MSD Pro Billet Distributor. Likes? Dislikes?
10-15-2008, 04:31 PM
#1
MSD Pro Billet Distributor. Likes? Dislikes? I was wondering what experience/input anyone has with the MSD Pro Billet distributor. Has anyone seen any real power gains with it, just an overall more reliable unit, or any known problems with it? Thanks for your input!
10-15-2008, 04:48 PM
#2
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: chicago,IL
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would stay with a OEM opti. I havent heard too much on the MSD unit tho, but it if was something to shout about it would be more popular.
Id say go with another ac delco.
Id say go with another ac delco.
10-15-2008, 04:48 PM
#3
^+1, I just got mine in from Summit for $515.00 (Ecklers has it for $469.99 http://www.ecklerscamaro.com/product...3&dept_id=1285 ) and before I put it in I'd like some input from some other LTX fans!
10-15-2008, 05:34 PM
#7
I have handled one, and it turned out to be part of the problems the car was experiancing.
There are two groups of folks that recommend them. The ones who blindly believe all advertizing and bench racing and those who bought them and can not admit that it was less than a good choice. Best case it is no more reliable than stock.
IMO the cap and rotor kit on a stock opti base is a good idea, but you will not see the billet base on my car.
There are two groups of folks that recommend them. The ones who blindly believe all advertizing and bench racing and those who bought them and can not admit that it was less than a good choice. Best case it is no more reliable than stock.
IMO the cap and rotor kit on a stock opti base is a good idea, but you will not see the billet base on my car.
Trending Topics
10-15-2008, 05:49 PM
#9
I purchased it, its a good quality unit. But you could get by with a stock one. Id only buy an ac delco one tho.
Do I regret buying the msd unit? Kind of you see I bought it because it as the adjustable timing on it...But really I'll probably never use it. There's wiser ways to spend your money then spending an extra 200$ on opti. But then again Im happy with the quality, and on the other hand everytime Ive opened up a OEM opti you could see where moisture had been (good opti or not) I can say I have see NO traces of moisture in this unit.
Do I regret buying the msd unit? Kind of you see I bought it because it as the adjustable timing on it...But really I'll probably never use it. There's wiser ways to spend your money then spending an extra 200$ on opti. But then again Im happy with the quality, and on the other hand everytime Ive opened up a OEM opti you could see where moisture had been (good opti or not) I can say I have see NO traces of moisture in this unit.
10-15-2008, 06:07 PM
#11
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
obviously youre not searching correctly or using too broad of a search, and you searched on this site correct? try MSD opti this topic has been beat to death. literally i have been on the site for say 6-7 months and have seen an MSD opti question come up from a new member at least once a each week of those 6-7 months.
10-15-2008, 06:18 PM
#12
went through 2 of them . 1 bad out of the box and 1 went to rubbing the rotor on the cap. before anyone says it yes the seal was on correctly. when i went to a shop in my area they were taking 2 msds off of customers cars and putting the oem piece back on. they remind me of an old saying " no matter how much you polish a turd, its still gonna be a turd"
10-15-2008, 06:52 PM
#13
I tend to have a different standard for good or bad parts than most folks. You will find my opinion in frequent disagreement with the masses, and you will also see things like my whale of a car spanking LS1s on the jug 
.
As others have said it has been beaten to death, so instead of being as blunt as I usually am how about I just direct you to posts by "the engineer" where while he says it is good in the same breath offers full instructions on how to rebuild it before ever installing.
I run stock bases, never had a problem. Been daily driving optis for the last 8.5 years and put over 195K miles on them, all cars bought used obviously. My low mileage car is 135K, the high mileage is 227K.
IMO most "opti problems" are due to neglect, missassembly, or plugged vent harness. By neglect I mean folks leaving a cap and rotor on for 100K and then complaining when the resulting arcing does damage. Think a LOT have been called bad when all they needed was a new cap and rotor. People seem to forget those are tuneup items.
There is usually a BIG difference between what is "supposed" to be best and what actually works best, a lesson most choose to learn the expensive and hard way.
.As others have said it has been beaten to death, so instead of being as blunt as I usually am how about I just direct you to posts by "the engineer" where while he says it is good in the same breath offers full instructions on how to rebuild it before ever installing.
