Is the MSD HEI Ignition Module Worth the Money?

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I’m Upgrading the 1981 Monte Carlo’s ignition with the MSD 83647! I'll walk you through how to replace the original HEI ignition module in a GM HEI distributor. Some of the benefits of the MSD ignition module include improved performance and reliability. This is going to be a game changing upgrade for keeping this car reliable. The MSD ignition module offers several benefits, including increased spark energy, improved throttle response, better fuel efficiency, and offers a built in Rev limiter. Additionally, it provides a more consistent and reliable ignition system, which can lead to smoother engine performance and reduced maintenance time. By upgrading to the MSD ignition module, you can enhance your vehicle's overall performance and reliability.
Here’s a link to get one for your car: jegs.ork2.net/PyVZEM
The MSD Ignition Module is a direct bolt in that requires no real modification to your distributor. It bolts in place of the original HEI ignition module and looks identical when the distributor cap is back on.
To start out, I’ll take the distributor cap off and disconnect the wires to the coil. Next is the rotor, 2 screws and it’s off. A nice thing about the HEI is that the rotor is indexed so that it can only go on one way. Once the rotor is removed there are 3 screws, 2 hold the module and 1 holds an electrical noise filter. You may need to bump the starter to move the rotor mounting tabs out of the way to get the module out. Once the old one is out, the new one mounts using the same 2 screws with heat paste on the bottom and connects to the magnetic pickup like the original unit. The third screw holds a ground to the inside of the distributor's body.
Put the rotor and cap back on and connect the wiring up to the coil like it did with the original parts. There are 2 extra wires for this install. One is a ground that needs to go to a good ground. The other is a combination tach signal wire and rev limiter signal wire. The instructions go into how to hook up a tachometer and set the rev limiter.
The result is a more reliable ignition system that will rev better and be more reliable that the original parts!
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5 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 58

@mikef-gi2dg Месяц назад

MSD module update. Well it finally happened, the DREAM CRUISE Curse finally got me again. A week or so after the cruise, on and off every few years, something electrical would fail on my car. It's been a while but my MSD module finally quit. I went to start it up no dice. I had a second one in my road kit and I installed it and boom up and running. I purchased both about a year after they were introduced, that had to be mid 90's I think, and many thousands of street, highway, and strip miles. I have built my own engine run stand, and I am going to test the stock type modules, I have, but I am also going to got back to a 6a type of box and move the electronics inside and out of the heat. Thanks for reading.

@edwardperez7183 Год назад

I had three ignition modules go out. I decided to try the msd digital ignition and it worked! I almost went old school...switching over to points. I was that close to switching...

@SnowFamilyRacing Год назад

You're not alone! The current crop of HEI modules is really disappointing. This represents a good intermediate step between what should be a good replacement and a CD ignition or other similar piece. The biggest advantage here is the simplicity. No extra wiring is required, and it just works.

@jdgreen214 8 месяцев назад

I was having the issue in my gmc typhoon. I have went through about 10 icm. I'm currently getting a maxxecu conversion on my typhoon and we're going with a holley dual sync distributor to eliminate this issue once and for all. Also getting a complete rewire of the truck

@Anthony-ue4zm 3 месяца назад

i changed 3 brand new ones from auto zone and my last replacement is worst than last one. I will try this one

@walkingman9171 6 месяцев назад

Those pickup coil wires were pretty common for breakage from the vacuum advance constantly working the wires back and forth.

@mikef-gi2dg 8 месяцев назад

I have has 2 MSD modules, I purchased them about 1 and 2 years after they were introduced. They both have been in many different engines, with many many miles and passes down the strip. They work with out a hitch. I have done several back to back tests over the years, between stock modules, MSD module, and my MSD-6AL. The MSD module is on average .011 faster than stock, and within .002/.003 of my 6AL. I installed another engine a while back and kept the module, I haven't put the 6AL back in, on my street cars.

@SnowFamilyRacing 8 месяцев назад

Those are the gains I'd expect from the MSD module. I've never tried, mostly because an original would die and get replaced nowhere near a drag strip. They're a good module that has been trouble free in that Monte Carlo.

@mikef-gi2dg 8 месяцев назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing If you have a MSD 6x type of ignition box, at least carry one as a HEI spare, it could save you bacon, on the road.

@SnowFamilyRacing 8 месяцев назад

I've got one with my El Camino as a back up.

@mikef-gi2dg 8 месяцев назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing My MAN...that's the ticket!!! I guess I should look at other Ignition modules, so my spark isn't in one basket. but the spark basket is working. Maybe other will chime in on what works good for them.

