Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!!!

Chris Hardy · 10-09-2012, 03:18 PM

I will say this again!!! The MSD technicians are "Dumb Asses"!!! They only answer your questions with open ended answers. I get off of the phone knowing less about my MSD ignition than when I started!!! Please tell me that there is a better company to buy ignitions from!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Lew Silverman · 10-09-2012, 03:28 PM

Chris!

Pat Collins

MSD®Ignition Upgrade,Repair,Technical Support: 704-995-4286
techwest@techwestracing.com

http://www.techwestracing.com

You'll be MUCH happier!

Lew

Myron Piatek · 10-09-2012, 03:44 PM

I put a Mallory HyFire 6AL on my car at least 8 years ago and never needed to get it fixed!

Tom Goldman · 10-09-2012, 03:46 PM

X2 Tech West , My 7AL3 works great since he fixed and upgraded it.

TERMITE S/G 2122 · 10-09-2012, 03:52 PM

techwest@techwestracing. worked well for me with A 6AL upgrade and did my spare box.

Chris Hardy · 10-09-2012, 03:56 PM

My issue is not with the quality of their products. They make some pretty good stuff. It is that their technicians are not technical. I have some very specific questions related to some very specific articles and bulletins that I have read. And they are not willing or capable of discussing these questions. They are not deeply knowledgeable of their products. They only know enough to help direct a basic street car builder.

Ed Wright · 10-09-2012, 06:37 PM

I have to agree. I bought one of their cam sync distributors. The dang gear was installed upside down! Easy fix, but should have not been shipped that way. I first bought one from FAST, but it was too tall. (Half my engine is under the windshield.) It was marked where the sync signal was timed. The MSD had no marking, so I called their "tech" line. I needed to know where to put #1 plug wire. It was a joke. Before I hung up talking to that fool, I asked him. "Did you install the gear on my distributor?" He said "Maybe." I said "I think you probably did. It was upside down." Finally charged up the battery in my DSO and found it myself. Calling that clown " tech support" is using the term very loosely. I probably interrupted his rest room cleaning.

Jeff Lee · 10-09-2012, 06:54 PM

If I were to have an MSD, I would buy direct from Tech West. Although I've never done business with them, based on what I've seen here on Class Racer, they know their stuff. Their parts are upgraded so QC shouldn't be an issue.

Mallory left such a bad taste in my mouth in the '70's (I know, decades ago) I've never considered them since. I'm sure it's a better product by now.

I have sold all my MSD parts and bought ICE Ignition for my latest build. Haven't run it yet (soon?) but after seeing them as top scoring in Pop Hot Rod Engine Masters competition and discussing with actual users, I decided that's what I wanted to try. Google them and take a look at what is different about their product than MSD. And they make distributors also. I'll bet they can tackle a custom height distributor with no problem. They are in Australia and I don't see that as a hinderance. Those Aussie's seem pretty serious about their motorsports and aftermarket parts.

Chris Hardy · 10-10-2012, 08:12 PM

Hey Ed... that is some funny ****!!! They are some "Dumb Asses". But you had a better story than mine!

I love your part: Did you install my gear upside down??? LOL!
Anyhow... I just spoke to:

Pat Collins

MSD®Ignition Upgrade,Repair,Technical Support: 704-995-4286
techwest@techwestracing.com

http://www.techwestracing.com

He really semms to know his stuff!!! I suggest that everyone give him a call.
Thanks for your input

Dave1695 · 10-19-2012, 12:46 PM

Speaking from personal experience, many years ago, I had an ignition problem and thought it was the new MSD box. Turned out the coil in my Corvette distributor went bad just laying on the bench. The problem had everybody stumped, until their Tech suggested using a points triggered distributor and doing an A-B-A test, problem solved. A friend had a problem that was related to his alternator, they repaired his ignition box and diagnoised the alternator problem, just looking at the box. Needless to say we are more than happy with their Tech service. As a Tech person myself, (not with MSD), it is sometimes difficult to diagnois a problem over the phone and some questions might require divulging propiotary information. Just my two cents on the subject.

10-09-2012, 03:28 PM	#2
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! Chris! Pat Collins MSD®Ignition Upgrade,Repair,Technical Support: 704-995-4286 techwest@techwestracing.com http://www.techwestracing.com You'll be MUCH happier! Lew __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

10-09-2012, 03:44 PM	#3
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! I put a Mallory HyFire 6AL on my car at least 8 years ago and never needed to get it fixed!

