so, im in the process of trying to wire up an msd 6A box on my 98 outlaw with a 525sc. i had some problems last summer with the thunderbolt ignition cutting out and not giving any spark, so i wanted to eliminate it completely and run an msd set up. i see in msd instructions that with an ignition that has an ignition amplifier, like the 525sc, you are basicly piggybacking it to the factory ignition, since it has a locked distributor. has anyone else run into this problem, and if so, what is my next step? i dont want a piggyback system because of the problems i had last summer. will i need to run a msd distributor as well, or is there something im missing? Griff, if you read this, please share some knowledge you have for the 525sc, and let me know what my options are...

If you are keeping the Thunderbolt dist., then you have to run the amplifier/ign. module. If you want to eliminate them, then you have to change the dist.
Eddie

its the factory ignition amp something that goes out normally on the 525sc motors? i dont want to be stranded on the lake because of something i could take care of now, but i dont want to spend cash on something that doesnt need to be bought either.

and wouldnt i kind of be defeating the purpose of running the msd if its still piggybacked to the factory ignition amplifier? really doesnt sound like im accomplishing what i was out to fix...

You are not eliminating anything that could have been causing your problem by adding an MSD box. The 525SC ignition system is exactly the same as all the TB ignitions except it uses a different advance module. It also has an add on rev limiter. I would suspect you have a short somehwere or the pick up in the distributor is getting bad. I would check all the connections for corrosion or a cracked wire.

Griff, im glad you jumped on this one. we checked all the wiring, and to our sight, it looks good. how reliable is the factory thunderbolts, and how plentiful are replacement parts for the system? would i be ok with putting on the msd since i already have it and replacing the factory pickup?

Mercury has greatly improved the distributor pick-up with a potted and sealed unit. If you have not upgraded to the new pick-up I would definately recommend it. It is about $65.00.

Do you have the TB IV or TB V ignition????

The TB ignitions are about as reliable as you can get. All parts except for a few of the modules are are still readily available. The MSD definately won't hurt anything and may help it idle a little cleaner.

Make sure you have good clean contact between the ignition module bracket/plate and what it is mounted to. The module case grounds itself through this. Both the module case and black wire from the module need to be well grounded or you will get a no spark.

Thanks griff! im gonna just go ahead with installing the msd and replace the pickup and ignition amplifier for safe measure. hopefully it will solve the problem.

oh, and ive been told its the TBV ignition.