MSD Ignition

The MSD6AL-2 (6421) footprint fits nicely into the AEC104 space. The 6AL (6425) is a bit longer but also works fine as an AEC104 replacement, it does not have the two step rev limiter and other features of the 6AL-2 but you would not use these in a typical Ferrari setup anyway.

The MSD6AL-2 AEC104 wiring sheet can also be used for the 6AL:
http://www.dinoplex.org/PDF/Wiring_MSD6AL2_for_AEC104.pdf

Size comparison AE104 and MSD 6AL-2 (shown with custom AEC104 mounting plate in black):

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I think the MSD streetfire is also an interesting option.
It is less 'powerfull' than the 6AL(2) but it is much cheaper, it is smaller than the 6AL2, it accepts magnetic pickup, it has a rev limiter, the wires pass thru the lower side of the box instead of the left/right side and with a bit of machining you can fit it inside the original MSD case.

 

When Tim Stanford installed a MSD unit in my 400iA years ago he left the Dinoplex in place and installed the weather proof MSD box under the right headlight. He left the original wiring visible so it looks like the dinoplex is operational. It resulted in a huge improvement in how it started and ran!

 

I'd really like to find someone who can wire it into my carbed car with two distributors. It gets a little flat at high rpm and I think it's spark related.

 

Found this interesting website dedicated to the Dinoplex. Lots of good info, though not related to MSD conversion.

 

Streetfire is MSD's low budget brand which i believe is outsourced to China for production, the features are similar to the 6AL.

 

Getting a little flar at high RPM can also be a symptom of the two advance curves not being in sync anymore.
This is my recommendation for a two distributor setup, it runs quite nicely up to 9000 RPM and will fix the issue of synchronizing two distributor curves:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/bosch-ignition-for-s159-double-distributor-setups.453748/

 

Thanks. I'll try to find someone who can make this plug & play for me this winter.

 

I am overhauling a 365 engine now and I will also convert the ignition to the setup alhbln describes.
I'm currently working on the advance mechanisms, adapting one of the available advance rebuild kit's to this specific engine/distributor.
I've also made some specific parts for the conversion so let me know when you need something, I can help you with the correct advance rebuild kits, chopper wheel, optical sensor base plate etc. etc.

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I’ve just finished modifying my 365 distributors using 2 x HKZ-101 Hall Effect sensors and a castellated steel chopper wheel. This sensor is a successor design to the original Bosch H/E sensor.

Both sensors are mounted in the leading (right hand) distributor so that the l/h distributor only distributes the high voltage to the l/h bank. Mechanical advance for both banks is controlled by the r/h distributor.

Gleggy (who makes beautiful replacement grilles for 365’s, 400’s, 330’s, Daytonas, etc.) water jet cut the sensor mounting plate and the chopper wheel with the necessary accuracy. We made tooling to press the chopper wheel (into a castle form).

Space inside the distributor is tight, but it all fits. I also fitted a thin steel disc above the upper bearing spider to isolate the sensors from any high voltage noise or spikes.

Once finished, I really wanted to verify the phasing between each cylinder and each bank (as well as the mechanical advance). I didn’t have access to a distributor test machine so I decided to make the one pictured. It uses a small electric planer for the drive with an electronic speed controller (made from a kit).

The results were very satisfying – variation between cylinders is less than 1deg. and between banks is negligible. The mechanical advance curve is as per spec. and the trigger is consistent up to at least 5,000 (distributor) RPM.

Regards

WM
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Great job! You'll love how your engine will be running with such a setup in place, compared to two distributor advance curves trying to stay in sync.

Stefan, thanks for making the required parts available!

 

Yes, Stefan, a kit would sell like wildfire. Actually maybe 2 or 3 kits...

 

Hi, i'm looking to get one of these MSD units , probably the streetfire one, but all the units say they are for 4,6,8 cylinder not 12?

 

Hello Rob
If I understood correctly you need 2 6 units!!

 

sorry I've got a 400i (one distrbutor)i thought it was the 365 that needs 2 ? everyone else seems to be buying 1 i think

 

Sorry you are right, should have re-read the thread... Thought I had read something about two boxes.
I've got a 400i too and I have got two units, for sure. But it has been done a long time before I own it and not MSD.
(And I don't understand how it works, at all)

 

ok many thanks Ferraridoc

 

I used the empty Dinoplex case for covering the MSD Al-6. With heat paste. Same place under the hood.

Frank


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