I currently have an MSD cap and rotor with external coil and an 6A box. I'm pretty sure it's the source of all my bogging even though it was reliable for 3 years previously. Should I just yank it all out and go back to OEM or just get rid of the 6A box? Do I have to get a retune if I do either of these 2 options? Thanks.

 

pick up a summit racing digital ignition box and wire it up with your current coil and you should be fine that is unlesss your running 3 year old cap and rotor at which point you need to be replacing those asap.

the summit digital box ( aka mallory hifire digital ) works well with stock ignitor setups, the msd boxes are just junk unless your runnign big money digital stuff. if you want mroe info on hooking it up let me know or you can ask Theshodan

 

hmmm. Definately time to change the cap & rotor first. 3 years can be a long time depending upon use. Summit has good pricing for the replacement for that. Check the gaps of your plugs at the same time... THEN see if you need another box. The 6A is an analog box that was very reliable. I doubt it is that. but an old cap/ rotor is something that you must do even with OEM. that's general maintanence that even non-performance oriented people change

 

It's funny that you both mentioned cap and rotor because I just changed them a few weeks ago, thinking that it would solve my problem but alas, it did not.

As far as spark plug gaps go, my car was tuned by the old owner on stock gap .44 but I had them gapped closer (.32) when I changed them recently. It was bogging before I did this but could this be part of my problem or is it something else? I'd also mention that I hear a rattling noise coming from either the distributor or the coil on cold startups which goes away as the car warms up. I suspected a bad distributor bearing but I checked it out and everything seemed fine, no oil buildup either. Could my external coil be going back or would that cause another symptom?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Check your base timing. Replace the cap, rotor, wires and plugs.

 

Maybe time for a new coil? You've changed the obvious, plugs, cap, rotor, OHM out the wires, call MSD for how to check the coil. Their techs are great, and have helped me a few times.

 

By base timing do you mean ignition timing?

 

I had the same issues as OP, I changed the igniter and still had the issues. Switched back to all OEM with a new distributor with no issues at all.

 

That's why I'm considering it. I've heard stories like yours many many times.

 

Because the ignitor and the Internal coil work with each other. When TakumiJr changed his distributor it had a different ignitor and coil together. Again, it may not be just ONE area. CHeck your plugs/wires/cap/rotor. then Coil/ ignitor.

 

Exactly, I wanted to solve the issue so I got all new distributor,cap,rotor, plugs, and wires.

 

if you suspect its the 6a box its easy to test the box alone. If you still don't trust it, you can run with just the external coil and keep everything else as is and remove the 6a box, however the coil can be a little harsh on the ICM so that may go out faster. Personally i went through this and ditched the MSD setup all together and wanted nothing to do with ICM which was my headache as it burn up the hotter it gets, so i went with T1 M&W Pro 10 setup which has been problem free and no more ICM which is a plus. Any other replacement of the 6a Box still requires an ICM so be aware. Thanks to the kind folks here on HT i was directed to the M&W stuff. Here it is http://www.t1racedevelopment.com/en/...ro-10-kit.html

good luck

 

Check the ground for your msd box.

 

analog msd box are defiantly not as reliable as the digital boxes. Ive seen several cases where msd boxs caused missing and hesitation.

 

How much power are you making? OEM ignition is great.

 

We've discussed this. Its not about a "power level" necessarily, its the efficiency of the spark used and the purpose of the car.

 

i was so sick of having trouble with the msd ignition. (same symptoms)
i switched back to oem and never looked back im happy with it.

 

buddy had same porblem on his turbow ls went back to all oem and was problem free i dont wanna say msd is bad cause it is not but it clearly has been questionable if it is a worth while upgrade