25 SEPTEMBER 2005 : INSTALLED MSD 6A
Installed an MSD 6A with a blaster coil2. This is the basic MSD model. It has helped a lot as the 3S-GE ignition system does need a bit of help with all the mods we've done to the engine.
It has improved response and added a bit at the top end. Probably good for about 3-5 hp. Very much felt.
Anyone trying install this needs to get the 8910EIS tach adaptor. You can try to get around the adaptor but unless you're a bit of a whiz, I would recommend making your life easier. The adaptor is safe, reliable and stable so far.
Using the MSD with a blaster coil eliminates the need for the original coil. But you still need the ignitor signal as the basis to time the MSD electrical pulses. You need to wire that in properly.
Also, it may be a good idea to keep your original coil in the car ready to be wired in just in case the MSD fails (as this has happened to some friends). It's a matter of creating a split from the ignitor signal leading to a plug that can be attached to the original coil in an emergency. I can give you a schematic if you need it. This back-up has saved me once or twice when we were perfecting the wiring on this.
Finally, get good sparkplug wires as well. The amplified current can easily jump gaps and breaks in any old wiring set-up. Needless to say, be careful around these things. The 40,000-50,000 volts it can generate is no exagerration. Just ask my mechanic who has been thrown back a full feet after accidentally touching one of the exposed wires.
By my estimation though, the MSD is an optional mod. If your engine is mostly stock or just in the I/H/E phase, you may gain more with other mods. It does help if you're in turbo or supercharger mode though. By that time, you may want to consider the MSD models with ignition timing control though.
