msd ignition or stock?

[vtecracer11@hotmail.com]

I have a 455 oldsmobile engine bolted on to a berkeley 12jb pump. i just picked up this boat as a project. well long story short i bought the boat and it needed a distributor so i purchased a complete new stock one. The other day i talked to the guy i bought the boat from and he told me he had a box of parts that went with it, in that box there is a complete msd ignition setup a ready to run distributor pn: 8529, blaster 2 coil, 6al ignition controller and its all brand new. so my question is should i use my stock ignition and sell this setup or is it really worth it to run the msd? the motor is pretty much stock? right now all i want to do is get this boat up and running? what do you think?

[Squirtin Thunder]

I would look at the Crane stuff, Mercury Marine uses it it must be good.

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Since you just bought the stock one, if you can, I'd return it and save the dollar bills. Not that the MSD setup is going to make any real difference in your app, just that you have it, and it should be fine.
Also, if/when the 6al NON-BOAT box dies/gets wet and fries, a R2R dist. can be run without it, and still get you arround the water without a tow rope.
Also, IMO, the ONLY "advantage" purpose of the box, is the rev limiter, which you will never hit unless you cavitate it bad (like getting airborne).
I sure wouldn't spend even MORE $$$$$$ on yet a 3rd ignition system.

[Jetaholic]

Like Smokin' said, I'd run the MSD setup. You get a much hotter spark, and with the R2R distributor, if the box goes bad it's not hard to bypass it and run right off the distributor. Hell, it's a free high performance igntion...use it!

[ck7684]

MSDs kick azz...keep the MSD and return the stock stuff if possible...

[cstraub]

I'd sell the MSD and get the Crane HP module kit to go in the stock distributor.

[BrendellaJet]

If you run the MSD, just make sure th ebox is grounded to the same point your battery is grounded to, and make sure there is no paint/annodize in the way.

[vtecracer11@hotmail.com]

i bought the stock iginition offline so there wouldnt be any returning it.

[lucky]

my personal oppinion ! I have notices more and more msd failing threads - stick with the stock, If it's an Hei app - If it is points - run msd :D

[vtecracer11@hotmail.com]

its an hei distributor? Im thinking about selling the msd setup and putting the money elsewhere. how much do you really gain from the msd?

[IndianaTahiti]

I just put a 6al on mine and have a night and day difference,alot quicker throttle response:devil: Also I lengthened the wiring harness and put it up under the bow out of the elements.The only way its gonna get wet is if the boat sinks!!!

[ck7684]

Keep the frickin' things dry!!

[vtecracer11@hotmail.com]

so with the ready to run msd does that mean you dont have to set up the timing?

[Konabud]

so with the ready to run msd does that mean you dont have to set up the timing?
Just once. I have a RTR dist (no box) and it runs like a swiss watch, no problems here.:D

[BrendellaJet]

MSD's fail when they are wired wrong = Installer Error!
Very few fail for reasons other than that. MSD has a really good return policy(they'll fix it free if its their fault and even sometimes if it was yours). Wire it right and you will be fine. If not, you have to remember, if you make a million of something, there will be a few that just dont work. The odds of getting one of them are pretty slim.

[speedymopars]

MSD's fail because they overheat. If you keep them cool, IE not under the hood next to a header without any airflow, they last a really long time. I kept killing MSD boxes on my van, was just about to give up, and moved it 2 feet into the airflow. 150K miles later (over 10 years) still going strong.
Improved mileage, quicker starting and more power is what I have felt.
I run MSD boxes on everything, I really like the new digital 6's.

[biggraypig]

Make sure it will clear your intake manifold when you drop it in the hole. If you have an aftermarket intake some of the ignitions won't clear due to the higher runners on the intake, then the ignition will hit before it is all the way down where it needs to be.

[BrendellaJet]

Make sure it will clear your intake manifold when you drop it in the hole. If you have an aftermarket intake some of the ignitions won't clear due to the higher runners on the intake, then the ignition will hit before it is all the way down where it needs to be.
easy fix. Spin the collar off in a lathe(or other rudimentary approach) and put a slip color on it.

[vtecracer11@hotmail.com]

i decided to use my new stock one and sell all the msd stuff check out the spam section.

[thatguy]

Just once. I have a RTR dist (no box) and it runs like a swiss watch, no problems here.:D
Ditto that!!