Just got done doing my H/C/I swap and am looking to upgrade the ignition. The shop I had my work done at recommended the msd digital 6 box over the 6AL, etc. Just wanted to see who was using the digital 6 and how they like it. Already have a MSD Pro Billet distributor on the way.
I have the msd pro billet distributor and the 6al,the only difference is the 6al has changeable plugs for the rev limiter and 6a doesnt have a rev limiter.
I myself would not recommend the Digital 6 box. I am on my 5th unit in 3 years and getting ready to send it back for repair. MSD is not on my favorite Ignition Box list. I myself am going to Mallory but they have been under new ownership since I owned something from them. I don't even see a reason for you needing a Box.
I have a digital 6 and it has been in my car for 7 years now. It works great. I run juice so the timing retards on it are awesome. The rev limiter is a nice touch aswell. It has 2 rev limiters. So you could set one up for a launching rpm. Anyways I have had absolutely zero problems with my MSD stuff. Highly recommend it.
Any MSD product with a manufacturing date of 3/03 or newer seems to have a HIGH Failure rate. My Local car club has seen so many failures and by the time you send the unit back and pay shipping a couple of times your better buying a different brand. Do searches on any car forum and this is a topic of great debate. I myself have sent the Digital 6 back to many times and when you call them they will explain that the component that failed was a part failure and not a installation mistake. No they won't take credit for the defect but they won't blame it on the installer either. I don't need all the features any more so I am going with the Summit Unit which is manufactured by Mallory for $120.
I got a Digital 6 earlier this year, and so far I really like it.
It seemed to have all the features I may want, rev limiter, start retard, high retard for nitrous, tach output, etc. I have not used all of them, but so far it's been great.
I also took the Duraspark box out, and am running it directly from the Duraspark distributor.
Ive had the Digital 6 on my LX for about three years now, all of them trouble free. I also ran one on my GT for several years without any issues. I am satisfied with it, and it seems to be more reliable than the analog MSD boxes of which I have had many faulty ones. I am surprised to hear people having issues with the Digital boxes.
Sorry to thread jack here, but do I need an upgraded ignition for my set-up. I was told on here that the stock ignition was good for upwards to 400hp.
Is that in relation to just street driving?
How about if your car is used mainly for drag racing, and your launching at 4000 rpms hooking hard on slicks. I know they reccomend an ignition upgrade for the strain of towing, I would think that a hard launch on slicks would be a similair load on the ignition.
Would it be worth it to purchase an aftermarket ignition for strip use in my case?
I would hate t0 throw my money away if I didn't need to.
If I was to purchase an ignition, I would be looking for something with a launch controller, like the MSD6al with a 2-step.
Who makes the best bang for the buck?
Thanks!
1993 GT Mustang / Ford Racing GT-40 Crate Motor B-303 Cam / 24 lb. Injectors / Stock Ignition / MSD EFI Blaster Coil / Edelbrock 5.0 Upper and Lower Intake with BBK Phelonic Spacer / Professional Products 70mm Throttle Body / C&L C.A.I. w/76mm MAF / Stock Air Box w/K&N Panel Filter / Holley Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator / Electric Fan / BBK Underdrive Pulley's / A.C. Removed / BBK Short Headers / Flowmaster Exhaust / Tremec T-5Z / B&M Short Throw Shifter / Alum. Driveshaft / 3.73 Gears / Eaton H.D. Posi / Moser 31 Spline Axles/ Subframe Connectors / Line Lock / Driveshaft Loop / B&M Short Throw Shifter / BMR Upper and Lower Control Arms / Lakewood Adjustable Drag Shocks/ Holley 190 lph Fuel Pump /
As much as I like my Digital 6, I would say that Old Paint has run into the 12's and done a couple dozen 7 sec eigth mile nitrous runs using it's 1980 Capri Duraspark box and a $10 Duraspark Distributor I got used at a FFW in 92. I think the box was failing, because hot starts were a problem lately.
So far the only indication of the Digital 6 performing better was a 7.87 all motor eigth mile with two people in the car.
It starts much easier, and idles better, the tach and shift light work much better than with the original stuff.
I have had my Digital 6+ for 5 years now, with out a single glitch. The key to having any thing like this last, is keeping it cool, dry, and grounded good. I put mine inside where the glove box use to be.
I am making over 700 HP, and it fires it just fine.