Ignition ?

[jkh04200]

I have the Thunderbolt ignition in my boat. 84 Chris Craft 19' w/a 305. I've heard of the msd marine ready to drop in system. At jegs it was close to 700.00. Is it worth it and what could I expect?

[Badburn]

The MSD is a good system, however, a lot of people carry a spare with them:confused: What does that tell you?? I think the thunderbolt is decent, except for the built in rev limiter, whick I dont think you can adjust. I had good luck with the thunderbolt on a 600 or so HP- BBC.
I'd leave the stock ignition if you can live with the rev limiter, and the factory advance curve. I believe it is more reliable.

[cstraub]

Keep your Thunderbolt unless it is a blower engine. For $700 you can do other mods to gain more power.

[cfm]

T-Bolt IV system is very capable, especially on stock too mild engines. Has powered many 500-550hp 502's with no issues.
T-Bolt V system has the rev limiters, knock sensor, and mean best timing. This typically works against you with a high performance set up.

[jkh04200]

Sweet. I didn't want to drop the cash on one. Being mine is a 84 I don't believe it has a rev limiter. I have spun it up pretty tight when I was playing with props.

[Ryan00TJ]

Keep your TB IV. For a 305 SBC it's all you need. I'm running a TB IV with mine and it does fine. I do utilize an MSD 6AL box and coil. Distributor and ignition module are all TB IV.

[ghittner]

I'm running a TB4 with an MSD Blaster 3 High vibration coil on a blown 900 HP motor with a v-6 14 degree advance module no issues here. Ran it 2 years prior to that with an 750+ HP blown motor with no issues either. It will run whatever you want and do it well with the proper advance module, there are a few to choose from.

[SmokinLowriderSS]

You must be pricing it with a box.
The R2R distributors do not need a box, but one CAN be used, if you want.
A marine R2R for a Chevy is only about $380, p-lus coil and wires.

[rrrr]

Stick with the Merc ignition and use your scratch on something else.

[jkh04200]

Thanks,
I was told 20-25 hp but the biggest bonus is the reliability. Just bump the key and it fires up. Mine does that now

[ghittner]

Thanks,
I was told 20-25 hp but the biggest bonus is the reliability. Just bump the key and it fires up. Mine does that now
No way 20- to 25 HP in a stock 305. Maybe 5. Maybe 25 or more in a a high horse blown application.... You can probably get a little better throttle response though by changing the advance modules to a smaller advance curve. What module do you have? It will say V8-24 or V8-22 or something like that imprinted on the module on the riser.

[jkh04200]

I believe it would be a 24 based on what I read with my timing lighjt. I am running 10 initial. Its been a long time since I fooled with this stuff. But, from what I remember on the cars I used to have the more intial you ran helped low end. So I would think I could go a little taller on the prop. But to much total kills top end. I believe on my elcamino I was at 20 intial and 36 total, buts its been a while
So, your saying more initial will give me better response?

[cfm]

Thanks,
I was told 20-25 hp .
Yup, so doesn't the guy who invented the Tornado.
MSD is nowhere near reliability of T-Bolt system.
Every application is different but marketing makes it all sound the same even if they aren't outright lying.
If your t-bolt isn't broke on your atock motor, then don't fugg with it. And this is coming from someone that fuggs with everything he can, even when he shouldn't. LOL.

[ghittner]

Yup, so doesn't the guy who invented the Tornado.
MSD is nowhere near reliability of T-Bolt system.
Every application is different but marketing makes it all sound the same even if they aren't outright lying.
If your t-bolt isn't broke on your atock motor, then don't fugg with it. And this is coming from someone that fuggs with everything he can, even when he shouldn't. LOL.
Did anyone actually buy that thing?

[SmokinLowriderSS]

I've seen 2 or so in Ks here. :D

[bocco]

You can also also run an MSD blaster coil with the thunderbolt ignition. I replaced a burned out merc coil with one and it worked great.