Does the MSD unit appear to provide any benefit in higher RPMs over a stocker? I've always heard that unless you remove the high voltage side from the opti, they tend to have a short life at anything at or above 7000rpm.

 

Just to clear something up first... it was DynOtech that originally made the Dynaspark, but they have since sold the rights to it, so its simply a Dynaspark, as DynOtech isn't involved anymore.

The Dynaspark uses factory-style electronics where MSD uses their own parts. The MSD is sealed just like the Dynaspark, so there doesn't appear to be any difference there. An advantage to the MSD is that it has a timing adjustment... their website says +/- 5*, but the instructions I got say +/- 7*. I won't be using this feature as of now, as I have custom tuning, and it's a blower car.

 

Right now it only makes 6 psi, and I rev it to about 6300.

 

Yes, it does. http://www.msdignition.com/2006/06-4.htm

 

How does that timing adjustment work?

Does MSD tell you where to set it at on a stock car?

 

It is set to stock specs from the factory. It's adjusted by the screw by where the harness comes out of the body.

 

Thanks for that - seriously -- I haven't done ANY reading on optis AT ALL because it will cause mine to fail - I've just seen the names DynaXXXX tossed out there before and wasn't sure which on to use.

 

yes they do, i have one as well and i must say fine, fine piece. no troubles yet.

 

I saw a cut-away at the MSD booth at Heartland Park Topeka over the weekend, and I must say after seeing the guts of one in person, I will be buying one for sure I looks alot better built than a GM opti. I took some pics, but they are from my phone, so they are kinda crappy. Not to mention small, but thats all I had so here goes...

 

Well, I finally got the car rolling after the install. Overall, it's at least as good as stock, as the car feels the same as it did before I put it on. Bolts right on, no issues at all with that part.

The adjustment screw is fairly easy to get to with a 6" extension and a swivel socket.

I did end up taking it completely apart, the parts inside are top-notch. It has MSD's own optical pickup in it, and the trigger wheel looks similar to factory, but it's probably MSD's own.

The bearing it rides on is good quality, ABSOLUTELY no side-to-side play like a new factory one.

I'll be sure to keep everyone updated if I have any issues with it!

 

They seem to be pretty good against water. I just got mine installed in my 93Z and I had coolant leak down all over it when we were refilling the radiator...anyways it didn't stumble a bit and runs great. same goes for the rain here in the pacific NW, it rains alot and now I can actually 'drive' the car in the rain without it running like a POS or stalling out completly, like my last two GM units did. worth every penny of the $499.88 i paid for it.

 

Thats awesome, now I just hope my GM one doesnt die before I save up for the MSD.

 

Thanks for keeping us updated Josh. You still running the same bacis combo 306 and GTP heads?

 

CC306, yes. GTP heads, no, never had those. I've still got my stock heads that have been mildly hand ported with bigger stainless valves.

 

Did you ever figure out how to adjust the timing, in other words, which way retards it and which way advances it? Mine was not two turns out when I got it, it was only one. It's very easy to adjust with everything on and the engine running, just use a long extension, U-joint and 1/2" socket.