crane box?
 

Im looking into getting a crane ignition box I know you can use a hall effect dist but can you use the stock dist from a 99 mpi motor?

I don't know about the 99 distributor but I just installed 2 of the Crane Hi-6 marine boxes on my 454 mags and they perform awesome. Digital rev limiter (no banging or popping), 6 different advance curves, retard capabilites for supercharged configurations etc. Works great with the stock Thunderbolt IV hall effect distributor. Easy install and a great piece. If you have any questions call the Crane tech line. Very helpful and great todeal with.

:( :( :( :( :( :(

go with MSD

distributer or box?

I liked cranes box due to the rev limiter and the ignition curves

Msd digital box is neat also I like their dist aswell but if you need to the merc. will work use some good taylor pro wires and you'll be in the ball game :)

CRANE is maybe O.K. its just not proven yet like the MSD stuff thats been around since the 70's (except the digital boxes)

the msd stuff has been breaking since the 70's. stick with the Crane, you wont be disappointed.

I have 50 hours on the Crane Hi-6M boxes in my boat and they have worked fine thus far. I am using them in conjuntion with their PS-92 coils. Other ignition components I am using include, MSD Billet distributors and the MSD crank trigger system. The Crane box allows you to dial in the desired RPM limit and the kind of timing you desire. That digital stuff that MSD offers sounds kind of interesting though.

To be quite honest with you, I originally bought the Crane boxes a couple of years ago as my engines were being built because I was advised to----otherwise I would probably have purchased the MSD boxes. I was told the Crane box has a much hotter spark than the MSD boxes do---but I don't honestly know how much truth there really is to that. Something like Cranes miljoules (Spelling?) being much more than the MSD's ???. -----Again, I just don't know if there is any truth to that. However, they have worked fine for me thus far, but I am not sure if the Crane's have given me any more NOTICABLE performance gains over one of the MSD boxes. I was told this by a guy who was going to be setting up the electronic fuel injection system on my engines, but I decided to go with a carb set-up instead and decided to buy the Crane boxes anyway. Still, another guy who dyno'd my engines really likes the Crane boxes as well---he buys them for his cars, his boats and even his snowmobiles!---He really likes the way they work! Best wishes :)

It looks like most of your post just say the opposite of the prior one ??What do you base your blanket statement above from your years of reaserch from the 70's that MSD has or the few years CRANE and Holley have been coping MSD??
Crane has not been out long enough for Crane to know their own problems were like the guy before you said MSD has been out and used by IHRA,NHRA<and nascar and alot of other racing groups since they invented the system inthe 70's
They have had a long time for trial and error repairs ,my builder Sterling won't use any thing else why do these people use the stuff its GREAT !
The guy aboe B.D> even said Crane was o.k. ,they all break MSD just sells more and is alot better for most people

I agree Crane and Holley are most likly O.K. just not for the masses yet if you like it great

Easy
 

Sounds like a big pissing match...whew. The reason I went with Crane is there is absolutely nothing wrong with Mercury's hall effect trigger setup (Dodge has been using it for years) so there was no need for me to buy billet distributor etc. I like the fact that Crane has many functions in the one unit and many of MSD's options have to be added (piggy-backed) on as another unit. Far be it from me to say MSD is junk - they're not. Very good equipment. However, if someone like Crane, Jacobs or Holley never challenges the establishment...

tHATS FINE EVERYONE NEEDS COMPITION ,FOR SURE ,,,i JUST HATE BEING THE GUNIEY PIG !!! msd WORKS FINE WITH MERC DIST. HALL EFFECT IS GREAT ALSO as I said the digital msd has the same features with in reason as cranes ,,as long as your happy thats great

This is just like ford and chevy owners each think they have the best just hope Crane doesn't prove to be an EDsoil
thx:D

I've got about 200 hours on my Crane Box. Running it with a MSD billit distributor and a Crane PS-92 coil. In the same time frame, I know of AT LEAST 4 MSD boxes that have puked. 3 of them on OSO boats.

