MSD Digital ignitions

Uncrated · 12-22-2007, 10:13 PM

For "many years" [grin] I have used the MSD 6 AL or MSD 7 AL controllers.

In an effort to become more "modern" I am considering trying a digital controller.

Let me here about your experience/comments.

Thanks
Larry Woodfin

Sean Kennedy · 12-23-2007, 02:01 AM

I am also interested in this.

I have been told that the 2-step is a more gentle due on the bottom end. Due to being less random.

I have also been told that the RPM fluctuation on the 2-step is a lot smaller than the traditional box.

Anyone?

Todd Hoven · 12-23-2007, 02:16 AM

Three years ago, I switched from a 6T box to a digital 6 box. Two step rpm is very consistant. Never had any problems with it. The biggest thing I liked about it was it has a adjustable timing retard built into it and a two step as well. No extra modules to plug in or wire. Very clean instalation. Just my 2 cents...

Chipper Chapman · 12-23-2007, 06:59 PM

Digital 6 is an awesome box, due to the fact that it has nearly everything you will ever need in the one, small neat package.

Mike Hedger · 12-23-2007, 08:28 PM

If you buy one spend the extra and get the Digital 7 it has quite a bit more in it than the 6. They are a great peice but remember to get the correct coil with it they don't recomend using the pro power from the old 7AL setup. No more RPM modules to keep up with either.

Have a Merry Christmas, Mike

Bryan Broaddus · 12-24-2007, 01:42 PM

If you have a 6AL or 7AL2 then you can get all of the advanced functions buy purchasing an MSD 8979. This is a fully digital controller that will do everything a Digital 7 does but is only about $450.00. It is used in conjunction with you existing 6 or 7 box (connects at the points and two step plugs in). It runs on the same MSD software as the Digital boxes. It has individual cylinder timing, starting line retard, timing curve, retard for each gear, rev limiters, programable shift light output (which I use to run my auto shifter) and more.
I have been using one for several years with great results. MSD and the aftermarket does not push this box because they want to sell you a new $1100 Digital 7. When I questioned them about this box at the MSD trailer they wanted to know where I found out about this unit. Most of us have a spare 7AL so if you have a failure it means you only have to replace have the system for half the cost. As a matter of fact I priced the 8979 and a new 7AL2 and it was less than the Digital 7. Seems like a better deal for my money!

Jared Jordan · 12-24-2007, 02:16 PM

We've had a very positive experience with the Digital 7 box (both PN# 7530 and 7530T). Everything you need is in one unit so the installation looks a lot cleaner, the software is easy to use, and we've only had one box go bad in 7 years of using them.

Brian: do you use the PN# 8979 you were referring to in your post? The Belvedere has a 7-AL2 on it and I was thinking about getting one of the digital controllers rather than ripping out the whole ignition setup in the car and putting a Digital 7 in it.

Bryan Broaddus · 12-24-2007, 02:29 PM

Jared,

Yes, I use one in the Monte Carlo. It has worked great for me. You can install it in a few minutes too. You have to add the inductive pickup on the #1 pulg wire for the individual cylinder timing but that is all. Runs on the same software as the Digital 7. The MSD software will run all on them. It automatically identifies which box is connected on power up.

69Cobra · 09-01-2008, 11:08 PM

so is the 7531 legal in stock?

sixty8 · 09-04-2008, 12:03 AM

General Reg 8:3 says that the 7531 and the 7561 are prohibited in NHRA competition.

12-23-2007, 02:01 AM	#2
Sean Kennedy Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 182 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: MSD Digital ignitions I am also interested in this. I have been told that the 2-step is a more gentle due on the bottom end. Due to being less random. I have also been told that the RPM fluctuation on the 2-step is a lot smaller than the traditional box. Anyone?

