

So how are the MSD distributors working out

Good. Mine are older, two seasons ago sent them back to msd for rebuilds. They are notorious for Rusting inside. Got them back, like brand new, and coated the internals with CRC corrosion inhibitor . Still lookin good under the cap. No more corrosion.

The Daytona Sensor Marine, box is the way to go! The marine unit comes with a coil and you can either use a dial in curve or get the usb cable and program your own.

No doubt. Really really wanted to get a pair I them, but my motor build was going over budget. But some very cool stuff there. I think those guys designed the crane boxes years ago didn't they Mark??

so you can run the Daytona box with the MSD dist. where can you get the Daytona box, direct or other

I recently installed MSD 6-AL with programable timing. Little tricky to figure out at first but it allows you to program the advance curve and retards in at anywhere, you can start your engine with 15 degrees and let it idle @ 9 degrees etc... This is best suited for SC engine where retard is important or a heavy boat or running a lower octane occasionally

Anybody need a set of the Crane Hi6 marine ignitions?

I had the same problem, bought a low hours boat that had been sitting. I took the stator off, wire wheeled it and soaked it in naval jelly to get the rust off then soaked it in gun blue with a coat of corrosion inhibitor. It's been 3 seasons and no more rust.

Allen & Chris, Chris , is the engineer that designs them, the new boxes are fully digital even better than Cranes of the past.

Thats guys for all the responses and keep them coming! I too have the MSD distrib. and have had the rust issues, BUT don't know if I should ditch it for a totally new set-up or not. Thats part of my inquiry. All I know is MSD. Been using it for YRS. during my drag racing days (then I got a boat! LOL) Thank for the Amazon info Mild Thunder! And I guess I need to take a look at this Daytona Box, I too waant to no if it can be used w/ MSD Distrib?

Send the Dist back to MSD. For what they charge, you cant rebuild it yourself with the parts. Sent my rusty old distributors in, with no caps and rotors. Got them back, with all new parts, looking brand new, and with brand new cap and rotor. I want to say it was about 100 or 125 bucks. The new gear, reluctor wheel, pickup, cap and rotor will pretty much cost that much.

Heres what I used to coat the internals of the distributor when I got them back. This stuff is great.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CRC...143?Pid=search
The Crane box, or Daytona box can be used with a MSD or just about any other magnetic trigger style distributor.

I used the Crane Boxes on my last boat. For some reason they would work this spring? Either way I'm going to send them back to Daytona Sensors and have them repair them. If you look into it on here you will see a lot of people had problems with the MSD stuff, which is the reason why I went to the Crane in the first place.

I still don't get the need for boxes...

On most stock engines, they really arent needed. However, when you get into big long duration cams, superchargers with big carbs, lots of cylinder pressure, etc, the multispark helps keep plugs firing and not fouling.

Been running them for years on blown big blocks. Lots of no wake zone idling, never fouled a plug.

Plus some of the stuff allows lots of other options. Start retard, built in limiters, programmable curves, boost retard capability, knock sensor input, and so on.

I get it with superchargers for timing and such and completely agree. Lots (ok, maybe some) of standard systems fire twice at low rpm or have a longer spark, you don't need a box for that. Everyone feels the need for boxes and I just don't get it, that's all.

I'd rather foul a plug (which I have never done) than need to worry about a box failing or carrying an extra, or carrying an extra complete distributor!!! All of which I have heard in this thread.

Every one of these threads ends up "My XXX box is a hunk of ****" "No your XXX box is a hunk of **** and mine is better" "I rewired my hunk of **** box with this other hunk of **** box and it failed too"

While I agree they are necessary in a lot of circumstances, about 80% of the people who use them, don't actually need them.

That is all ;)

I've been running MSD 7M boxes, coils and dist's for 5 seasons now without issues with the boxes. Only issue was with dist vent screens corroding up since they made them in brass or copper and moisture would build up in caps causing scattered spark. Replaced the screens with stainless and no issues since.

Same here MSD-7 No issue 3 years

My current set up is MSD Disttributor, 6A box, Boost timing Master and external rev limiter. My parts are at least 10 years old, but I still carry a spare MSD 6AL box. This summer when checking the boost timing master I found out that is was not retarding the timing. Replaced it with a new piece and have not had any other problems. My engine runs on the pig rich side and when I pulled the plugs they have a light grey color so the ignition parts are doing their job. From my experience with high performance automotive, the MSD parts do have a reputation of failing

Wow i have been running the Summit HEI setup been great for me!

Today the other DUI crapped out, limped home on one motor again! Distributor shaft moves up and down 1/4 inch, wipes out rotor.

Good lord man, now I have another thing to check in the off season, I posted in your other thread you started about this too...that SUCKS :(