I know of more MSD boxes that puked than I know Crane boxes.
But then again , Bobby Daniels and I have already had this conversation:rolleyes:
I want to add rev limiters to mine as soon as the weather clears (if ever) and I can dial in my props. I'm NOT using MSD:(

yes mopower you said it right there aren't many crane boxes out there wonder why ,, and I guess you know as well the ratio of boxes on the maket for the companies so we can get the defect ratio right as there are so many more MSD's than Crane in use
I have customers with both units that fail as parts do ,but like you said there less cranes so I know of more MSD's ..
I've had a 6A msd on a 81 pick-up since 82 so they last aswell

IF YOUR HAPPY WITH IT USE IT PLEASE ,,,,I'm just trying to help people use what the majority use for some reason ,but just because I voice my opinion,I SAY again use what you like its no skin off my nose :D :D

theres noth else to be said on this your right about that to mopower,have a good night

The score at 10:15pm

MSD 2

Crane 5
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?;)

Anything but MSD unless you're running 7,000 rpm. Two bad boxes in three years and the rust bucket distributors belong at the bottom of the lake.

11:30pm score

MSD 2

Crane 6

Dude-[CESSNA] why do you even care what B.D. says? Who is B.D.? Bruce Dudley? or Bobby Daniels? I assume Bobby Daniels since you ALWAYS AGREE with him. Where do you boat? You list several awsome boats in your past posts- Someone must know you? Do you fly a Cessna? Ilove to fly. Please dont stay a stranger. We really are a "Comfy Cozy" group.

Crane sucks PERIOD... you guys kill me... why don't you run Crane distributors too huh? BECAUSE CRANE MAKES FUNKY CAMS, NOT IGN SYSTEMS! Why do you all have MSD distributors if they are so bad, why dontcha run dual point distributors? Why does Nascar, NHRA, TEAQUE, STERLING or anyone else who builds upper end, high dollar race tolerant anything (boats, cars, trucks, cycles etc.) use MSD exclusively? Tell ya what, first time I see a boat needing a tow because a Crane box took a dump I will throw you a paddle. I'd be willing to bet those who have had problems with MSD boxes are using solid core wires, and can't even spell electricity... let alone understand that doing the things they tell you not to in the "instructions" is what kills them... ANY product is as good as the installer, and if you ignore the simple things cause you "know better" and something else is cheaper, it's only a matter of time. And how many hours of use do MSD products log monthly VS Crane? rotflmao I love it... crane 6 msd 2 my ass....

<ANY product is as good as the installer>

Findme,
If that quote stands for MSD it should stand for Crane as well, right?:D :D

BTW, I'll give anyone that's having trouble a tow - not just the ones that agree with me on engine configs.;)

I agree with FINDME above post ,,,,,, and MOPOWER why don't you do a pole and see which box is used more ,you know the answer !!!
You've got a crane great and misery likes company // no you can as I ;ve said time after time can run what you like but I'm staying with sterling,teaque,ihra,nhra,iroc,irl,nascar,nastruck ,ect add them up total please ??

502 the dude as you put it{ cessna} I don't know and at least he has a profile for everyone to see he's not just on here hiding to start arguing with people !! 99% of the time he reference's others if you have ever seen his post not me ,do you have a boat ??I can see from your post on other threads you for sure no nothing of motors ,,,,,but have a good day we are all trying to learn not argue

Not trying to argue with anyone, just seems you know Cessna REAL well.

nope no more than I know findme or anyone else who just happens to agree with me or disagree. btw he's on alot of post I'm not and i do know alot of people on this board ,so what I thought that was the fun of it ,where do you boat ,what type do you have ect.??? have a good day 502 :)

Hehe, you guys are so much fun to argue with. Tell ya what, lets see if we can find anybody who has lost a Crane box or lost an engine due to a crane box going haywire? I know of many MSD's. Yea, there are a lot more MSDs out there. They have been the only game in town for a long time. That doesnt mean they are any better. You of all people should know how many people buy stuff just because its in Summit or lists itself as "high performance" The reality is, there are a pile of engines running MSD or other aftermarket ignitions that dont need them. Ive also seen plenty of top end engines that had 2 boxes mounted and had the ability to switch from one to the other when it puked. Heck all we need now is Cat to get in on the argument. LOL. MSD does have a lot of neat add-ons for the drag racers and nitrous guys.

Yup, Bobby Daniels is Censsna.

yep there is anotherone with no profile trying to stir things up on his first post ,curious ,I think seabass is 502
yep he doen't need a helm ??::D :D

Nope. I have been following the boards for some time, but never have posted. In the past I had come to the same conclusion about bd and cessna, thus my post. I don't really care one way or the other.

