Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems?

Tod Lane · 11-24-2008, 05:21 PM

Dragging myself out of a long self impossed exile I see many things have changed over the last twenty years or so.I got a lot of good information about the 8.5 ten bolt here so I thought why not ask another question.
For a 9 to 1 compression 7500 RPM motor I remeber the old MSD^ as the standard with a few choosing to up grade to the 7AL2, which I still have in an old bracket car sitting in the garage.
But now, in the new century, are there better alternatives? I see seeral manufactures offering digital systems where the old MSD's were/are analog. What is the advantages of each?
I see the MSD 6 is available in digital now as well for about 100.00 more than an analog version, is it worthwhile in such a low compression low RPM application?

Jim Bailey · 11-24-2008, 11:23 PM

Tod: contact Dave Layhe at Electromotion in Columbus, Ohio. He'll educate you and fix you right up.

Lou SG2340 · 11-25-2008, 12:19 PM

I have run the 7AL2 for 10 yrs. If its not broke, don't fix it

Dave Goob Cook · 11-25-2008, 12:35 PM

Unless you need the traction control capabilities or the other ways to use the retard ramp / boost retard functions, there is no performance advantage to "upgrading".

John Lang · 11-25-2008, 02:40 PM

Tod ! If Jim Bailey tells you this consider this carved in concrete. Just look at his car! Besides its the cleanest MOPAR around and fast too ! I'm not sucking up as i'm to old to do that ! John Lang

Jim Bailey · 11-25-2008, 03:06 PM

Thanks John.

Tod: Here's the deal. How many times has a racer had their stuff tested at MSD? Is there anything ever wrong with it? ( It's almost always perfect ) We've all been through it. I DNQ this year at INDY with a brand new Digital 7 with "nothing wrong" with it at the MSD trailer.
Dave Leahy @ Electrimotion in Columbus Ohio does "Every" ignition system on "Every" fuel car in competition. You can't run a fuel car today without one of Dave's systems. Additionally, He can "really" test the function of the units, and, provide you with a computer print out of what it's really doing. My Brand New Digital 7 wasn't even close. Dave tested it, reprogrammed it, and set it up for my car. I went to my next race and went 1.08 under, my best run ever. He also works on Chuck Beech's stuff. Need I say more.
He's a busy guy, but, he's very helpful, and he stocks most MSD stuff. Call him at 740-972-9074.

Robert Swartz · 11-25-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bailey

Thanks John.

Tod: Here's the deal. How many times has a racer had their stuff tested at MSD? Is there anything ever wrong with it? ( It's almost always perfect ) We've all been through it. I DNQ this year at INDY with a brand new Digital 7 with "nothing wrong" with it at the MSD trailer.
Dave Leahy @ Electrimotion in Columbus Ohio does "Every" ignition system on "Every" fuel car in competition. You can't run a fuel car today without one of Dave's systems. Additionally, He can "really" test the function of the units, and, provide you with a computer print out of what it's really doing. My Brand New Digital 7 wasn't even close. Dave tested it, reprogrammed it, and set it up for my car. I went to my next race and went 1.08 under, my best run ever. He also works on Chuck Beech's stuff. Need I say more.
He's a busy guy, but, he's very helpful, and he stocks most MSD stuff. Call him at 740-972-9074.

So, in a nutshell, when I get ready to have the MSD 7AL-2 in our old car rebuilt and upgraded. Better to call Dave Leahy and spend the money with him vs. sending it back to MSD.

I think what Tod is seeking, WHEN we get around to building our crate motor stocker, is there any real difference in using an MSD 6AL vs a 7AL series? Roaming the pits, I've seen both in pretty equal cars.

Robert Swartz

art leong · 11-25-2008, 05:21 PM

When you talk to msd on the phone they swear that it can't be their product, it must be caused by something else. After spending nearly $2000 and countless hours chasing every other thing possible the msd dis2 box finally quit for good. sent it back they said it couldn't be fixed. Bought a new one put it in car ran fine for 4 or 5 dyno pulls, then started to act up again. Called their tech line again. They swore it couldn't be their unit.(sound familiar?). Sent it back to them and there was a problem with it.
After that I **** canned the whole ignition system. Put one on that didn't need the msd. Car idles a thousand times better. Drives around the pits like a golf cart.
Paid $500 for the msd plus $100 to fix it,sold it on Ebay for $225. I figure I'm actually ahead a couple of thousand dollars.

junior barns · 11-25-2008, 05:39 PM

So Jim

Are you saying a person should consider sending a new msd ign to Mr. Layhe before install?

