Ignition Upgrades

[TRACKMKIII]

I was going over my N/A build up plans and realized that I hadn't thought about any upgrades to my igniton system. I did a search and didn't find many threads about igniton upgrades in the N/A section, so I thought I would share my plan and maybe get some feed back and opinions. Well I am looking at running a set of MSD 8.5 mm wires, Blaster SS Coil and the MSD 6A igniton system. I think this setup should keep up with any other upgrades that I make and it will not cost an arm and a leg. (Wires $90 Coil $40 and the 6A $100 plus $25 for the tach adapter.) So tell me what you guys think. I have also looked at the XS Engineering Power Pack Ignition Amplifier , but I haven't heard or seen much about it.

 

[TRACKMKIII]

Any comments?

 

[Nick M]

Well, those components work well. I have used them. Just not on a Supra. What upgrade are you planning on that you need a 500 hp ignition?

 

[TRACKMKIII]

I doubt my plans will make 500hp ,but since I have an N/A I figured I would upgrade as many different possible things to make as much power as I can without a turbo.

 

[IJ.]

If it's not breaking down now it would be a waste of cash.

Even the GE has a pretty stout ignition system make sure it's functioning right and it will be more than enough.

 

[TRACKMKIII]

The previous owner told me that the wires have been on the car for about 3 years and he doesn't remember ever having to replace the coil, so I figured why not upgrade and my friend has a 6A that he never used and would sell it to me for next to nothing.

 

[bluemax]

The cost/performance ration on ignition upgrades is not going to be very favorable. I heard the HKS CDI ignition is a good upgrade. But the cost/performance again not going to be very favorable. That's why I didn't do any.

But everyone is different and its your cash.

 

[s383mmber1]

The previous owner told me that the wires have been on the car for about 3 years and he doesn't remember ever having to replace the coil, so I figured why not upgrade and my friend has a 6A that he never used and would sell it to me for next to nothing.

If you can get stuff for "next to nothing" then go for it! But other wise, our ignition's are perfectly fine with the BPU mod's you can do to a N/A.

Save the money and invest it in headers or something else worthwhile.

 

[cjsupra90]

if anything, just do the wires. like Ian said, "Even the GE has a pretty stout ignition system make sure it's functioning right and it will be more than enough."

if you did go as far as to add the CDI box, you will need a MSD Tach Adapter #8910 otherwise the car wont run.

 

[TRACKMKIII]

if anything, just do the wires. like Ian said, "Even the GE has a pretty stout ignition system make sure it's functioning right and it will be more than enough."

if you did go as far as to add the CDI box, you will need a MSD Tach Adapter #8910 otherwise the car wont run.

Yeah I had already figured the tach adapter into the budget ($25) As soon as my friend brings in the 6A box I am going to go ahead and order the wires and the coil. My only concern now is how to hook Blaster SS coil in.
I was looking at the stock Coil and got a little confused. There is a metal base that has some wires running to it (Not sure exactly what the base is.) and coil sits on top of that with a connector and two wires. Now my guess is that those wires that run to the connector on the coil are positive and negative, so I will have to cut the connector off and just run the positive and negative wires to the brass terminal on the MSD coil. Correct me if I am wrong please? Here is a picture of the MSD coil if that helps http://www.msdignition.com/images/pn8207.gif
Now the 6A box is a different story because I have never seen one up close and have not idea how it will hook in, I am hoping my friend will be able to walk me through that or I am can find some generic instructions on how to install it properly. Thanks for any help and all the input.

 

[Bishop92t]

Stock ignition has plenty of power. Just make sure the plugs, wires, cap and rotor are in good condition and you're set ignition wise. The biggest gains with a 7mge are had through more efficient intake and exhaust systems, cams, cam gears, etc.

 

[mrnickleye]

I wrote about this just the other week.

Years back I had very good success with the setup you describe, on Ford and Chvey V8's. Instant starting, better gas mileage, more HPs.

So....2 years ago I bought the setup for my '89 N/A. It never worked right. I tried new parts (under warranty). I spent several hours on the phone with the tech support guys. Email too.

(My car ran fine before, and runs great now with stock ignition)

The problems I had with MSD was...
1) Idle would fluctuate 200rpm randomly
2) The tach would be working fine, then jump up & down 2000rpm (not the engine speed) randomly. Very annoying !!
3) The timing floated between 10*-20*, randomly.
4) Slight misfire (heard at the tailpipe).

I was told by the tech support to mount the box and tach adaptor (which, by the way, also controls the fuel injector pulses) inside the car to keep them cool. Under hood temps can cause them to "act up".

The system is still in the car, just not hooked up. I'm too lazy now to crawl under the dash to remove it.:biglaugh: I'll wait until I need to get under there to do some other work.

I run the best aftermarket cap, rotor, plugs and wires, and it runs like new.

PS. I could not tell ANY performance improvement with the MSD.

 

[IJ.]

MrNick: The tach thing is Toyota have a very narrow voltage band that the Tach will work in if you outside of this it bounces all over the shop!

I found this when I was trying to get my Wolf ECU (5v square wave) to talk to the tach and ended up handing the Cluster to an instrument maker and had them work their magic on it.

 

[cjsupra90]

Yeah I had already figured the tach adapter into the budget ($25) As soon as my friend brings in the 6A box I am going to go ahead and order the wires and the coil. My only concern now is how to hook Blaster SS coil in.
I was looking at the stock Coil and got a little confused. There is a metal base that has some wires running to it (Not sure exactly what the base is.) and coil sits on top of that with a connector and two wires. Now my guess is that those wires that run to the connector on the coil are positive and negative, so I will have to cut the connector off and just run the positive and negative wires to the brass terminal on the MSD coil. Correct me if I am wrong please? Here is a picture of the MSD coil if that helps http://www.msdignition.com/images/pn8207.gif
Now the 6A box is a different story because I have never seen one up close and have not idea how it will hook in, I am hoping my friend will be able to walk me through that or I am can find some generic instructions on how to install it properly. Thanks for any help and all the input.

You are correct on the coil connection. just make sure that you have the right ones (- and +) connected to the right locations.

The metal base below the stock coil is the Ignitor and must be retained.

The MSD hookup is very simple and straight forward. If your budy doesn't have the installation manual, you can get it off of MSD's web site.

If you have anyquestion, please feel free to PM me, I use to have a MSD on mine a while back and have installed a few others on supra's among other cars and can explain it in further detail if needed.

 

[ratpick63]

I recently hooked up a MSD 6AL to an old ford 302, it was fairly easy to follow the instructions if you know what wires are what on the car. Get some wire-loom covering (convoluted tubing) and shirink wrap and solder for the splices- at least make sure it looks clean.

 

[Clip]

my ign system is 17 years old and going strong, even after the car was flooded by the previous owner (dont worry, it was rebuilt). only thing i see changing in the near future are the plugs themselves.

 

[TRACKMKIII]

You are correct on the coil connection. just make sure that you have the right ones (- and +) connected to the right locations.

The metal base below the stock coil is the Ignitor and must be retained.

The MSD hookup is very simple and straight forward. If your budy doesn't have the installation manual, you can get it off of MSD's web site.

If you have anyquestion, please feel free to PM me, I use to have a MSD on mine a while back and have installed a few others on supra's among other cars and can explain it in further detail if needed.

What are you feelings toward the MSD setup? How did it work out for your Supra and the others you installed? Did you have any of the problems mentioned above? Also can you tell me which wire is positive and which is negative? Thanks for all of the input and help!!