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

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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 11:00 PM
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I have a MSD 6al from my previous build... is it worth installing on my 95?
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 11:28 PM
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Of course, the MSD boxes will help almost any setup.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 11:43 PM
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I have heard from a couple places that aftermarket boxes put additional strain on the opti...I don't know the validity of this but its something to think about. I've had some issues with a fairly new opti after only a 1,000 miles on a msd box. I just replaced mine and am not sure if I will be running my box now...
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 02:06 AM
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I haven't had any opti problems I can blame on my 6AL. If nothing else, I'd use it for the better rev limmiter.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 02:19 AM
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I have heard of people blaming their problems on the MSD box, but I seriously doubt its weakening anything considering so many run it with no problems at all. It wouldent be this select few, it would be the vast majority of people running it having issues if it truely was "weakening" anything.

Remember, its alot easier to blame the parts rather than admit human error.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 02:33 AM
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My opti issues were all me!!

P.S. don't miss gears, and don't set your rev limmiter higher than you are willing to see the engine rev
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 02:42 AM
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Originally Posted by 96LT1355Z28
My opti issues were all me!!

P.S. don't miss gears, and don't set your rev limmiter higher than you are willing to see the engine rev
Ouch, I dont think anyone wants to hear the story that goes along with that one Not anybody that likes LT1s anyways...
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 09:05 PM
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maybe in some high HP situations, but I had my Mallory box on the opti I removed for a year. The cap and rotor looked great for being 2yrs old.

On a similiar note i've got a question. I noticed my shift light ( I know it's an automatic and I rarely ever manually shift, I just got the light for dirt cheap so what the heck)wasn't coming on today when it normally should (has a 5.4 rpm pill in it fed off PCM). Earlier I had the gf come with me and watch the climate control tach (reads the same as my autometer both fed from PCM) to tell my when light was coming on. finally at 5700rpm it was coming on. I was thinking the pill is junk all of a sudden or something.

Anyways on my Mallory 685 I have the Rev Limiter set to 6200rpm (stock at 6400). When I had the gf watch, the rev limiter kicked in when the CC tach read 6000 rpm. If that'st the case then then the pcm fed units are 200rpm underwhat they're supposed to be. SO for anyone who'd be able to answer, what would be the more accurate of the two? The Ignition Box or the PCM when reporting rpms?

Last edited by buffman; Aug 18, 2008 at 09:15 PM.
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Old Aug 19, 2008 | 12:03 AM
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I would think the PCM would be more accurate, but thats just a guess.
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Old Aug 19, 2008 | 12:25 AM
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total noob question but how do you hook up a 6al to a factory opti set up
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Old Aug 19, 2008 | 01:22 AM
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Same way you would any other. Either cutting and splicing your own connectors or just buying the already made connector pigtails (most places that sell the MSD 6al have them for the LT1 single and duel connector coils for around $40-50).

This already made connector will allow you to just plug and play.
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Old Aug 19, 2008 | 03:54 PM
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lt1 tachs are notorious for being slow and inaccurate!
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 02:57 AM
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Originally Posted by buffman
maybe in some high HP situations, but I had my Mallory box on the opti I removed for a year. The cap and rotor looked great for being 2yrs old.

On a similiar note i've got a question. I noticed my shift light ( I know it's an automatic and I rarely ever manually shift, I just got the light for dirt cheap so what the heck)wasn't coming on today when it normally should (has a 5.4 rpm pill in it fed off PCM). Earlier I had the gf come with me and watch the climate control tach (reads the same as my autometer both fed from PCM) to tell my when light was coming on. finally at 5700rpm it was coming on. I was thinking the pill is junk all of a sudden or something.

Anyways on my Mallory 685 I have the Rev Limiter set to 6200rpm (stock at 6400). When I had the gf watch, the rev limiter kicked in when the CC tach read 6000 rpm. If that'st the case then then the pcm fed units are 200rpm underwhat they're supposed to be. SO for anyone who'd be able to answer, what would be the more accurate of the two? The Ignition Box or the PCM when reporting rpms?

If you have a quality aftermarket tach reading rpm's from and aftermarket ignition I'd go off the aftermarket stuff. Mt factory tach is fairly accurate in 3rd and 4th gears but it can't keep up in 1st and 2nd. My shift light (6400) will come on when the factory tach reads about 6000 in 1st and 2nd.
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