Ryan Z

hey guys. Im going to try to install my MSD ignition system and coil this wknd. I'm on a budget for time, so I was wondering if any of you would have an approximation for how long this should take me. Im at college and can only come home to do stuff for limited bits of time. thnx! just want to get a general idea.

TaboII

2 hours to do it right with the correct tools availible. No problem.

Follow Skips suggestions/walkthrough on paragons site and it will be a walk in the park

Dave

The wiring takes about 5 minutes, another 10 minutes to install the coil. Mounting the unit is the hard part, I did mine so it could be removed without a trace (no holes) and it took a few hours.

Skip

Took forever to find the mounting spot for the unit - the rest is really too simple. I've received responses from many on the mounting location and type, but none have ever struck me as revolutionary. Granted, a simple bent braket to hold the unit down would be superior to my zip ties - but, they work great also.

Skip

Dave

Skip, Happy Post2K
I wouldnt call it revolutionary, but I made a plate of 12 gauge steel that matched the back of the MSD box, drilled the corners to bolt up the box and drilled 2 more holes to (using the rubber isolaters that came with the unit) mount it to the bracket vacated by the vacuum canister. I primed and painted it to avoid rust. There's just enough clearance that the unit doesn't rattle, even with the rubber mounts. I suspect that my 6AL box may be larger than the 6A box, as there is no way it could have leaned back toward the freash air intake as shown in your photos.

Michael Weinstein

I'm going to hijack this thread a little bit.

I am attempting to mount my MSD 6A right now too. I used the space near the vacuum canister for my Profec B solenoid (yes - I drilled holes for it). Someone suggested that I mount it in the back of the glove box, and it fits there pretty well. but I want some opinions for and against. Any comments about this? Any other suggested locations?

Dave

I had considered putting mine on the firewall (interior side) behind the glove box but it didn't look like it would fit there. In the process, I asked a similar question and it was pointed out (by Skip IIRC) that keeping the length of the wires between the coil and MSD unit as short as posible would be a good thing. Behind the nose panel is a very promising area (at least on a NA), I chose not to go this route only because I wanted access to the RPM module (6AL).

Michael Weinstein

I wonder how muh of a difference that the distance from the coil really makes. I mean, electricity travels at the speed of light, so the restriction would only be based on the size and resistance of the wires from the box itself. Would MSD size the wiring so that its product would only work if it is within 18 inches of the coil vs. 24 or 30 inches? It doesn't seem likely, but someone with more experience can chime in here.

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by Dave:
<strong>Skip, Happy Post2K <hr></blockquote></strong>

Oh my! I hadn't been counting, but that's just sad - maybe I am in need of a life?


[quote]<strong>I wouldnt call it revolutionary, but I made a plate of 12 gauge steel that matched the back of the MSD box, drilled the corners to bolt up the box and drilled 2 more holes to (using the rubber isolaters that came with the unit) mount it to the bracket vacated by the vacuum canister. I primed and painted it to avoid rust. There's just enough clearance that the unit doesn't rattle, even with the rubber mounts. I suspect that my 6AL box may be larger than the 6A box, as there is no way it could have leaned back toward the freash air intake as shown in your photos.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm fabbing a bracket tonight - last tech inspector was "unimpressed" with my zip-ties... huh, some people's children It was supposed to be temporary... hehe...

The 6A and 6AL are the same size externally (though the rubber mounts add ~1/2" of height) - mine is crammed in there very carefully

Skip

Dave

Yeah, your post count happened to catch my eye before at 1999. I've been meaning to take and post a few photos in case anyone else wants to do it this way.

It's a tight fit. That is the bottom of my 6AL, it's mounted upside down for access to the RPM module. There's also just enough room to get a deep socket on the battery hold down.

A view with the cover removed, showing the rubber mounts.

I forgot , I did end up drilling 1 hole. I used an L-bracket that I had laying around to stabilize the whole thing. The hardware I used to mount the box to the plate was the same thread, so I screwed one on to the top corner and attached the L-bracket. The other end has 1 self-tapping, sheet metal screw where it happened to line up.

The corner that is diagonally opposite this is 1/8" from the body so this is still a very tight fit. I can't imagine how you got yours to lay down Skip More power to ya <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by Dave:
<strong>I can't imagine how you got yours to lay down Skip More power to ya <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

B.F.H.:





If you bend down that tab that holds the vacuum canister, the unit will fit same as mine

S

Dave

[quote]Originally posted by Skip:
<strong>

B.F.H.:





If you bend down that tab that holds the vacuum canister, the unit will fit same as mine

S</strong><hr></blockquote>


<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />
Actually, I ended up bending that tab OUT a hair t avoid hitting the vacuum actuator in the last picture. That piece was the problem, even flattening that tab completely wouldn't give me the width I needed. That's why I thought the box might have been longer.

BTW, nice of MSD to paint the unit and the coil Guards Red! With my red Paragon wires, it all came together asthetically!

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by Dave:
<strong>BTW, nice of MSD to paint the unit and the coil Guards Red! With my red Paragon wires, it all came together asthetically!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yup, me too - I tried with the red silly-cone vacuum hose too, but the stuff I got was cheap and discolored quickly... now is kinda orange-translucent. <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />

S