Trying to solve a problem with a msd 6al (seems to be a popular problem right now). I ran this msd 6al about 6-7 years ago on a stock opti with no problems. I then installed a new msd opti and had issue with the car dying after warming up. Took the opti out and found that it was an early defective unit. Got a new one under warranty from MSD and the car was running GREAT. Figured it would a good time to reinstall the msd box. Well, now the car starts misfiring, pinging, supposedly blew a fuse to the water pump (), and also died. This all occurs after the car warms up. Is the old msd 6al model compatible with the new msd opti or could this be a wiring issue? Can the car be wired incorrectly with the msd box and still start? I figured it could only be wired the correct way to start otherwise it would be a no start condition.

 

The easiest way to check it is to unhook it and see if it runs correct. The wiring can be a problem, so checking it might be a good idea. What kind of mods do you have that requires/recommend the MSD 6al? Just asking because many install and don't really need it.

 

Yea, the msd 6al was removed today and put back to stock and everything runs perfect again. Not sure what to make of it. Gonna try and call MSD on Monday.

94 z28(m6) 77k miles,1LE Elbow,160 t-stat ,moroso cold air intake, hooker long tube headers, 3 inch y-pipe,3.73' gears, weld prostars all the around (15x8 in rear, 15x3.5 up front) 275/50/15 drag radials,PCM4LESS, MSD6AL Ignition, NGK tr-55's,BMR boxed sub frame connectors, BMR lca's, spohn tq arm, free mods,lt4 knock module, Port & Polished heads (with 3 angle valve job), xe230/236, 545in/555in cam, pro mag1.6 roller rockers,.600springs,CSI electric waterpump, t56 with McCloud street twin clutch/McCloud steel flywheel, Air! EGR! AC!

 

It's a common problem. A buddy of mine just built a 600HP LT1 with an MSD ignition. Guess what? Would barely start, hardly idle, and ran terrible. Bypassed the MSD and it runs perfectly.

My current motor doesn't have one either - not for 3 years and it STILL puts down the numbers in my signature without so much as a sneeze.

 

I had the same problem with a 6AL on my car. MSD said that as many as 5deg of ignition is lost in analog box. I've seen this on many race cars that I've wired and a simple timing adjustment cures that problem, but , thats a little more complicated on a opti. The digital 6 plus will compensate for the timing loss and I've had great luck with mine it also has a 2 step and a retard for nitrous.

 

I figured I wasn't alone on this one. Thanks for the responses. It's just strange that it ran so good before but I think it has something to do with that msd opti that is now on there. It has adjustable timing built into it and I have no idea where it's at. Some have said +3 from the factory. That's too many unknown variables for me to to re-install msd 6al and try to start adjusting the timing off of the msd opti. Sounds like a game of russion roulette.

 

I was worried about the preset timing on the MSD and so I took a very long entension on my ratchet and tightened the set screw and backed it out to the correct setting. It was right where it was suppose to be. I would not worry about it and I never heard anyone finding anything more than a tiny bit off and that would not affect anything.