I run stock bases, never had a problem. Been daily driving optis for the last 8.5 years and put over 195K miles on them, all cars bought used obviously. My low mileage car is 135K, the high mileage is 227K.
IMO most "opti problems" are due to neglect, missassembly, or plugged vent harness. By neglect I mean folks leaving a cap and rotor on for 100K and then complaining when the resulting arcing does damage. Think a LOT have been called bad when all they needed was a new cap and rotor. People seem to forget those are tuneup items.
There is usually a BIG difference between what is "supposed" to be best and what actually works best, a lesson most choose to learn the expensive and hard way.
10-15-2008, 07:22 PM
#14
I’m using the MSD distributor. According to their literature, it has a better optical unit, a large ball bearing on the shaft and has adjustable timing. They wouldn’t say these things if it weren’t true as MSD is a reputable company. They don’t mention it but instead of having an electrical socket on it, they put a potted tail to connect to the PCM harness eliminating one source of problems. I very much like this. I’ve done some small timing adjustments with beneficial driveability results.
Realize that I’m using the LTCC system so I’ve installed the neatto Deltec blank cover.
A good condition OEM unit works well and many here have had very good results with it. I do feel the MSD unit is a higher quality, better built piece. The main reason I got it is it’s such a bitch to change it that I wanted something more durable then the OEM unit which has proven itself to often be the source of many problems.
I don’t know what to say about those who’ve gotten bad MSD units and took them out. Perhaps I was lucky? The one I bought worked perfectly from the get-go and still is. My car is a daily driver, been in snow, torrential heavy rain on the New York State Thruway, parking lot dings and have had three chicks in it (one really BIG) with an baby in a baby seat.
I use this thing.
BTW, I still have the new MSD cap & rotor it came with, never used. First guy to ante up a hundred bucks gets it.
Realize that I’m using the LTCC system so I’ve installed the neatto Deltec blank cover.
A good condition OEM unit works well and many here have had very good results with it. I do feel the MSD unit is a higher quality, better built piece. The main reason I got it is it’s such a bitch to change it that I wanted something more durable then the OEM unit which has proven itself to often be the source of many problems.
I don’t know what to say about those who’ve gotten bad MSD units and took them out. Perhaps I was lucky? The one I bought worked perfectly from the get-go and still is. My car is a daily driver, been in snow, torrential heavy rain on the New York State Thruway, parking lot dings and have had three chicks in it (one really BIG) with an baby in a baby seat.
I use this thing.BTW, I still have the new MSD cap & rotor it came with, never used. First guy to ante up a hundred bucks gets it.
10-15-2008, 07:40 PM
#15
I have a MSD opti and it has been alright. Mine is an earlier one and the o-ring that seals the cap can be a pain. I also wish it did not have any kind of adjustability, it just adds to the complication.
If I were to do it over again I would go with a Delco/GM unit. Like caprice said an OEM base with the MSD cap and rotor would be the way to go.
If I were to do it over again I would go with a Delco/GM unit. Like caprice said an OEM base with the MSD cap and rotor would be the way to go.
10-15-2008, 07:47 PM
#16
On The Tree
iTrader: (60)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dorr, MI
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I put one on my 93 Vette and am very happy with it. I like the fact that now it is vented. Also you can find them cheaper,much cheaper,than $515. I talked to a friend of mine at a parts store and he gave me his discount and I paid like $425 shipped.
10-15-2008, 08:23 PM
#17
By the way guys I really wanted to appologize for bringing up such a beat-to-death topic such as the infamous Opti-spark. Although, really really appreciate what you all have to say. But, to add to the topic I did entertain just doing the MSD cap and rotor but, I didn't know how it would work since I'm really not to fimiliar with the Opti and I really didn't want to chance anything since this is my only ride (I know, I know, never hot rod your only car).
10-15-2008, 09:00 PM
#18
for people to find in searches later on.
Nothing annoys me more than searching only to have to spend my day sifting
though pages of "try a seach", "beat to death" and otherwise useless responses.
10-15-2008, 09:27 PM
#20
Guess I was just lucky too...... I didn't loctite my rotor screws or any of that ****, just put the seal in there and installed it. Ran fine for 30k, not expecting any issues out of it when that motor goes into my truck either. Oh yeah and it was taking baths of oil, no problems though.