hey guys what does everyone prefer and why? i know the diffrence in price is minimal so that does not matter. i plan on ignition module, coil and distributer also wires. i will be running a 331 with a powerdyne and a 9lb pulley and possibly 35 to 50 shot to cool the intake charge cuz i most likely wont have an intercooler. plus it will gain points at the shows. i appreciate any help. my car is an 87 notch.
MSD or CRANE ignition????
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I have similar setup with a 9 pound powerdyne, usual bolt-ons, and am using the crane ignition with the boost retard. I have been very happy with the whole setup. It is particularly easy to set your rev-limit with the crane, just adjust two knobs on the unit for any rev limit you want (in 100 rpm increments).
408stroker5.0
The world would be a better place if all males jus
Not to bad mouth MSD, but to keep it simple the MSD 6 Series boxes are CRAP. They are OLD technology, and are VERY unreliable. When it come's to power, they are behind as well. I own a small performance shop, and I've sold my fair share of MSD boxe's and 3/4's of them end up coming back on warranty or for something else. I learned my lesson as well when I went through 3 MSD 6AL's in one year. Crane make's the best ignition out there right now with there 6 Series digital igniton. I've been using the Crane box and PS-92 coil for year's and have never had a problem. I just recently purchased there new Elec. Distributor(Unbelievable Product) as well for my 408 and I love it. I get alot of customer's coming in for an MSD 6 box, but they usually end up walking out with a Crane once I'm through with them. Spend a bit more money were it count's and hook yourself up with a Crane HI-6. (Get the one with boost retard as you are planning on a blower) I don't believe Crane make's a distributor for F/I 5.0's so go with an MSD billet unit I guess. Check out Mallory, I've sold a couple of those and they seemed pretty decent as well. Overall MSD is a great company, but stay away from there CD Ignition boxes. If you don't you will regret it in the long run. And you know, alot of people will reply to this post with, "I've never had problem's with mine,"...... well just wait a bit longer and see, either that or you just got lucky.
QDRHRSE
New Member
I had been using the MSD stuff for over a decade until I started buying the Crane boxes. Its hard to beat a HI6 or digital 6...whatever they call em'. The Crane units are better in every aspect- performance, reliability, and fit & finish. I don't think buying an MSD 6a,6al, or 6T is a bad idea....buying a HI6 is a better idea. Due to past bad experiences, I do not buy anything Mallory. They should call their distibutors "Uni-Dark" - they suck ass.
stangboy
Founding Member
408stroker5.0 said:
What about the MSD digital 6 plus? Thats the one I've been planning on getting. I already have the MSD Pro Billet Dist. and MSD Balster TFI coil.
408stroker5.0
The world would be a better place if all males jus
The MSD Digital 6 is defenitly way better than the old CD style MSD 6 Series boxes, and if your stuck on going with an all MSD setup than ya I would recomend there digital 6. But I would still go with Crane's HI-6 as it is an overall better ignition box. It will work fine with an MSD coil & distributor if your worried about the two not working together.
Blk91stang
Member
Have the MSD 6AL on 3 different cars and had no problems with any of them. I called MSD and they said when people complain about their box not working, 99% of the time they dont have a good ground so maybe that is why people are having these problems. Never used Crane but looks like a good ignition. Mostly all top fuel funny cars use MSD ignition.. how bad could MSD really be?
I'm a fan of both but it seems as though MSD has the philosophy of "if it isn't broke don't fix it". They keep going what works and they don't release a lot of advanced technology. I would buy MSD without a hitch because it does work, but crane makes some very nicely-equipped features on thier boxes. However, those blaster coils MSD makes are some huge sparking sob's 
Not to bash on MSD either, (I have a 6A box on my car) but Nascar uses them too and I can't tell ya how many times I have been pissed of when the # 6 car has ignition problems. It's not only him, but all of them use MSD. Theres been several failures in the past and they have to switch to a backup box. Just doesn't make since to keep using something that you can't rely on. I plan on going w/Crane when I get serious about moding my car. The only reason I'm using MSD now is because it was free basicly.
Just my .02 cents.
Just my .02 cents.
408stroker5.0
The world would be a better place if all males jus
Of course MSD is going to tell you that..... It's a simple fact the MSD CD 6 Series boxe's are very old technology and are thus unreliable and behind in performance when compared to the new ignition boxes out there. Yes lot's of NHRA Funny Car guy's use MSD product's like the 7 & 8 Series boxes and they work great, but were talking the Capactive Discharge MSD 6A, 6AL etc. boxes here. It's pretty hard to screw up wiring an MSD 6 Box unless your an idiot. There fairly easy install. The 6 Boxes are crap and it's that simple man, otherwise most of MSD's other product's are great.
RaSMG
Founding Member
the crane hi-6 series is fully digital, surface mounted, weatherproof, just overall better quality. look at the crane website for more info and pics comparing the two. not to mention that the crane setup with thir lx-92 coil supposedly produces twice as much spark as the msd setup and coil. i have a crane hi-6 and lx-92 coil, and i love it. easy to install, easy adjustability(no stupid pills), definitely made better, and i got it for less money!
408stroker5.0
The world would be a better place if all males jus
Funny thing is the MSD 6A dosn't even produce enough power to run Crane's PS-92 Coil. Crane's HI-6 has no problem.
04sleeper
Founding Member
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