77 - MSD ignition OMG it tears now! | FerrariChat
Buy

77 - MSD ignition OMG it tears now!

Discussion in '308/328' started by 308-newbie, Jun 12, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 308-newbie

    308-newbie Guest

    #1 308-newbie, Jun 12, 2008
    Just got my 77 GTB back from the mechanic after a 3 hour drop off and 45 minute flight home. Involved balancing the carbs, and redoing the coils with MSD upgrade and replacing the plugs with iridiums. Only one one word can describe the difference... ohmygodholycrapican'tbelieveit'sthesamecar!

    Wow, I now know what the car would have felt like off the floor and why they describe the sound of a Ferrari ripping by as "tearing canvas". Amazing difference in sound, feel, and performance...all the fun it was ever meant to be. Not even a hiccup through the rev's (never to redline though 'cause I'm a chicken to redline a 31 year old car). For the record it is still smoky and stinky.

    If you're having trouble with your ignition on your carb'd car all I can say is the 1000 in parts and the price of a great mechanic's time made me smile twice as much as when I first brought her home. Wow...
     
  2. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 19, 2006
    6,251
    Indiana/North Carolina
    Full Name:
    JIM
    #2 jimshadow, Jun 13, 2008
    Excellent!!! I can't wait to do mine. (Electromotive) The only reason I havent yet is that mine runs so stinkin' nice! Soon though!

    JIM
     
  3. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #3 greg328, Jun 13, 2008
    Same here. I've got Nick's kit for my 77 GTB, just waiting for the stock stuff to go bad I guess...

    Greg
     
  4. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

    Jun 7, 2006
    1,778
    USA
    Full Name:
    Tony K.
    #4 Tony K, Jun 13, 2008
    It's nice to hear a success story like this! :) Money and time well spent!
     
  5. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
    10,213
    San Antonio
    Full Name:
    Russ Turner
    #5 snj5, Jun 13, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2008
    Very cool!
    I've been using an MSD for 5 years now and you will find your plugs are cleaner as well. They're great!
    Guess there is a reason almost every coil fired racecar for years has run MSD boxes!

    Yea!




    Note: I do not think the Electromotive kit does the multiple spark discharge thing that MSD boxes do, but I may be wrong.
     
  6. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #6 FasterIsBetter, Jun 13, 2008
    Installed Nick's kit in my '78 308 last year. What a difference! Don't wait for the stock stuff to die. Just do it, my man!! And you don't need the "double strike" spark of the MSD. Electromotive does just fine, and it really brings the car to life, all the way up to redline, IMHO.
     
  7. 308-newbie

    308-newbie Guest

    #7 308-newbie, Jun 13, 2008
    agreed. If there is the tiniest gurgle or fart DO IT! I can't belive the difference and still have a hard time believing it's a 31 year old car. Ahhh...feels good to own AND drive a piece of history. Love it.

    Enjoy it...
     
  8. Shark49

    Shark49 Formula Junior

    Mar 31, 2005
    773
    Boone, NC
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    #8 Shark49, Jul 3, 2008
    Thats the XDI system correct? Is nick's kit a do-it-yourself kind of job or is there any kind of custom machining that is required?
    -Nate
     
  9. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 19, 2006
    6,251
    Indiana/North Carolina
    Full Name:
    JIM
    #9 jimshadow, Jul 3, 2008
    You'll need to have blanking plates made for the distributor ends, plus a bracket to hold the coils. Search the archives, there are some guys who have had these items made and can direct you where to go...

    Jim
     
  10. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #10 FasterIsBetter, Jul 3, 2008
    Agree. I got the blanking plates and coil mount bracket from Wade (search archives). You do have to do a little bit of wiring to put the system together, but it's pretty easy. The directions Nick gives you are good, as is the Electromotive manual. I mounted the ignition controller and relays in the trunk, to minimize weather exposure. The coils can be mounted on the fire wall or trunk wall, or you can do a bracket for them. I opted for the bracket and it's worked nicely.

    You must make sure that the unit is well grounded. If not, it won't run (ask me how I found that one out).

    I'd love to see some pics of the MSD install in that '77. Any chance of posting?
     
  11. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #11 FasterIsBetter, Jul 3, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

Share This Page