12-23-2007, 02:16 AM	#3
Todd Hoven VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,330 Likes: 889 Liked 720 Times in 151 Posts	Re: MSD Digital ignitions Three years ago, I switched from a 6T box to a digital 6 box. Two step rpm is very consistant. Never had any problems with it. The biggest thing I liked about it was it has a adjustable timing retard built into it and a two step as well. No extra modules to plug in or wire. Very clean instalation. Just my 2 cents... __________________ Todd Hoven 1035 Stock

12-23-2007, 06:59 PM	#4
Chipper Chapman Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Belmont N.S. Canada Posts: 455 Likes: 216 Liked 142 Times in 64 Posts	Re: MSD Digital ignitions Digital 6 is an awesome box, due to the fact that it has nearly everything you will ever need in the one, small neat package.

12-23-2007, 08:28 PM	#5
Mike Hedger Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kemah TX Posts: 93 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: MSD Digital ignitions If you buy one spend the extra and get the Digital 7 it has quite a bit more in it than the 6. They are a great peice but remember to get the correct coil with it they don't recomend using the pro power from the old 7AL setup. No more RPM modules to keep up with either. Have a Merry Christmas, Mike __________________ Mike Hedger S/C 4646 MPH Racing and Fabrication

12-24-2007, 01:42 PM	#6
Bryan Broaddus Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 100 Likes: 1 Liked 18 Times in 3 Posts	Re: MSD Digital ignitions If you have a 6AL or 7AL2 then you can get all of the advanced functions buy purchasing an MSD 8979. This is a fully digital controller that will do everything a Digital 7 does but is only about $450.00. It is used in conjunction with you existing 6 or 7 box (connects at the points and two step plugs in). It runs on the same MSD software as the Digital boxes. It has individual cylinder timing, starting line retard, timing curve, retard for each gear, rev limiters, programable shift light output (which I use to run my auto shifter) and more. I have been using one for several years with great results. MSD and the aftermarket does not push this box because they want to sell you a new $1100 Digital 7. When I questioned them about this box at the MSD trailer they wanted to know where I found out about this unit. Most of us have a spare 7AL so if you have a failure it means you only have to replace have the system for half the cost. As a matter of fact I priced the 8979 and a new 7AL2 and it was less than the Digital 7. Seems like a better deal for my money! __________________ Bryan Broaddus 7568 STK ,SS

12-22-2007, 10:13 PM	#1
Uncrated Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	MSD Digital ignitions For "many years" [grin] I have used the MSD 6 AL or MSD 7 AL controllers. In an effort to become more "modern" I am considering trying a digital controller. Let me here about your experience/comments. Thanks Larry Woodfin

12-24-2007, 02:16 PM	#7
Jared Jordan Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 548 Likes: 118 Liked 233 Times in 71 Posts	Re: MSD Digital ignitions We've had a very positive experience with the Digital 7 box (both PN# 7530 and 7530T). Everything you need is in one unit so the installation looks a lot cleaner, the software is easy to use, and we've only had one box go bad in 7 years of using them. Brian: do you use the PN# 8979 you were referring to in your post? The Belvedere has a 7-AL2 on it and I was thinking about getting one of the digital controllers rather than ripping out the whole ignition setup in the car and putting a Digital 7 in it. __________________ Jared Jordan 7503 SS and Stk

12-24-2007, 02:29 PM	#8
Bryan Broaddus Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 100 Likes: 1 Liked 18 Times in 3 Posts	Re: MSD Digital ignitions Jared, Yes, I use one in the Monte Carlo. It has worked great for me. You can install it in a few minutes too. You have to add the inductive pickup on the #1 pulg wire for the individual cylinder timing but that is all. Runs on the same software as the Digital 7. The MSD software will run all on them. It automatically identifies which box is connected on power up. __________________ Bryan Broaddus 7568 STK ,SS

09-01-2008, 11:08 PM	#9
69Cobra Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California, Ky Posts: 667 Likes: 30 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: MSD Digital ignitions so is the 7531 legal in stock? __________________ Kris Rachford 69 Cobra 428CJ 4 Speed C/S 3032

09-04-2008, 12:03 AM	#10
sixty8 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 14 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MSD Digital ignitions General Reg 8:3 says that the 7531 and the 7561 are prohibited in NHRA competition.