Is there a Window Switch with timing retard available, or should I get an aftermarket ignition box, and run the window switch seperate?

Also, will an aftermarket ignition box increase the wear on the high voltage side of the Opti?

I'm currently running all stock ignition with my 100HP shot of nitrous, but want to install a window switch, and would like to leave my tune set for NA running, and let either the window switch or an ignition box pull timing while spraying.

I've heard that the digital aftermarket ignitions aren't as hard on the Opti as the others are, is that true?

If the aftermarket boxes are harder on the Opti (due to the multi-spark stuff I assume), would sticking with the stock coil help to alleviate that damage?

 

The Mallory HyFire VI 685 has rev control, retard control and window switch all in the one digital ignition. I've always ran MSD and have the std 6AL box with separate window switch, I think the MSD Digital 6 has multiple options as well.

 

The Mallory doesn't have a timing retard I don't believe. I thought it only had a start retard. The reason I say this, is I planned on getting this ignition box but I didn't think that it had a timing retard....so now I am leaning toward a MSD digital 6 or 7. Any thoughts??

 

A cd ignition is harder on distributor terminals and spark plugs. Stick with a manufactuers "6" box and the wear will be minimal. The "7" series of boxes and their companion coil will really erode a set of spark plugs in a hurry on an edurance-street application. MSD, Mallory and Crane all have "6" series of boxes. The Mallory Hyfire 4 series is also in the same catagory.

Digital and analog reference the circuitry inside the box that triggers the coil, it doesn't affect the actual spark characteristics.

Multiple sparks only occur for 20-22 deg crankshaft rotation. In other words as rpm increases the spark quantity diminishes as there is less time available to fire the coil. At low rpm the box will have time to fire the plug a few times before that 20 degree window has past. A CD spark is short and the mutiple sparks are actually needed to ensure the fire is started, especially at low throttle settings.

 

Thanks for the info. The reason I mentioned the digital boxes is because I know one person who ran an MSD 6AL and was killing Optisparks ever 2000 miles. However another person was running an MSD Digital 6+ and never had a problem. I don't know how long he ran that Digital 6, but I'm pretty sure it was more than a few thousand miles.

EDIT: What if I upgraded to the MSD cap/rotor later (whenever the Opti fails next), would that better handle the CD ignition?

 

I haven't actually seen a picture of the MSD cap, but if it has brass terminals instead of the oe aluminum ones then yes, it should last quite a bit longer under CD use.

 

Mallory's 685 does have timing retard, as well as start retard, window switch, etc etc. Best box out there for the money. Ran one for 30k miles and the opti is fine along with the rest of the ignition system.

 

I was looking at some comparison data and the Mallory 685 seems to be what I want and need.

To get the same thing from MSD, it looks like I'd have to have two seperate boxes.

How do you wire a 685 in to take advantage of all the features?