MSD Capacitor

[drgrcr1156]

Of what benefit, if any, is an MSD Capacitor with a 7AL-2 plus? Everything seems to run fine so is it worth the cost to add it?


Bob

[Rich Biebel]

A capacitor wired across the 12volt DC power to the MSD would act to resisit or dampen voltage fluctuations or spikes.

The benefit might be longer box life but I doubt it.....More stable output possibly by a small amount....

If it was necessary every MSD would have one or come with one but they don't.....

[Sean Marconette]

If it is the MSD noise capacitor that you are referring too, I have one on my car. It was suggested for my data logger as I was having all kinds of spikes in the logs. It made a difference and has been on the car for over 10 years.

[Tom Goldman]

The large MSD capacitor serves several functions ,as Rich stated it can help to minimize minor voltage fluctuations.
Its biggest function is noise suppression . The 7AL can cause a lot of RF interference ,which on a car with absolutly no other electronics probably wont cause any problems .
Problems begin when adding other electronics such as an RPM shifter control , a Data Recorder or a delay box , all of which can be subject to RF interference.

[Mike Rietow]

In the early days of radial racing in Florida a buddy had a 68 Camaro, Gene Fulton Big Chief pro mod engine shooting ducks with 2 or 3 foggers when the nitrous came on. Back then there was no progressors so they'd run a overly tight torque converter to insulate power. It went on for a couple months. He finally put a noise filter on it and shredded the driveshaft to pieces, first lick on the car with it. Car had RF for some reason.

[DailyDriverSst]

agree with the above. Had all kinds of phantom issues with 7AL3 until we added it.