I have a 69 G.T.O.that I am building for a street/race car. I have a crank trigger and trying to figure out the best way to set advance curve. I went to MSDs web site and that brought up more questions than answeres. I have a 6AL that I can use with a timing computer. That is where the fun starts.Any body have any ideas on the best setup to use. I was going to buy a digital 6, but now not so sure if that is what I need. Thanks Doug

I have a 69 G.T.O.that I am building for a street/race car. I have a crank trigger and trying to figure out the best way to set advance curve. I went to MSDs web site and that brought up more questions than answeres. I have a 6AL that I can use with a timing computer. That is where the fun starts.Any body have any ideas on the best setup to use. I was going to buy a digital 6, but now not so sure if that is what I need. Thanks Doug

lol Goate69: do you know what MSD stands for ??

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by harry k:
lol Goate69: do you know what MSD stands for ?? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OK...I'll bite. What???

Multiple Spark Discharge

MSD

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...icon_smile.gif

I knew that one. I thought that there was another meaning. Thanks

I was trying to look at the whole picture. Crane, Mallory, Jacobs, etc. all have ignition systems I can use. I have always had good luck with MSD, and that is the brand of crank trigger I have.I want to know if anyone else is doing this, what is your setup and want to know the good with the bad. I looked at the MSD 7 and up but that seems more race to me, would it work on the street?Right now it looks like the 6AL with the timing computer. The one with the three adjustments, for when the timing starts, how much timing , and how fast it gets there.The next one up you can plot the curves on the individual cylinders, but I don't have a laptop. They have a programer but that gets back todo I really need all this? Without some kind of timing device, the timing would not move at all Doug

ok guys just little humuor here ,according when Goatey69 mentioned when he checked MSDs website products and said that brought up more questions than answeres, it stands for
"MULTIPLE SALE DISTRIBUTION"
cuse when you buy one box you have to buy following one after one and on on !!!!!
anyways i use em all and they are good products ,with crank trigger ,use the timing computor which gives you a starting retard,then advance at luanch ,and then when you hit high gear will give you retard .

Thanks harry k. I see the humor, now. That is the way I was going to go but wanted other input before I layed down the cash.With a stick car how does the computer know when you are in high gear?Or an auto for that matter. Again thanks for the input. Doug

I run the MSD crank trigger with their programmable timing computer in my 69 GP. First you have to lock out the distributor so it will no longer have any control of timing, then you will set your total timing to whatever your motor likes (mine is 34*). Once that is determined you can then go about setting the total amount of timing in the box (this controls your initial timing), rate of advance (slope) and what RPM you want the advance to begin. It is all there in the docs; I had to read them a few times before I got it all figured out.

Goatey69:for auto trans ,you will hook the high gear retard activation wire to 3rd gear detent on shifter,microswitch type
i would asume same for stick trans also ,havent seen any cars around here in my hometown that race at track with crank trigger and also stick,next time around if i do i will keep an eye on his set up !

Thanks for the info.I am getting a better understanding of whats involved with this setup.I'll have to look at MSDs website again. I was looking into a Tremec 5 spd. so figuring out the high gear activation wire is one more issue to iron out. If I keep the BW ST10 it won't be a big deal. Thanks again Doug

GOATEY69:did you get the crank trigger yet ? if yes,whats your feedback?

69 -- I Have had a fair bit of experience with the MSD programable 7 -- the problem you will run into is that none the setting in these box's has a throttle/ vacum reference-- that I know of -- they are rpm dependent for there timing curve -- that is why a vacuum advance works so well on the street -- it is much more flexible for conditions used on the street ie; high timing at cruise-- drops back at full throttle at low rpm/vac. -- just something to think about -- maybe a good -- well set up HEI -- and forget the crank trigger for street -- unless 90% of the driving is at the track

FYI- the Crane timing module does allow for a vacuum advance function, via an input from a MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor. But the only adjustment provided is a selection between 10 or 15 degrees (crankshaft) of vacuum advance. That's one reason I bought the Crane, since I really want a vacuum advance on the street. Unfortunately, the engine isn't done yet, so I can't comment on the performance of the Crane box.