Upgrading Ignition on Turbo KA

[cnichols]

I've currently got the HKS TwinPower ignition on my KA, but was looking at getting an MSD 7 series instead because it offers a couple of nice options that I wouldn't mind having.

Anyone have any experience with this...and is there any way to upgrade our coil since it's built into our distributor or to get a better distributor for that matter and run a separate coil (MSD 8 comes with its own I believe).

[WDRacing]

Out of pure curiosity, what options do you want? I was reading an article about ignition systems just the other day. But I get 15-20 car mags a month, so I'll need to find the article. It was comparing MSD with another brand. The other brand beat out MSD in every comparison.

I'll look into it...

WD

[cnichols]

But was it the 6 series that was beat out, or the 7 series...I am leaning towards the 7AL-3 which looks to be a pretty nice ignition and is labeled a professional race ignition (the gold ones, not the red that everyone's got).

Thanks for any info you can find.

[Red Lightning]

How much power will better ingnition make? Is it worth it to upgrade? Thanks.

[C-Kwik]

Depends how much misfire you get. Typically, ignition systems only help when an engine misfires a lot from a weak or inadequate ignition system. Motors seeing boost or NOS have more resitance between the spark plug gap and end up misfiring at some point. There is only so much you can close the gap on a plug. Increasing the strength of the spark will help minimize misfire and allow the motor to make more power. But if misfire is minimal, you probably won't gain much.

[WDRacing]

I found another article on the MSD-7AL-2 and -3. I like the 7AL-3 series myself.

Then while I was browsing through one of my Drag Racing mags I found an article on the new MSD HVCII Coil. It works inconjunction with the 7AL series. That is a very nice coil, they got 8hp instantly on the dyno by simply swapping that coil for there other MSD super coil. That was done by the AC Delco Pro Drag team. SO I'm fairly confident in there results.They went as far as to put the old Coil back on, only to lose that 8hp.

Sounds like what I'll be using...

WD

[WDRacing]

How much power will better ingnition make? Is it worth it to upgrade? Thanks.

An ignition with a super coil will not only improve the chances for your engine to make power, it will also get better gas mileage and run better in every regime. From Idle to 12000 rpm drag runs. It simply makes the entire combustion process more complete. Ignition is always a worth while modification.

WD

[cnichols]

I'm wanting to install a separate MSD coil and MSD 7AL-2 or 3, but I was wondering what the easiest way to do this would be.

Does the DE S13 distributor not have the built-in coil? If not, can I use the distributor from the S13 on my S14?

[95_240sx]

Does anyone have any experience with the MSD ignition with the Boost restard feature. You set the knob for say, 2 degrees, and it will retard the timing 2 degrees for every psi of boost. The guys building my engine give it negative reviews, but they are more into the blown V8 stuff.

Oh, and if anyone cares, My engine is 3 weeks from being done, I am waiting on my w2's to come in and I can pay off the labor bill. Who needs a budget?

Rick

[Projex240]

I just got my wifes car out of the body shop. Shes kinda jealous that i spend all of my money on my car...so I figured it would be fair if we invested some time and money her ride. I gave her my daily driver, and we got it painted with a hood and a bomex eyelid. A jwt ecu, and a 75 shot of nitrous. Anyway, we are putting an msd 6a in her car. But heres the problem. I have only installed these things in s13 cars(with external coils) or s14's with s13 ecus and distributors. How exactly is this done on an s14 with an internal coils? I have the wiring diagram from msd...but i am not good at all reading electrical wiring diagrams.

anybody done these befroe?