@joshr1801 4 месяца назад

Had 1 and will not own another, blew the coil apart during a 4.5hr car drive (i drove locally never had a problem), could never get the rev limiter to work. The coil ordeal cost me a tow bill and issues at 9:00 pm. If you run one, i recommend keeping a coil, a good stock module and harness in the car as back up. I had to round this up on the road next day. Granted this was when msd was msd, maybe things got better

@SnowFamilyRacing 4 месяца назад

Honestly, this is the first catastrophic failure of this that I've heard. I've had literally hundreds of drag strip passes and many street miles with one of these.

@shaun4bigblocks993 3 месяца назад

The MSD is made in China. Do what the rest of us old timers do and stick with one authentic original "lead based" GM module for the HEI and one for the glove box. It sucks, I only watched this for info on the rev limiter but I guess that was to much work for this guy...

@SnowFamilyRacing 3 месяца назад

Not everyone has access to a dwindling stack of NOS original modules. The sad fact is that just about everything, especially electronic in naturen is made overseas. I didn't hook up the Rev limiter for 2 reasons, I was under a time crunch, and it wasn't going to be needed on this car. It's not my car, and it never sees any real RPM unless I'm the one driving it. It's done at around 4500, and it'll hit valve float before it goes high enough to hurt anything. The instructions are pretty clear about how to set it up.

@Anthony-ue4zm 3 месяца назад

I replaced my auto zone Ignition Module on my El Camino 3 times in 12 months. I think I will try this next, Im tried of getting stranded lol

@SnowFamilyRacing 3 месяца назад

The MSD module has been absolutely trouble-free in that Monte Carlo since I put it in. I'm finding that Napa is a better source for OE style electrical components, but that's no guarantee they'll live long. I've had new Napa components fail far too early. The MSD is a great choice and definitely worth the money and peace of mind to never mess with it again.

@Anthony-ue4zm 3 месяца назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing Think you sold me. Will give it a shot. I like how the harness and module are all in one on the MSD.

@SnowFamilyRacing 3 месяца назад

It's easy and just goes in. It's got instructions, and you've got this video to help.

@lesliemclean4381 2 месяца назад

I just purchase an msd 8401 coil cap with the spark plug looking device on it to replace my gm oldsmobile hei distributor's internal coil to an external 12 volt oil filled coil.I got stuck a few times out of no where.One thing about my 1980 oldsmobile delta 88 is, when it runs it runs.But once in a blue moon the car 's engine just quits. I read where 99% of the time the epoxy layered coil gradually from heat dissolves causing the layer of winding separated by the epoxy to touch causing more resistance in the coil slowly killing the ignition module.So if you change the module and not the coil as well , if the coil was what destroyed the module in the first place ,why wouldn't it destroy a new replacement module in minutes.Especially if the coil is at that stage for the module to burn out.Reguardles of any heat sink gel under the module. I heard a lot of people have done this with no problems .So l'm giving it a try.And looking at your modification as perhaps if needed the next step.Damnskippy!

@diesel1586 2 месяца назад

Bro I gotta tell ya, so I got an old squarebody Chevy, ‘85, and it’s just missing a little something and I’m not big on understanding the whole thing about what I would call upgraded ignitions so I punched this up and it was great, so I’m gonna try this out, so thanks for doing this

@SnowFamilyRacing 2 месяца назад

I totally understand! There's a lot of misinformation around upgrades, my intent is to show the best bang for the buck, what can be done, and what makes sense. I've played with stock stuff, through my MSD ignition boxes and there is definitely a place for each one. Quick word of caution, with the '85 you will want to know if you have the computer controlled ignition and carburetor. If you do, this part will not do any good since it's not compatible with the computer controlled stuff. I think '85 may be one of the last years of the non-computer stuff for GM trucks, don't quote me on that year I'm working from memory. Best of luck with the squarebody! I'm a fan of the '80's GM stuff!

@pauljanssen7594 11 месяцев назад

One has retired mechanic cheap or bad spark plug wires for burnout a module. The MSG mop module is a good choice, it has rev limiter adjustments to it.

@mikef-gi2dg 3 месяца назад

By the way...make sure you use the low resistance rotor button. If your car sees regular street or highway duty, the stock rotor button WILL melt the distributor cap.

@SnowFamilyRacing 3 месяца назад

Good point, especially with a higher powered coil. MSD does have some guidance on which button to use in what application.

@mikef-gi2dg 3 месяца назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing First time I dismissed the guidance, never again.