Jim Bailey · 11-25-2008, 06:02 PM

Dave and his staff at Electrimotion are the best. They will provide you with -NON- Bias information. Dave sells hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in MSD products to the Pro Fuel Teams. He can't afford to sell Faulty Products. ( keep in mind that many fuel teams return "every" mag., and coil to Dave after "every" race.) I personnally would buy everything (tested) from Dave from the get go. He is a wealth of knowlege on all racing applications. And has the means to back it up. .....I'm giving up secrets here! ....JB.

11-24-2008, 05:21 PM	#1
Tod Lane Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 152 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? Dragging myself out of a long self impossed exile I see many things have changed over the last twenty years or so.I got a lot of good information about the 8.5 ten bolt here so I thought why not ask another question. For a 9 to 1 compression 7500 RPM motor I remeber the old MSD^ as the standard with a few choosing to up grade to the 7AL2, which I still have in an old bracket car sitting in the garage. But now, in the new century, are there better alternatives? I see seeral manufactures offering digital systems where the old MSD's were/are analog. What is the advantages of each? I see the MSD 6 is available in digital now as well for about 100.00 more than an analog version, is it worthwhile in such a low compression low RPM application?

11-24-2008, 11:23 PM	#2
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 673 Likes: 15 Liked 547 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? Tod: contact Dave Layhe at Electromotion in Columbus, Ohio. He'll educate you and fix you right up.

11-25-2008, 12:19 PM	#3
Lou SG2340 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Disputanta Va (30 minutes from VMP) Posts: 122 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? I have run the 7AL2 for 10 yrs. If its not broke, don't fix it

11-25-2008, 12:35 PM	#4
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? Unless you need the traction control capabilities or the other ways to use the retard ramp / boost retard functions, there is no performance advantage to "upgrading". __________________ "Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular." Dave Cook NHRA N375

11-25-2008, 02:40 PM	#5
John Lang Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sheboygan Wi Posts: 391 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? Tod ! If Jim Bailey tells you this consider this carved in concrete. Just look at his car! Besides its the cleanest MOPAR around and fast too ! I'm not sucking up as i'm to old to do that ! John Lang __________________ John Lang 365 STK, SS

11-25-2008, 03:06 PM	#6
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 673 Likes: 15 Liked 547 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? Thanks John. Tod: Here's the deal. How many times has a racer had their stuff tested at MSD? Is there anything ever wrong with it? ( It's almost always perfect ) We've all been through it. I DNQ this year at INDY with a brand new Digital 7 with "nothing wrong" with it at the MSD trailer. Dave Leahy @ Electrimotion in Columbus Ohio does "Every" ignition system on "Every" fuel car in competition. You can't run a fuel car today without one of Dave's systems. Additionally, He can "really" test the function of the units, and, provide you with a computer print out of what it's really doing. My Brand New Digital 7 wasn't even close. Dave tested it, reprogrammed it, and set it up for my car. I went to my next race and went 1.08 under, my best run ever. He also works on Chuck Beech's stuff. Need I say more. He's a busy guy, but, he's very helpful, and he stocks most MSD stuff. Call him at 740-972-9074.

11-25-2008, 05:21 PM	#8
art leong VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Richmond Hill, Georgia Posts: 2,003 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? When you talk to msd on the phone they swear that it can't be their product, it must be caused by something else. After spending nearly $2000 and countless hours chasing every other thing possible the msd dis2 box finally quit for good. sent it back they said it couldn't be fixed. Bought a new one put it in car ran fine for 4 or 5 dyno pulls, then started to act up again. Called their tech line again. They swore it couldn't be their unit.(sound familiar?). Sent it back to them and there was a problem with it. After that I **** canned the whole ignition system. Put one on that didn't need the msd. Car idles a thousand times better. Drives around the pits like a golf cart. Paid $500 for the msd plus $100 to fix it,sold it on Ebay for $225. I figure I'm actually ahead a couple of thousand dollars. __________________ Art Leong 2095 SS

11-25-2008, 05:39 PM	#9
junior barns Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 541 Likes: 11 Liked 20 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? So Jim Are you saying a person should consider sending a new msd ign to Mr. Layhe before install?

11-25-2008, 06:02 PM	#10
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 673 Likes: 15 Liked 547 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Which ignition? MSD or newer digital systems? Dave and his staff at Electrimotion are the best. They will provide you with -NON- Bias information. Dave sells hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in MSD products to the Pro Fuel Teams. He can't afford to sell Faulty Products. ( keep in mind that many fuel teams return "every" mag., and coil to Dave after "every" race.) I personnally would buy everything (tested) from Dave from the get go. He is a wealth of knowlege on all racing applications. And has the means to back it up. .....I'm giving up secrets here! ....JB.