Brand new MSD 6AL may be a dud.

[hybrid]

I did have that issue with a mates car. His started to misfire after about 20 degrees advance.

How did you phase the distributor?
20BTC the rotor and post line up?

[boofhead]

Hybrid is right - in your case Luke with your small diameter TFI it might be more sensitive to phasing the timing. I tried playing with that on mine and really no advantage or disadvantage as I play around. I did discover the Ford TFI toothed plate did not work with the MSD distributor - material not compatible though I did not go into it details as to why. If you need a hand just get in touch.

[lukep6470]

Yep I stabbed it so the rotor lines up with the post at 20btdc so in theory if I advance my timing at idle it should smooth out. I'm running a customised small cap and rotor on my TFI so this could well be the problem.

[hybrid]

Ok, if that works and you think it's jumping posts, maybe you can thin out the contact point on the rotor a bit.

[Shaunp]

Drill some small holes in the cap, allows fresh air and reduces the ionisation, can help with cross fireing

[lukep6470]

So I tried it today and no spark. Since it is dead I can get it repaired under warranty.

[boofhead]

Excellent outcome - the worst is if it is intermittent fault.

[lukep6470]

So they have offered refund or exchange for a different unit. The options are:

MSD-5520 and MSD-6425. We also offer a Summit substitute SUM-850610 and Mallory MAA-6853M.

Which would be the better performance/reliability option?

[hybrid]

I would actually consider the street fire if you're using it on the Megasquirt because it's not digital.

[boofhead]

Hybrids point is important.

Note: The limiter is not something that applies as MS Extra has limiting functionality built into the EFI ECU so if you were paying the extra for the limiting then it is money that could be used somewhere else.

[boofhead]

Actually I can see it is easy to redirect the ignition output to a logic output line so driving a digital box is no problem at all. Use WLED (aka SPKC) instead of SPKA

Documented here.

http://www.msextra.com/doc/general/sparkout-us3.html

It is great that the Microsquirt has the logic outputs already wired into the box.

So a 6A Digital MSD 6201 would be fine.

[lukep6470]

Just an update. I returned the MSD and got a full refund from Summit. I also just found the Accel 300+ unit cheap so I am going to give that a go.

[boofhead]

Cool - I am interested in the result. Keep us informed.

BTW: Looking forward to reading the future engine build thread.

[Shaunp]

I had one of those on a car, was in the draw till recently, gave it a way.