Ever since I built my B16a, I've always used an MSD 6AL with external coil and MSD Cap. A lot of people tell me this upgrade is unnecessary because the Honda ignition is quite good.

Can an aftermarket ignition hurt performance if your engine mods are not too agressive?

 

look at it this way....

a JDM motor in japan runs on 97 octane(Ive been to japan to know this)
---so in that sense, the ign system is made for 97 octane.-hot spark. so in that sense, yes it could hurt you.

and your other question....OEM honda IGN systems are pretty good, unless your running a really serious built motor. --over say 250HP, I would stick with OEM honda.

 

Just because there is an aftermarket product, doesn't mean it's better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 7rrivera7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can an aftermarket ignition hurt performance if your engine mods are not too agressive?</TD></TR></TABLE>

NO... the igition system will only use up enough voltage to jump the spark plug gap. lets say aftermarket ignition coils are capable of putting out 100kV (totally made up number, ok?)... for the most part, your stock ignition system will only need 3-30 kV to jump the gap at varying engine loads. the rest of the unused voltage is just reserves in case you need it.

in short... no... over-doing on the ignition system will not harm performance or damage the engine. UNDER-doing the ign system WILL harm performance and your engine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by junkyard racer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OEM honda IGN systems are pretty good, unless your running a really serious built motor. --over say 250HP</TD></TR></TABLE>

Funny, us turbo guys say 400 whp.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 7rrivera7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can an aftermarket ignition hurt performance if your engine mods are not too agressive?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not many people dyno back to back with + without MSD or the like, but there have been a couple of cases where removing an MSD in one of the high hp turbo rides frees up as much as 50 whp.

 

I'll have to disagree with junkyard racer msd (multiple spark detenation) is carb friendly it will actual increase the burning efficiency, no wasted energy. No it does not kill power.

 

Thanks guys for your intelligent answers. I'll leave in my MSD but the part about the turbo guy freeing up 50 horses by removing the aftermarket ignition still concerns me!