Over 7000rpms MSD is undisputed king. But I'm with you F31, alot of engines DON'T NEED THEM.
You can't pick up a car or boat magazine without seeing a full page ad for MSD. People are brainwashed into thinking they're great. Which they are...until...
Why do you think , when it's important , they have a spare already in place:rolleyes: ready to go at the flip of a switch. Perhaps because these same people are smart enough to realize MSDs shortcomings.
Just like Gaffrig guages...over advertised hype! Fountain uses them so they must be good , right? Look at all their ads. There's better and cheaper stuff out there.

I also heard BD owns a sizable chunk of MSD stock:eek: :D :D :D


Just kidding Bobby;)

A spare MSD box is like an American Express Card...Don't leave home without it.:D :D

Ok , now leave me buckle up my flack jacket:rolleyes:

Na mo-power sorry I just get wound up when I feel something is a good pruduct . I know alot about the crane and msd product and in the last 18 months Crane has come along way and it is a good box as I've said ,but if something works and has for me for
years don't change it .
But crane has come along way in tech .,,everybody has good and bad points and if its man made it will break ,period
your right alot of motors can use standard ign just fine ,I'm used to high rpm and boosted motors and they need help

MSD is just a good well used and known part !

Have a good one mopower next they will say I'm you since I agreed with you ,,,,lmao
:D :D:)

OK Bob;)

Well, I will admit that I have THREE (3) Crane boxes in my engine bay. One is a spare just in case one breaks when I'm either out in the middle of the lake or whatever, it's ALWAYS nice to have a spare if you can afford it. It's a great troubleshooter and provides quick process of elimination when trying to trouble shoot problems if needed. I would have a spare no matter WHAT BRAND it is! It's a big headache/time saver :)

Crane or MSD Piggyback on Thunderbolt IV Ignition
 

OK everyone. How about piggybacking a CD ignition with the inductive output of a Thunderbolt IV ignition. Has anyone heard of this lately? I have seen MSD advertise a box that is supposed to work with a new car system that is 4 channel. Any intelligent input is welcome.

see what Ive started :)

the main reasons I m thinking about crane is revlimiter built in advance curve (no need to use thunderbolt box) and its all in the same box for a good price . if I m right the msd you have to buy additional boxes to do the same thing.
I have nothing against msd and know of a bunch being ran with no problems and if I was a engine builder Id probaly recomend them to got to stick to what you know works, Id hate to use a customer as a test

MSD can be triggered off of the pickup itself without the module on Thunderbolt V ign systems... "just like MSD" Ohhhh, that's Cranes advertisement...lol

The 6M-2 can be triggered by either a magnetic pickup (distributor or crank trigger), amplifier or by a breaker point distributor
. The cable harness has the proper connector so you can plug the 6M-2 into one of the Pro-Billet MSD Marine Distributors.
MSD TECH LINES are open Monday thru Friday from 8am to 5pm Mountain Standard Time.

Ya... you can tell by the extended support times, Crane has their she-it together... several hours a week more than MSD. Hmmmmmmmmm?
The hours for our Crane Cams tech support lines are 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 5 PM Friday, Eastern Time Zone.
NEW! Cross Reference to MSD™ Ignitions! Ya, we "just like MSD... NOT!
So the Crane box has an adjustable rev limiter in increments of 100 rpm? You are telling me that 100 RPM one way or the other can blow up your motor? BULL PUCKIE... Anyone with the slightest of common sense knows that the "gernade mode" is not started or stopped by 100 RPM... so wasted crap to fail you don't need... good plan Crane.. NEW! Easy Checking for System Problems! No guessing! Built-in flashing codes tell what the problem is. Checks coil, ground, power supply, loose or broken wires and the ignition unit itself! (or more commonly known as idiot proof Well now... seems we have a problem Houston...lol Why doesn't MSD need usless features like that? Because most who use MSD can read, and understand important instructions to avoid damage... but hey... why not buy a Crane so we can watch the lights blink while we are brokedick in the water, and STILL go noplace? rotflmao... BD, face it.... theirs an ass for every seat right? I haven't had a MSD related failure for anything in 25 years... but I can read and comprehend important footnotes (the difference between men & boyeeeez).....