@grabasandwich 2 месяца назад

Have you seen videos of guys using Progression Ignition? Looks like a cool idea, although I've seen 2 fairly big RU-vidrs have the coil fail, but apparently the company sourced them from someone else.

@SnowFamilyRacing 2 месяца назад

I have heard of them, I've visited their website, but I have not watched any videos on it. It looks like a good idea, I'm genuinely curious about how well they hold up long term. I'm currently in a phase of if it's not broke, I don't need to fix it. My El Camino currently has the timing locked out at 36 degrees, and my everything is running fine, so I don't have a big reason to make a switch.

@joe-hp4nk Год назад

Mom want's a 3/4 cam and headers.

@SnowFamilyRacing Год назад

I'd be more than happy to do that! The problem is that the classic 3/4 cam isn't big enough!

@joe-hp4nk Год назад

A full race may be too much for mom. But hey, go mom go.@@SnowFamilyRacing

@SnowFamilyRacing Год назад

I'm a cam specs kinda guy, I've never been into the 3/4 or whatever the trendy designation is.

@joe-hp4nk Год назад

Stock cam - .350 -.400 lift, 200 - 220 duration at .050. 1/2 cam - .400.500, 220 - 230. 3/4 cam - .500 - .600, 230 - 240. Full cam .600+ .240+. It's old school back in the day. Today's cams are way more detailed.@@SnowFamilyRacing

@wacoldestv1704 9 месяцев назад

Fixing to try this method, tomorrow morning if the weather permits. Damn misfires driving me crazy.

@SnowFamilyRacing 9 месяцев назад

Before I swapped to a MSD box in my El Camino, I ran the MSD module and it performed great. I won a lot of events and a couple track championships with that ignition. After 2 failures in a week, I put that in that Monte, which belongs to my mom, and it's been solid ever since.

@wacoldestv1704 9 месяцев назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing that's some valuable information man! You are a great contribution to the gearheads out here lost in the sauce. Thank you 🙏

@SnowFamilyRacing 9 месяцев назад

That's one of my goals, to bring this information to you, and to my audience in a way that's easy to understand. I also want to keep this info alive. That way, we can keep these cars alive! I'm 36, I learned from my dad and my Auto Shop teacher, who was a dealer tech in the 80's. I have info and a way to get it out in the world where it can be found.

@wacoldestv1704 9 месяцев назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing awesome, your blessed! I subbed in !!!!

@wacoldestv1704 8 месяцев назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing No luck for me today. Monte still stalls in drive or reverse. Starter makes noise as well. I put a AC delco Hei in there. No dice. Could it be the whole dang shaft being fowled?

@eduardoperez7797 10 месяцев назад

Can you use an MSD ignition box with that module?

@SnowFamilyRacing 10 месяцев назад

No need. The module would get removed and the box would use the magnetic pickup in the distributor.

@eduardoperez7797 10 месяцев назад

@@SnowFamilyRacing did not know that thanks

@scottalvarez8870 Год назад

My 383 Stroker has a misfire whether on primaries or secondaries that’s really annoying. I’ve eliminated fuel or compression issues and don’t to bother you with everything I’ve done to get me to this point. It has an Accel distributor and brand new HEI rotor, cap and coil, new plugs and plug wires. Is it time to try this MSD module ?

@SnowFamilyRacing Год назад

Is it consistent on missing the same cylinder? If it's consistent then it could be something like a mag pick up. There's a chance that the module could be to blame. Realistically, I'd be looking at swapping distributors just to see what happens at this point.

@hackitgarage6503 18 дней назад

Was thinking about buying a cheap hei i was wondering if i could just swap in a name brand module as they are known to fail almost out of the box

@SnowFamilyRacing 18 дней назад

That's probably a cost effective way to get a project running. MSD has their street fire line, which is more budget friendly. I can't speak to the module quality as it's not the module used in this video.

@dalehess6265 9 месяцев назад

I subscribed and like you and your channel.

@SnowFamilyRacing 9 месяцев назад

Thank you so much for your support! I really appreciate it.

@regdor8187 5 месяцев назад

That MSD module needs some conformal coating, a Common coating to protect from environmental elements, missing that, is is considered sub standard.....Is it there or no ???

@SnowFamilyRacing 5 месяцев назад

The module is under the cap, so it's is pretty well protected. It's got a clear coat on it, it should not be an issue.

@AlexSanchez-zy4yk Месяц назад

Does the module still work?

@SnowFamilyRacing Месяц назад

Still going and getting driven several times each week. I was confident enough to put it in my mom's car, and it hasn't let her down! It's been perfectly reliable.