Interior mounting locations for MSD box

pyroman · Mar 17, 2009

Ok, please don't crucify me for this as I can't really find anything through searching although I'm sure there are lotsa threads on MSD box mounting.

So if everyone is cool, I'll proceed with my question.

I have a whole MSD setup ready to be installed but what is holding me up is mounting the box. I have a 67 with the deluxe interior, that's the center console and stuff. Basically, I don't really like the look of the box in the engine bay (just personal taste). Therefore I'm considering interior mounting as my primary option (barring other suggestions). Just upon first glance, there isn't much obvious room for the box to sit. I sort of like the passenger kick panel, but I'm afraid of cowl leak. I also tried fitting it in the center of the dash, behind the center console, but it's hitting the heater box on the driver's side.

I have a coupe of ideas but I don't want to start cutting up my interior until I'm 100% sure it's a good location. Anyone have some ingenious ideas?

golf4283 · Mar 18, 2009

Here's what I did in my '66.

I relocated the battery to the trunk and placed the box on the inside of the front radiator support. You can't even see it's there unless you peer over and look back at it. Maybe look into doing that. It will still be in the engine bay but will be out of sight.

Plus the benefits of moving the battery to the trunk to spread weight better help too. I'll snap a couple pics if you're interested.

-Dan

Shakin66 · Mar 18, 2009

I installed my Digital 7 and MAP sensor directly under the ash tray on a thick sheet of plexiglas pop riveted into place. That way I can see the wires even whens its mounted. I dont know about fittment on a 67 but your box is smaller than mine so theres an idea to consider.
View attachment 265968
I couldnt get any desent pics of it mounted but if you want some let me know and I'll take some tonight.

pyroman · Mar 18, 2009

golf4283 said:
Here's what I did in my '66.

I relocated the battery to the trunk and placed the box on the inside of the front radiator support. You can't even see it's there unless you peer over and look back at it. Maybe look into doing that. It will still be in the engine bay but will be out of sight.

Plus the benefits of moving the battery to the trunk to spread weight better help too. I'll snap a couple pics if you're interested.

-Dan

I'm considering doing that as well. A friend of mine suggested relocating the battery to the trunk and using a faux battery box to put all my electronics in. I'm not sure I want to got that far. As far relocating the battery goes, are there any "kits" to do it? What kind of cable did you run, 0 gauge?

Shakin66 said:
I installed my Digital 7 and MAP sensor directly under the ash tray on a thick sheet of plexiglas pop riveted into place. That way I can see the wires even whens its mounted. I dont know about fittment on a 67 but your box is smaller than mine so theres an idea to consider.
View attachment 265966
I couldnt get any desent pics of it mounted but if you want some let me know and I'll take some tonight.

Yea those pics would be great if you don't mind!

daddy oth · Mar 18, 2009

i made my mounting bracket from 16ga.plate 4x12.5 weld L bracket on the back plate and used an existing holes from the heater motor.

msd box and coil inside

golf4283 · Mar 18, 2009

Summit SUM-G1231-K - Summit® Premium Battery Relocation Kits - summitracing.com

This is the one I'm using. It's arriving today so I can snap some pics of the completed product if you would like.

pyroman · Mar 18, 2009

daddy oth said:
i made my mounting bracket from 16ga.plate 4x12.5 weld L bracket on the back plate and used an existing holes from the heater motor.

msd box and coil inside

I'm sorry, I'm not sure I'm completely understanding your post. You've made a bracket for the MSD box using L bracket steel and mounted it where the blower motor was? So you've done a heater delete? Why do you have your coil mounted inside the car?

golf4283 said:
Summit SUM-G1231-K - Summit® Premium Battery Relocation Kits - summitracing.com

This is the one I'm using. It's arriving today so I can snap some pics of the completed product if you would like.

Yea if you wouldn't mind that would be great. Did you check the corner weights of the car to see where the best location in the trunck would be or are you just putting it in the most convenient place?

golf4283 · Mar 18, 2009

I'm just gonna put it as far rear as I can. I'm making a trunk liner from a thin piece of plywood for a bit more finished of a look and the battery box will be as close to the tail panel as possible I'm thinking.

HookandLadder · Mar 18, 2009

Remove the glove box innards and make a plate to mount everything where the box section used to be. Use the glove box as an access cover...nice one at that. You will need to route the wires through the firewall, but it looks good, is hidden and will be out of the heat.

SadbutTrue · Mar 18, 2009

out of curiousity... i mounted my MSD on my shock tower, not too far from my headers etc... where it no doubt gets pretty hot. is that the reason you guys are installing it at random places in the car? and could this be a reason why my MSD may (not sure theres anything wrong with it yet) have gone bad, causing starting/timing issues?

pyroman · Mar 18, 2009

SadbutTrue said:
out of curiousity... i mounted my MSD on my shock tower, not too far from my headers etc... where it no doubt gets pretty hot. is that the reason you guys are installing it at random places in the car? and could this be a reason why my MSD may (not sure theres anything wrong with it yet) have gone bad, causing starting/timing issues?

Well I'm not that experienced with them just yet but from what I've learned it's best to keep them away from heat, so it could be contributing to your problems. As far as I'm concerned though, its mainly aesthetics.

About the glove box mounting, is there enough space around the box for adequate ventilation? I've heard that you should allow 1" of space around each side for adequate cooling, is that generally true? Has anyone ever had issues with the box overheating in confined areas.

HookandLadder · Mar 18, 2009

If it is inside the car it's usually not an issue. The MSD guideline is for under hood mounting when the heat is more severe.

brianj5600 · Mar 19, 2009

Here is mine. It does not leave much room for putting things. Time slips fit good.

SNAKEPILOT · Mar 19, 2009

pyroman said:
I don't really like the look of the box in the engine bay (just personal taste).

Is it the color? The red MSD box looked out of place in my engine compartment so I painted it black.

View attachment 265838

Calponycarsmike · Mar 19, 2009

Anyone ever mount one behind the head lamp under the fender? If you mount it as far forward to the headlamp bucket as you can get it and make a plastic or rubber fender shield it should be very weather proof, out of site, and located close to the electrical systems you need on the passenger side.

I have never done one, but there is a ton of space under those big fenders.

pyroman · Mar 20, 2009

Well I mocked mine up today, what do you think?

Can you tell how I did it?

blown65 · Mar 20, 2009

golf4283 said:
Here's what I did in my '66.

I relocated the battery to the trunk and placed the box on the inside of the front radiator support. You can't even see it's there unless you peer over and look back at it. Maybe look into doing that. It will still be in the engine bay but will be out of sight.

Plus the benefits of moving the battery to the trunk to spread weight better help too. I'll snap a couple pics if you're interested.

-Dan

Thats where mine is too, have my two step mounted right by it. Coil on the shock tower.

pyroman · Mar 20, 2009

What's the advantage of mounting the coil to the shock tower (chassis), better ground?

blown65 · Mar 20, 2009

pyroman said:
What's the advantage of mounting the coil to the shock tower (chassis), better ground?

Got me, just where its always been. I dont like them on the engine because of heat, personally feel it shortens the life of them but maybe not. Its been there 20 yrs, its staying. heh

HookandLadder · Mar 20, 2009

Closer to the dizzy. Less parasitic loss through the coil wire.

Oh yeah... looks good.

Interior mounting locations for MSD box

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