1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

msd ign or d.u.i.?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by jeepdad, Nov 3, 2006.

  1. jeepdad

    jeepdad Member

    ok i should have done this along time ago but i seem to lag when it comes to purchasing an ignition system for my jeep. how many of you guys out there have used the msd and how happy were you and how many of you guys tried the d.u.i.? any pros and cons to either one would be appreciated. :driving:
     
  2. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    I've got a MSD box on my 225. I'm extremely happy with it.

    MOP has both on his. Seems pretty nice there too.
     
  3. mbalbritton

    mbalbritton Member

    I had an MSD in mine and loved it, until I water logged it and fried it.

    now I'm running a TFI/HEI Hybrid ignition set-up. For the money, I'd take this set-up over the MSD any day.
     
  4. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    MSD with HEI or points? Guess I shoulda clarified, I've got HEI in mine as well.
     
  5. mbalbritton

    mbalbritton Member

    are you asking me if I had my MSD with HEI or with points? If so, neither. Never had points or HEI when I had my MSD.

    My TFI/HEI set-up is TFI Coil, Ford Cap and Rotor, Stock electronic dist. and HEI module inplace of the duraspark box.
     
  6. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Shows my level of ignorance with these newfangled Jeeps. :oops:
     
  7. mbalbritton

    mbalbritton Member

    newfangled... LOL! damn 28 y/o new crap R)
     
  8. solomon

    solomon Baby Jeep Junkie

    what are the benefits of MSD? Efficiency, more power?
     
  9. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    The extent of my knowledge generally ends at 1971. ;)
     
  10. High5

    High5 Member

    You can get basically the same thing as the DUI on ebay for a lot less money. I think around 200 instead of 4 and then needing their wires for another 90. I bought mine off ebay without the coil and then bought an Accel coil here in town. I think I have around 250 in mine.

    Works great,

    High5
     
  11. mpearcex

    mpearcex New Member

    I did the TFI upgrade. My 1975 CJ5 had an ugraded 1979 wiring harness under the hood so it had the motorcraft ign. system. The great thing about the TFI is you don't even have to remove your Dist. you just remove the cap and rotor, replace them with ford parts and a TFI coil. I also step up to 8MM wires for when I'm rich enough to buy a MSD box. There is website out there that walks you though it. IT's so simple. You go from 20.000 volts to 40,000 volt in a matter of minutes. I believe MSD even has a 45,000 volt TFI coil if you want to go with that. The TFI cap rotor and coil didn't cost $50.00. I also had to make a braket to hold the new coil but that was free.
     
  12. sharpesjeep

    sharpesjeep New Member

  13. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Being a cheap bastage, I would use a junkyard system: Duraspark distributor and harness from a late 360 Wagoneer at the pick-your-part, and a TFI upgrade. I expect the HEI module (per Brent above) replaces the Ford ECU; probably cheaper than a new Ford ECU, and reputed (maybe) to be more reliable.
     
  14. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Another possibility is a HEI distributor, which you'd have to buy - here's one source http://www.zmjeeps.com/hei_8.php - I'm sure there are others. The HEI will be all self-contained (no inner-fender-mounted ECU and no external coil) and can be easily modified for spark control if you should ever decide to add GM fuel injection (TBI or TPI). The Summit distributor above is similar.
     
  15. Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    How hard is replacing a distributor? My dad thought it would be a nightmare because of gears mating up? Is he right or just hallucinating?
     
  16. dauntless_powered

    dauntless_powered SUB COB 2024 Sponsor

    i put a cape conversions hei dist in, and it was without a doubt the best mod i did on that motor...dropped right in(with the typical grinding of the intake) and it was plug and play from there
     
  17. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Nightmare because of gears lining up? Not sure what he's getting at here? Timing being off? It's easy to drop a distributor in. Hard part is dropping it in at the correct position. R)
     
  18. MOP

    MOP Active Member


    I have less in mine than you with a DUI and MSD ;)
     
  19. SwampRatt

    SwampRatt 1973 CJ-5

    Don't you put #1 cyl at TDC, drop the distributer in with the rotor pointing at #1. I think that's how you'd go about it in an old chevy. If memory serves.
     
  20. jeepdad

    jeepdad Member

    thank you all for all your inputs, i appreciate it.