Any experience with MSD 6 AL-2 Progammable box?

55C150

55C150

Well-Known Member
Did someone use this MSD box? What engine and distributor you have?
Did you use a MAP Sensor instead of vacuum advance? If so, where you programmed the curve in the software?

I have a Ready to Run MSD Distributor with Blaster 2 Coil only in my 355 SBC.
Is the advantage so great enough to update my ignition with this pricy Solution?
 
MSD6 boxes have a Bad rap.
Cross your fingers and pray you got a good one Made In China.

All I have to say there.
 
They require maintence.
Every 10,000 miles a checkup.
Tuneup.
Light cleaning.
Set points if required.

I know a Vertex mag will always work after I get done rebuilding or tuning up one myself.
 
https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/ignition_boxes/street_and_strip/parts/6530
This is the one. I think the MSD 7 and up boxes are overkill for 90% street use. Same with Magnetos. But I'm no expert on this.
I had some ignition tuning issues this season thats the reason why I thought about a programmable box.
The weights and spring system is good. But I have a timing problem at hard acceleration in an tiny rpm range where I got pinging for a few hundred rpms.
If I drive and accelerate normal everything is fine. I tried different springs, timings with stops and used an adjustable vac adv.

I read the Power Grid systems is the new MSD7 system or the upgraded MSD7 version.
 
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55C150 said:
https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/ignition_boxes/street_and_strip/parts/6530
This is the one. I think the MSD 7 and up boxes are overkill for 90% street use. Same with Magnetos. But I'm no expert on this.
I had some ignition tuning issues this season thats the reason why I thought about a programmable box.
The weights and spring system is good. But I have a timing problem at hard acceleration in an tiny rpm range where I got pinging for a few hundred rpms.
If I drive and accelerate normal everything is fine. I tried different springs, timings with stops and used an adjustable vac adv.

I read the Power Grid systems is the new MSD7 system or the upgraded MSD7 version.
Click to expand...
Your probably Short on Fuel Octane Numbers.
Takes just 1-2 gas pump numbers lower to cause problems as you describe.
When an engine is pulling a load hard in 3rd & 4th gear short on octane will cause audible Detonation or Pinging-Pinking as old timers used to call it.

The 1st Gasoline cars in the USA & Europe all used Magnetos original.
Late 1800's into 1900's.
Have a Vertex Mag in my 1963 GP.
Use on A Vertex Mag in my 70 TA.
Not for everyone Mags.
The spark duration is so long & so powerfull I never have to mess with the advance mechanism in them.

Looked at your Link.
Holley owns MSD Now.
Read MSD Went Bankrupt back in 2013.
 
55C150 said:
https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/ignition_boxes/street_and_strip/parts/6530
This is the one. I think the MSD 7 and up boxes are overkill for 90% street use. Same with Magnetos. But I'm no expert on this.
I had some ignition tuning issues this season thats the reason why I thought about a programmable box.
The weights and spring system is good. But I have a timing problem at hard acceleration in an tiny rpm range where I got pinging for a few hundred rpms.
If I drive and accelerate normal everything is fine. I tried different springs, timings with stops and used an adjustable vac adv.

I read the Power Grid systems is the new MSD7 system or the upgraded MSD7 version.
Click to expand...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-6530/reviews/?page=2

Feedback on the MSD 6530 appears decent overall.
It has a weak link in that it does not like Voltage Spikes at all.
2 guys report failures because of that.
It can happen with a bad alternator . Voltage regulator failed.
Bad rectifier Bridge.

Way Back in 1987-1990 I was in College for Electronics.
The #1 Cost of all Electronics was High Grade Power Supplies.
Usually costed 50-80% of the electronic device product being built.
I think that is where MSD Cheeped out the last 10 years.
You can built cheep power supplies & electronic filters to last just a few months or 1 year.
Long enough to sell to the consumer and work for a short time.

All except The Analog MSD 7 & 8 series.
Made for High End Road Racing & High End Drag Racing.
Costs are much higher.
In Vertex magneto New Price territory.
 
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I will try higher octane tomorrow and see what happens.
Now I'm interessted in the Mags. It make sense what you wrote. I thought they didn't work great at slower rpms. On the street the rpm is from 900 to around 3000 rpm. Many times around 2000 rpm.
The height of the magneto could be a problem in my engine compartment. The wiper motor is on top of the distributor.

We have the same problem with power supplies here at work. We have many for our Film equipment. Our Light are most HMI with ballasts or our latest LED lights must have good quality power supllies otherwise they not working correct.
 
55C150 said:
I will try higher octane tomorrow and see what happens.
Now I'm interessted in the Mags. It make sense what you wrote. I thought they didn't work great at slower rpms. On the street the rpm is from 900 to around 3000 rpm. Many times around 2000 rpm.
The height of the magneto could be a problem in my engine compartment. The wiper motor is on top of the distributor.

We have the same problem with power supplies here at work. We have many for our Film equipment. Our Light are most HMI with ballasts or our latest LED lights must have good quality power supllies otherwise they not working correct.
Click to expand...
They have a few quirks.
You really have to know what your doing to rebuild a Vertex Mag.
Setting the points gap is tricky touchy.
So far I have been able to fire my 1963 Pontiac Gp with its Olds 425 V8 with the Olds V8 Vertex Magneto down to -10F outside.
Using a Delco 10MT High torque starter I rebuilt myself.
Using an Optima Red Top Battery.
Starter has to spin 160 RPM or faster to get an engine to fire reliable cold start with a Vertex Mag.
Any cranking issues & she does not want to pop light off easy.

Where conventional ignition or CD ignition does better.
Still possible to crank over start....RRRR>>GRRR> turning 1-10 crank rpm.
 
I rebuild Vertex Mags.
If your interested let me know.

Not pushing hard here.
They are not for everyone.
But I Love them.
 
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