MSD 6AL Or MSD 6A

[LEEJANDZ]

;help ;help ;help

I want to go with a MSD 6AL ignition for my 79 L-82.

But I cant decide which one I should go with... PN 6420 or the 8500.

Anyone have any suggestions???

;help ;help ;help

JASON *** BRAND NEW MAGNECOR WIRES FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82

 

[HammerDown]

I'd suggest the Crane HI-6

Well as you may know...the 6AL gives you the advantage to controll over reving with little push in chips. Is your car a stick, and if so do you miss shifts very often? (see what I'm getting at)?

You can also look at the Crane Cams H-I6 Box. It's fully digital and potted. It has a dial trim pod that alows the setting of rpm controll (no push in chips)...and now in Summit and Jeg's...you get for free the recomended Crane Coil. Both for $199.00 I belive, that would be my suggestion.

 

[Jack]

MSD 6 boxes are great ... I have a couple ... but I think they're usually overkill for the typical street-performance car ... mostly just for braggin' rights on all but race cars. Your 79 came with one of the best ignition systems made (early GM HEI). GM hei is more reliable than msd 6. If a part fails w/ the hei, you can get one anywhere ... NOT so w/ msd. HEI parts are cheap ... NOT so w/ MSD. Nearly any shop can diagnose an HEI ... NOT so w/ msd. Nearly any shop can fix an hei ... NOT so w/ msd. IMHO, just ensure your HEI is in tip top shape ... spend the msd bucks elsewhere.

But if you're determined ... I've got a good braggart's box & coil for ya. MSD 6600 "black" HVC box & accompanying 8250 HVC coil ... straight off Jerry Nadeau's W Cup car ... Summit gets $470/pair ... I'll take $350/pair... no haggling.
JACK:gap

 

[LEEJANDZ]

I have a B&M automatic so I wont be missing any shifts but I plan on installing a nitrous system and would like the rev limiter.

Would the MSD 6al give me increased throttle response & gas mileage over the stock GM HEI system?

What is a MSD 6600 "black" HVC box & accompanying 8250 HVC coil?
Advantages/Disadvantages

 

[Jack]

I have a B&M automatic so I wont be missing any shifts but I plan on installing a nitrous system and would like the rev limiter.
Would the MSD 6al give me increased throttle response & gas mileage over the stock GM HEI system?What is a MSD 6600 "black" HVC box & accompanying 8250 HVC coil?
Advantages/Disadvantages

With any CD box you'd probably see an increase in throttle response & mileage ... relatively small increases probably not worth the investment. For nitrous you might need a spark retard system more than a rev limiter. You can get a rev limiter for under $100 that will work well with your GM HEI. www.msdignition.com Compare the specs of 6 series boxes ... contrast them with specs of the 6600 w/ 8250 ... it has about 30% more wallop (150 mJ vs 115) ... 30% more overkill for the typical street-performance car ... HVC pro power costs a lot more than other 6 boxes. Before I went nuts on a street motor build, I'd verify what's both practical & permitted by the smog nazis.
JACK:gap

 

[Mako]

MSD 6 boxes are great ... I have a couple ... but I think they're usually overkill for the typical street-performance car ... mostly just for braggin' rights on all but race cars. Your 79 came with one

The stock HEI won't rev though, it's pretty much done by 5000. The in cap coil module is prone to failure as well :-/

I have an MSD-6AL in my Vette and a Crane Hi6TR in my supercharged Z28. Both work fine. The Crane box is physically a more compact package and has the built in rev limiter. You have to buy the chips from the MSD or fabricate your own.

Either box will help a bit on the lower RPM with the multiple sparks which can help get you through a smog test. Both are CARB approved.

Either one is a nice improvment over HEI imho.

CYa!
Allen