Horsepower Increase

[BlueAgave66]

How much horsepower increase and change in acceleration can I expect from installing a MSD 6A ignition system on my ZZ4 355hp engine in a '66 coupe? Thanks

 

[myonnone]

How about none. A properly funtional non-elecronic ignition system will perform equal to its electronic brother. Yea, sure high spark voltage, more consistant dwell, ect, but you should not feel the difference and it will certainly be hard to measure the differences.

 

[BLACK MOON]

I can't say its measureable but it really woke mine up. I would never go back!

 

[allcoupedup]

Agree - A properly functioning points ignition system will be roughly equivalent to the MSD set up. Remember, the spark is just the catalyst for combustion. The combustion is what delivers the power.

I wouldn't invest in the MSC box unless you are trying to squeeze that extra 1 or 2 HP out of an already highly tuned engine. MSD may also show some benefits over 6500 RPM due to the tendancy of points to bounce at extreme RPM. Oh yeah... MSD will give you the easily adjustable rev limiter.

Brian

 

[IH2LOSE]

How about none. A properly funtional non-elecronic ignition system will perform equal to its electronic brother. Yea, sure high spark voltage, more consistant dwell, ect, but you should not feel the difference and it will certainly be hard to measure the differences.

I have to disagree on this.they are olnly prperley set up for a short time.Point start to wear out imediatley.Also above a certain rpm they float.
Nothing better then electronic

 

[BLACK MOON]

Let me correct what I said. When I said 'wake it up' I mean, it started much quicker, accelerated better and faster and there was a huge increase it top end and max rpm. That equates to horse power. You would need a dyno to measure it but its there. Unless you feel a need to keep the car that original, MSD is the way to go. Its the only brand I would recommend and they have a billet distributer with a mechanical tach drive. I have the 6A box but am upgrading to the 6AL. If you want a 6A box let me know.

 

[IH2LOSE]

I have a MSD in my car presently.I am going to be reinstalling the original ti system (Ihave been trying to bring my car back to factory correct for ncrs judging) Any ways when I installed the msd system (ihave the box,distibutor,and coil) I benifited from immediate starts,And it seemed to wind up real fast.Almost like a 2 stroke motor.I also had to build imatation sheilded wires because the stock wires will burn out with the MSD box's

If I am power shifting the car I actually bounce it off the rev limiter.When the car was at the body shop I installed a 3000 rpm chip in it and was told by the body shop it had a bad miss in it when they were pulling it in and out. (how can you hit 3000 rpm pulling it in and out) needless to say I showed them the hidden box and explained the rev limiter to it.I put in a 6100 chip to show them how it doesnt break up.

Good luck

 

[BLACK MOON]

I bet they loved that little trick. They could have been doing great burnouts in the parking lot had you not done that. You and 67 heaven ought to get together. He's looking for a MSD setup. That is if Blue66 doesn't offer to buy it. I can understand your decision but it is only a 30 point deduction if you keep the original shields.

 

[IH2LOSE]

I bet they loved that little trick. They could have been doing great burnouts in the parking lot had you not done that. You and 67 heaven ought to get together. He's looking for a MSD setup. That is if Blue66 doesn't offer to buy it. I can understand your decision but it is only a 30 point deduction if you keep the original shields.

I have decided to go 100% for judging

1-remove hurst shifter
2-remove aftermarket hidden stereo
3-remove after market knock off wheels and radials and go to hub caps and bias ply
4-Remove MSD system

As they say on tv "this is the life we chose" I feel strongly about getting this car back to 100% factory correct. we will see if my opion changes after judging

 

[ctjackster]

I have decided to go 100% for judging

1-remove hurst shifter
2-remove aftermarket hidden stereo
3-remove after market knock off wheels and radials and go to hub caps and bias ply
4-Remove MSD system

As they say on tv "this is the life we chose" I feel strongly about getting this car back to 100% factory correct. we will see if my opion changes after judging

as for your item #3, 2nd part (going back to bia-plys) - bet your opinion changes the minute you drive the thing.

But I can certainly see how taking it back to original can get addicting and fun; me, I don't ever plan on going for a top flight, but you can bet everything I need to touch on the car gets taken back to correct original if I have the option (aside from the crap dated plug wires, and tires) because it is fun and challenging, and hell, where else can I put all this utterly useless C2 "correct" information to use ? Plus, these things ran pretty damn well as delivered, so no big harm there.

Now, if I put a rod through my original engine, I might go off the deep end and build the baddest, incorrect crate motor, but that hasn't happened yet

 

[BLACK MOON]

If you need to get rid of all that useless 'stuff' just send it my way and I'll get rid of it for you!!

I have decided to go 100% for judging

1-remove hurst shifter
2-remove aftermarket hidden stereo
3-remove after market knock off wheels and radials and go to hub caps and bias ply
4-Remove MSD system

As they say on tv "this is the life we chose" I feel strongly about getting this car back to 100% factory correct. we will see if my opion changes after judging

 

[JohnZ]

A properly-restored and set up Delco point distributor (with 28-32 oz. tension points like Borg-Warner A112HP or Accel, not the stock 19-23 oz. points) will run like gangbusters, but most people never give any maintenance attention at all to original distributors, so they get a bad rap when they actually have worn shaft bushings, excessive shaft end play at the drive gear, sticky and/or wobbly breaker plate pivots, dried-up upper shaft lube wells, and Bubba'd-up centrifugal and vacuum advance systems.

My dead-stock/untouched/unrestored but properly-maintained original '69 Z/28 will howl to 6500+ all day long with the original Delco point distributor, original stock coil, and (new) stock plug wires, and won't leave me stranded.

 

[Miami Stingray]

I recentley had Lars rebuild my stock distributor. What a big improvement. My 300hp 327 was plagued with uneven idle and slight miss at upper rpm's. I chased this problem for a year. Replaced a lot of good parts.
Guy's don't forget the distributor, I found out the expensive way.
Lou

 

[67HEAVEN]

I recentley had Lars rebuild my stock distributor. What a big improvement. My 300hp 327 was plagued with uneven idle and slight miss at upper rpm's. I chased this problem for a year. Replaced a lot of good parts.
Guy's don't forget the distributor, I found out the expensive way.
Lou

Miami Stingray,
Welcome to the .

We're glad to have another midyear guy!!!