Which ignition box is best?

[Blazin T]

I've been pricing ignition upgrades for my CPI vin W motor. I see that MSD is popular among the crowd here....but which is best for my application?
6A...6AL. Other brands have higher outputs..Is there a limit to how much more spark I really need? cuz I do have a limited budget. even the MSD 6A is any where from 180$ to 400$ depending on where you order. Summit has a box matching the MSD specs for 150$ Is one kit or another easier to install (wiring wise) Any body please share your experience and experiences in using and ordering these things.
Thanks Travis

[droopy89]

Well, with the MSD box, you can simply buy the wiring kit for it, not really sure how much extra that is, but it shouldnt be much.

[Mikz86TA]

Well, there are a few good brands. The only difference between the 6A and 6AL is the rev limiter. It uses 'pills' that plug into the side for the tagged RPM limit. Most ODB2 vehicles have a rev limiter as does the s-series. So it doesnt really matter, but some like the additional one in the box for safety. Ive run my truck pretty hard on a couple occasions and missed a shift a time or 2. Ive never spun it high enough to hit the limiter. To be honest, in stock form it doesnt need to rev that high anyway....there isnt enough pull near it to justify spinning it that high. After a few mods like y-pipe, I did notice its got more pull near it now. IMO a 6A is just fine. Plus if you have a programmer, you can adjust it in the trucks PCM. MSD Digital6 is a advanced step up but not really worth the cost. Crane HI6 is a good choice too. It has an adjusting dial for the limiter it has. Which makes it easier to adjust and no 'pills' to buy. The MSD 6AL comes with about 4 'pills' of popular RPM limits....check out the MSD site for more info. Mallory is another long-time good brand. Their models and features are a mirror of MSD but they use roman numerals (VI- AL) . Holley, Jacobs and Accell also make ignitions. Personally I prefer the MSD/Mallory/Crane over them.

[Mikz86TA]

Oh..and Drew touched on the wiring. MSD sells a easy-wire connector for poplular GM models. If you have a 98-up its part #8877. It doesnt list the year and fitment on that part as going that high. But its it. Its a single 3-pin connector with the outter pins used and center not. Basically you could hard wire it, but this makes it easy to go back to stock in the event you had to remove the box. It will work for ANY of the ignition boxes. They all connect the same method

[Blazin T]

I figured there were reasons for the MSD's popularity..any diff for a 1994 vin w? I think this is pre obdII. I'm still dazzled by the digital dash works..my other truck is old school! Summit seemed to have the best price on the MSD6A. I'm not "really" planning on racing it..(competitively) Just want the best mileage and HP w/o removing to many emission required components every 2 years. Must be Alaska street legal and hopefully dragstrip respectable..for a 4dr loaded tahoe pkg. LOL
Thanks folks

[04silveradomykk]

I'll 2nd the MSD 6a, I've got them on all my rides. On the big block in my 1969 chevy, my small block in my 1936 chevy and the 4.3 in my 2004 Silverado... pretty much anything with a distributor

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Watch ebay. You might be able to save yourself $50 over the summit price ($185 +SH). I think the wiring adapters are about $30-35 shipped from ebay, too.

[Mikz86TA]

Well, 1994 Blazer is a box-style right? I think the CPI has the 4-pin siamesed twin plugs at the coil. There is another harness adapter #8876 http://www.shopatron.com/product/product_id=MSD8876/424.0 for that application. Check yours out 1st to verify. The 8876 style usually has a large red, slightly smaller white and 2/1 other wire(s) going into the coil. The coil is also a seperate mounted one. Here is what your coil should look like for this afformentioned harness to work http://www.msdignition.com/coil_blaster_5_8226.htm. Im 99% sure this is the one yours has. The ignition box will connect to power and ground through larger gague wires at the battery/frame. The trigger and coil wires will connect at the coil, which is the purpose of this adapter. Later on if there is a ignitin box malfunction or some other reason to remove it....you will be able to go back to stock in seconds. My friends Ranger 302 swap had a 6AL go bad. This wouldve kept him from having it towed and from being stranded. Ive had my 6AL in the TransAm for about 5 years and it works great. Ive had friends with Crane HI6's and they have had no problems as well. Mallory I trust but have had no immediate experience with their ignitions. I have had their fuel pumps and regulators B4. Good stuff! Ths instructions for the Crane and MSD are easy to follow. There are also links on install vids.

[Mikz86TA]

X2.....Ive been watching a bunch lately. This is a soon in the near future item for me to buy too. But I refuse to pay retail =)
Watch ebay. You might be able to save yourself $50 over the summit price ($185 +SH). I think the wiring adapters are about $30-35 shipped from ebay, too.

[stock97S10]

the only difference i found with an MSD box is that it doesnt foul plugs as often (not my s10, older car with carb). it also made it start a little easier. didnt notice a power gain