LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Msd Distributor

Old 11-11-2006, 04:40 PM
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Default Msd Distributor

Building A New 383 For My 96 Z28. I Would Like Some Input On That New Msd Distributor. Anyone Actually Running It?


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Old 11-11-2006, 04:44 PM
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From what I heard they are not any better then a stock GM distributor. I would just call Sam Taylor Buick and Cadalliac.
Old 11-11-2006, 05:35 PM
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I'm installing it right now, so I'll update when finished
Old 11-11-2006, 07:31 PM
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I had one. Actually on the second one now. The first one died and the car quit running before the second tank of gas was gone. MSD stood behind it and and sent me a new one. If I have to get another one I'm going to try the dynospark.
Old 11-12-2006, 12:02 AM
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I have one of the Dynospark billet dist. but wish that I would have waited for the MSD. Dynospark doesn't reccommend turning more that 7200 rpm's but have had customers run them as high as 7700 rpm's. The new MSD will turn 10,000 rpm with the design of its new product. I am looking at turning my LT1 355 8500 rpm and really don't feel comfortable with the response that Dynospark gave me. So far all of the MSD distributor's that I have run in the past have been bullet proof(Gen 1 type engine's). The other feature that is nice about the MSD cap & rotor is that they are built out of better materials than the one from Dynospark(my multiple discharge box puts out 302 mega-jouls of spark energy almost 3 times that of a MSD 6a or 6al box). And last but not least is that I only use a few products that MSD manufactures and distibutors are about it.
Old 11-12-2006, 01:58 AM
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The MSD unit fixed 2 of the major design issues with the GM Opti-spark. 1st, they added an extra bolt at the top to sandwich the opti together. This makes it seal up better and not go out when you get it wet. 2nd, they have brass screws that hold the rotor together instead of the OEM plastic rivets that fall out at high rpm. The really cool part is that you can get just the MSD cap and rotor for $125 that have these 2 features built in.

Mike
Old 11-12-2006, 02:03 AM
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msd replaced the connector to, the whole things machined... got mine on last week.. after my stock GM delco + msd cap rotor failed after 600 (low res failure)
Old 11-12-2006, 03:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 1997bird
I have one of the Dynospark billet dist. but wish that I would have waited for the MSD. Dynospark doesn't reccommend turning more that 7200 rpm's but have had customers run them as high as 7700 rpm's. The new MSD will turn 10,000 rpm with the design of its new product. I am looking at turning my LT1 355 8500 rpm and really don't feel comfortable with the response that Dynospark gave me. So far all of the MSD distributor's that I have run in the past have been bullet proof(Gen 1 type engine's). The other feature that is nice about the MSD cap & rotor is that they are built out of better materials than the one from Dynospark(my multiple discharge box puts out 302 mega-jouls of spark energy almost 3 times that of a MSD 6a or 6al box). And last but not least is that I only use a few products that MSD manufactures and distibutors are about it.
****** a, why not just go with a full on crank trigger and distributor? spinnin that **** to the moon

Last edited by 94z28L; 11-12-2006 at 03:10 AM.
Old 11-12-2006, 03:29 AM
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I have it but don't race with it..yet...A OK so far..cranked right up.
Old 11-12-2006, 04:15 AM
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Bit of an upgrade to non vented too isn't it? Allows vented w/o getting the crank trigger style. Or with the MSD do you HAVE to get the crank trig too?
Old 11-12-2006, 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Formula350
Bit of an upgrade to non vented too isn't it? Allows vented w/o getting the crank trigger style. Or with the MSD do you HAVE to get the crank trig too?
No changes just bolts right up.
Old 11-12-2006, 11:57 AM
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I've been debating lately as I seem to loose the stock optis at an alarming rate (every year and a half or so).

I'm still not sure if I should be going with an MSD, Dynaspark, LTCC, or Delteq, or some combination there of. It really seems a wash.

All I know is that I'm tired of screwing around with a constant miss and a new opti that fixes it for a couple thousand miles isnt' cutting it.
Old 11-12-2006, 02:36 PM
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I don't plan on spinning my motor that high all of the time, just if I need to while racing. I can't shift my six speed all that well while going through a sharp corner, do to a nerve injury to my right arm. Straight line I can bang them better than most out there. Besides it can handle the rpm in short periods. I used to spin my stock Opti 6600 rpm all of the time in my 1997 Trans Am without any problem's.
Old 11-12-2006, 02:54 PM
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i put one on a 383 in the spring...noticed it was better than the stocker right away. mine too failed, screws backed out of the cap, again...msd stood behind it and replaced it. if you go this way, i would put thread locker on the screws that hold the cap to the drive.
Old 11-12-2006, 02:59 PM
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My Dynospark that I bought a little over a year ago recommended that you use thread locker for the screws on the cap when changed out.
Old 11-12-2006, 03:18 PM
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i have it... with no problems so far... and it has around 8-9K miles on it... its a DD that gets the **** beat outta it often... i like it... no problems here...
Old 11-13-2006, 09:05 PM
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Just put mine in this past week on my 383...only got to drive it for 2 days before I had to come back offshore to work. Sux that I didn't learn about the rotor screws til after I installed it. But I had a high rpm dead miss(wouldn't turn over 5100 at all) for about 2 years chasing it...2 GM opti's, changed plugs, wires, everything....Well the MSD cured it right up! I was convinced it was a fuel issue.....was a pleasant surprise when it was singing to 6800 without a hiccup. But like I said...just put it in- we'll see how it holds up.
Old 11-14-2006, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Formula350
Bit of an upgrade to non vented too isn't it? Allows vented w/o getting the crank trigger style. Or with the MSD do you HAVE to get the crank trig too?
Yes it does. They include everything so that your 93-94 opti will be vented. I know cause I put one on my car, haven't had any issues yet. I drove from CA to PA and PA to FL, so I've logged a few miles on it.


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