765,420 MSD boxes in use daily with no failures, 1037 Crane boxes that blink at you when they take a dump (but if it ain't 8pm yet, you can call them to confirm your SCREWED!) ROTFL... Like comparing apples and pistons... but you who are "marketing motivated" go for it and get a Crane ign... Ohhhh wait, does MSD make Funky cams like Crane, or do they, and have they always had the baddest ignition systems in the "real" racing loop, and ONLY ignition systems? Why don't you guys go buy a toilet made by a pressure washer company? (the kind the girlies like).... NUFF SAID Apples in one hand, pistons in the other..... yur killin me.... until MSD starts making funky cams like Crane... there's no arguement...PERIOD

screw it Im not going over 5000 rpms anyhow , I dont have a big cam or carb to make it load up so Ill just throw a rev limiter on it and be done with it, I only asked a question and didnt need a bunch of stupid answers

findme, he talking about you???? :confused:

Jeez Waterfoul... I dunno, but if I was to lay money on it, I'd have to guess you are using a Mallory Ign system (lol) or better yet, something "Just like a MSD box" with a MSD distributor? Or maybe you have an MSD hydraulic roller solid falt tappet camshaft with Elgin lifters and think it's the good she-it cause you read in a magazine that its better than butter on your toast, and don't know the difference? Mismatching components, is like kissing your sister.... it's nice, but it don't mean anything... and also what keeps me in business. If Crane (just like MSD boxes) were So badd ass then Nascar, NHRA and the other racing series including the top boat engine builders would be using them, instead of a few black sheep who feel the need to be different. The percentage of MSD products that fail when properly installed <<< (key words) is miniscule & also another FACT, but Im not here to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person... and if your Mallory blows up your skirt thats cool too. And anyone who believes you have to have a big cam, carb, or anything else that doesn't match the rest of your components (aka overkill) is sadly misinformed as to the benefits of multiple spark discharge. It will make a positive difference on ANYTHING if used for its intended purpose and not used for a band-aid. And I also enjoy seeing others perspectives on topics like this... even the pot shots thrown out by those who know little or nothing about the engineering or technical side of them thar things everyone else has... rotfl And I must have missed the stupid answers, and all I have posted on this topic are Facts... but I DID happen to notice one stupid reply.... would you know anything about that?

And if they REALLY bad aZZ , NASCAR would be running a SINGLE box and not have an onboard spare:rolleyes: Now you know NASCAR's smart:D

CRMAX , You go for it bro.

Well I tell you what "mopower... show me ONE SINGLE NASCAR TEAM that uses a Crane multiple spark discharge ignition system on their car, or where Crane ign is approved by Nascar in the rule book, and I will give you one hour at the intersection of your choice to draw a croud.... and I will gladly kiss your ass... Uhhhh huh... that's what I thought. And if you are nieve enough to think that whatever Nascar uses for ignition under the rules set forth by Nascar, and the single and ONLY electronic device of any kind allowed on a Nascar related to engine management will not carry a backup incase of a failure (most likely caused by something other than the box), when those guys are racing for 1 million dollars a race in many occasions, or for the 3 million dollar purse for winning the championship at the end of the year... and compare it to some guy who has too much money and no brains running around on the water, who pays others to give him bad advise and information for $120 an hour, and in no way shape or form associated with the reliable daily performance, or consistency required to be a winning Nascar team... then you got me on the battle of wits rule... So what if you can't provide proof of Crane ign's approval in the Nascar rulebook? Hmmmmmmmmm? Well, I know what.... before you step in it again, how about agreeing that what's good for some isn't for others, for whatever reason?
Cause their ain't a chance you can document what doesn't exist.... so instead of kissing your butt, how do you like your crow? lol I don't care one way or the other... you can't compare a 21 year olds boobs to a 87 year olds boobs can ya? Unless of course your name is really Mike Helton??? It's all good and discussions like these help guys make up their minds so they feel good about what they have chozen to run, no matter what it is, or who agrees or not right? Just don't try and go off on a "Nascar has 2 MSD ign boxes in the cars cause they have a high failure rate" OK? Go to http://jayski.thatsracin.com/ and go to the past race results and tell me how many cars have failed to complete a race in the past 3 years because of an MSD box failure will ya? heh heh heh... don't forget to count the weekly testing, qualifing and practice laps.. (like that is going to help you) you may find 3 if you are good.... Pigs is pigs, and hoggz is hoggz, if you want to debate the quality of 2 products under the stress of competition... at least pick 2 that are approved for use in a professional series like NASCAR that pays BIG money for consistentcy... not a bunch confused guys with boats who whould rather use junk than admit there's no comparison. And for sure, have a nice weekend... I lived on the water all my life, and been boating for 7/8th's of it... nothing can or will get me off the water, but I won't use things that are not proven under the conditions that I run my **** under, cause Im a fulltime maniac when Im on the water and don't like being towed in for anything.... that ain't what it's all about my friend... ~ peace ~

What a maroon. LOL