10-09-2012, 03:46 PM	#4
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 881 Liked 858 Times in 234 Posts	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! X2 Tech West , My 7AL3 works great since he fixed and upgraded it. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK Last edited by Tom Goldman; 10-09-2012 at 03:56 PM.

10-09-2012, 03:52 PM	#5
TERMITE S/G 2122 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: n.c. Posts: 86 Likes: 0 Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! techwest@techwestracing. worked well for me with A 6AL upgrade and did my spare box.

10-09-2012, 03:56 PM	#6
Chris Hardy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Muskegon, Michigan Posts: 57 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! My issue is not with the quality of their products. They make some pretty good stuff. It is that their technicians are not technical. I have some very specific questions related to some very specific articles and bulletins that I have read. And they are not willing or capable of discussing these questions. They are not deeply knowledgeable of their products. They only know enough to help direct a basic street car builder.

10-09-2012, 03:18 PM	#1
Chris Hardy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Muskegon, Michigan Posts: 57 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 1 Post	Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!!! I will say this again!!! The MSD technicians are "Dumb Asses"!!! They only answer your questions with open ended answers. I get off of the phone knowing less about my MSD ignition than when I started!!! Please tell me that there is a better company to buy ignitions from!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

10-09-2012, 06:37 PM	#7
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! I have to agree. I bought one of their cam sync distributors. The dang gear was installed upside down! Easy fix, but should have not been shipped that way. I first bought one from FAST, but it was too tall. (Half my engine is under the windshield.) It was marked where the sync signal was timed. The MSD had no marking, so I called their "tech" line. I needed to know where to put #1 plug wire. It was a joke. Before I hung up talking to that fool, I asked him. "Did you install the gear on my distributor?" He said "Maybe." I said "I think you probably did. It was upside down." Finally charged up the battery in my DSO and found it myself. Calling that clown " tech support" is using the term very loosely. I probably interrupted his rest room cleaning. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA Last edited by Ed Wright; 10-09-2012 at 07:17 PM.

10-09-2012, 06:54 PM	#8
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! If I were to have an MSD, I would buy direct from Tech West. Although I've never done business with them, based on what I've seen here on Class Racer, they know their stuff. Their parts are upgraded so QC shouldn't be an issue. Mallory left such a bad taste in my mouth in the '70's (I know, decades ago) I've never considered them since. I'm sure it's a better product by now. I have sold all my MSD parts and bought ICE Ignition for my latest build. Haven't run it yet (soon?) but after seeing them as top scoring in Pop Hot Rod Engine Masters competition and discussing with actual users, I decided that's what I wanted to try. Google them and take a look at what is different about their product than MSD. And they make distributors also. I'll bet they can tackle a custom height distributor with no problem. They are in Australia and I don't see that as a hinderance. Those Aussie's seem pretty serious about their motorsports and aftermarket parts. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-10-2012, 08:12 PM	#9
Chris Hardy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Muskegon, Michigan Posts: 57 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! Hey Ed... that is some funny ****!!! They are some "Dumb Asses". But you had a better story than mine! I love your part: Did you install my gear upside down??? LOL! Anyhow... I just spoke to: Pat Collins MSD®Ignition Upgrade,Repair,Technical Support: 704-995-4286 techwest@techwestracing.com http://www.techwestracing.com He really semms to know his stuff!!! I suggest that everyone give him a call. Thanks for your input

10-19-2012, 12:46 PM	#10
Dave1695 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 160 Likes: 0 Liked 15 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Please tell me that there is a better company than MSD!! Speaking from personal experience, many years ago, I had an ignition problem and thought it was the new MSD box. Turned out the coil in my Corvette distributor went bad just laying on the bench. The problem had everybody stumped, until their Tech suggested using a points triggered distributor and doing an A-B-A test, problem solved. A friend had a problem that was related to his alternator, they repaired his ignition box and diagnoised the alternator problem, just looking at the box. Needless to say we are more than happy with their Tech service. As a Tech person myself, (not with MSD), it is sometimes difficult to diagnois a problem over the phone and some questions might require divulging propiotary information. Just my two cents on the subject.