question for steve, MSD
 

Steve W.

I was wondering why I hear so little about turbo's converting to MSD. My Ruf BTR is being converted as we speak by Prototech, who swear by these systems and use them up to 650HP single plug applications. Everyone seems to agree that Permatune is not reliable, and the bosch units are just too expensive to replace (mine went bad). Why doesn't anyone else seem to convert to MSD, a relative cheap conversion and supposedly superior to even the bosch unit ??

Hi Erik:

Good question and I really don't know the answer,.......... :) We have not used any Permatunes in over 15 years and the Bosch units, while very reliable, do not perform anywhere near as well as the MSD's, IMHO.

I've used MSD's and their coils on our race cars since 1977. We had two on our 3.5 litre 400+ HP RSR and our 935 for many years. I even installed a pair on a client's 917/10 to eliminate their chronic plug fouling and that really did the trick. We continue to use and recommend these on Turbos, carbureted and MFI's 911's.

These ignitions permit the wide (.040 or more) plug gaps that make more power and much better idling and drivability. The Bosch & Permatune and even the various DIS (crankfire) ignitions simply cannot do that at all.

I've only seen 2 failures of MSD's since I began installing them, too. Its a FAR better MTBF record than Bosch or Permatune.

thanks Steve,

That's the answer I was looking for, as long as reputable shops like yours and prototech use and advocate them, I feel better about my decision to switch. I will let you know the results after I get the car back. I figure that it will also give me some extra insurance running at 1 bar for 30 minutes at a time during DE events since I only have single plugs, against detonation (Sebring is next weekend, looking forward to it)

What MDS systems do you recommend for a street 930. The MDS 6BTM/6462 or other MDS system with attachable modules to retard timing or rev limiter?

Hi Garrick:

We normally use the MSD-6 AL and set the rev limiters with their plug-in modules. You can use the MSD-6 BTM with no problem, too.

We use the Turbo distributor that retains the boost retard/advance feature so the BTM version is not needed. In the case of twin- ignition cars, we convert the Turbo distributor to accept the RSR cap & rotor.

Hope this helps,

Is this a do-it-yourself installation? Please rate it from 1 to 10 with 10=professional installation required.

Thanks
Jeff

Don't laugh but, what does MSD stand for, What does it replace, and why would you want to use it?

MSD = Multiple Spark Discharge (I think), but it is also the name of the company: Check it out here

Thank you again Steve for your time and information regarding the MSD system. I have a 1988 930 distributor with advance & boost retard and plan on installing the 6AL unit with 7000 rev limit.

Garrick:

I would NOT install the 7000 RPM chip in the MSD unless you have replaced the stock 9mm rod bolts with Raceware or ARP ones.

Use a 6700 RPM rev limit. Unless you have performed very extensive modifications to your engine, there is no point in spinning a street-type turbocharged Porsche engine that hard.