What is the supposed advantage of the MSD system over the much more affordable stock HEI system? MSD stands for "Multiple Spark Discharge" and the pattern on an oscilloscope shows five distinct firing lines. Does the spark plug really need to fire five times for every power stroke? Each firing impulse has to be extremely short-duration to fit all of them into the time frame where normally a single spark would happen.
I can see the reasoning behind using this type of system on a race engine- - - - -maybe- - - -but it seems to be a really expensive and totally unnecessary option for a street engine. Also, the procedure for adapting a stock HEI system to the stovebolt engine is well known and simple to accomplish. MSD seems like a fool's mission for someone who needs to brag about another expensive toy on his stovebolt.
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 02/11/2011 5:29 AM.