Thread:

Digital MSD 6AL?

Originally Posted by NiceGuyEddie

Since the old box was replaced with the new digital one..Does anyone know if MSD will also be changing the Marine box (6M-2L) to a digital set up too?


Anyone used the new digital box? Like it? It's smaller which is cool, and no more needing chips for rev limiter. They are also cheaper than the old box, so I wonder if the marine box would go down $50 too??

I wouldn't count on it. Some ignitions that are purpose built like the marine and the 6T, 6ALN, and the 6HVC's are built as analog iginitions to meet rules that require the ignition to be analog. Not sure if NASCAR cup has allowed digital ignitions now thathave gone to EFI, but the lower classes still require a analog ignition, and there are some drag classes as well. If they ever decide to make a digital M6, I think it will sometime.
They went to the digital because it is cheaper to produce. The remaining analog boxes are pricey enough to justify the expense of building them. Like 500.00 for a 6HVC-L and close to 400.00 for a 6M-2L

Daytona Sensors LLC - Engine Controls and Instrumentation Systems for Automotive and Motorcycle Applications The Marine box is kick butt. I have sold quite a few units this year. They plug and play with any dummy distributor. You are also getting data logging capability for FREE!!

Originally Posted by NiceGuyEddie

Since the old box was replaced with the new digital one..Does anyone know if MSD will also be changing the Marine box (6M-2L) to a digital set up too?


Anyone used the new digital box? Like it? It's smaller which is cool, and no more needing chips for rev limiter. They are also cheaper than the old box, so I wonder if the marine box would go down $50 too??

I ran a digital 6 in my race car for years with no problems. We also currently have one in our drag/lake boat and it works really well. I really like the fact you have 2 limiters plus a switchable retard all in one box. Our current motor program needs all of them and it cleans up the wiring. That said, I'm not sure it would be my first choice for a "real" lake boat if threre was a chance it could get wet. The pots for adjusting the limiters/retards don't look water tight for even a big splash. Maybe they are, but I wouldn't chance it. If I were building a performance lake boat, I'd stick with the 6M or a Vertex mag depending on your goals/needs.
Good luck...

Originally Posted by David 519

I ran a digital 6 in my race car for years with no problems. We also currently have one in our drag/lake boat and it works really well. I really like the fact you have 2 limiters plus a switchable retard all in one box. Our current motor program needs all of them and it cleans up the wiring. That said, I'm not sure it would be my first choice for a "real" lake boat if threre was a chance it could get wet. The pots for adjusting the limiters/retards don't look water tight for even a big splash. Maybe they are, but I wouldn't chance it. If I were building a performance lake boat, I'd stick with the 6M or a Vertex mag depending on your goals/needs.
Good luck...

David, I believe you're talking about a 6AL-2 or a Digital 6 Plus. My guess would be you ran the digital 6 Plus which has been around for awhile and is a damn nice box. The OP is talking about a Digital 6AL. The Digital 6AL is much newer box that is the replacement for the old 6-AL, is MUCH cheaper that either of the other 2, no retards, one limiter(or none in the Digital 6). I know it sounds like semantics, but its just a entirely different ignition box.

Originally Posted by gn7

David, I believe you're talking about a 6AL-2 or a Digital 6 Plus. My guess would be you ran the digital 6 Plus which has been around for awhile and is a damn nice box. The OP is talking about a Digital 6AL. The Digital 6AL is much newer box that is the replacement for the old 6-AL, is MUCH cheaper that either of the other 2, no retards, one limiter(or none in the Digital 6). I know it sounds like semantics, but its just a entirely different ignition box.

Yup, I was talking about the Digital 6 Plus. I'm a fan of the 6+ if you need some of the ignition controls but not running a something in the 753x series territory (high comp, big shot or high RPM). I'd seen the Digital 6AL but kinda forgotten about them as they don't really fit any applications I work on. Now that I think of them, seem like a decent basic ignition box but I'd still opt for a 6M in a real lake boat.
So what box do you guys use in the GNs? Seems any boat set up to self bail at 100 GPM+ must use something either fairly water resistant or a have place where it can stay dry

X2 on the Daytona Sensors stuff. American made, really versatile, highest quality. You guys really ought to look into it.

Originally Posted by David 519

So what box do you guys use in the GNs? Seems any boat set up to self bail at 100 GPM+ must use something either fairly water resistant or a have place where it can stay dry

Believe it or not, we run both. The 6AL is run as the primary because the 6M doesn't have a rev limit, and the add on limiter is 200.00. The 6M-2 wasn't out when I bought the 6M and you had to add the limiter just like the 6HVC, and 6T.
We also run the 6AL as a primary in hopes that the 6M is still ok if the 6AL fails. We have NEVER once failed a 6AL due to water. We have failed them for every other reason known to man, but never water.
People say if you run a MSD you need a backup. I know 4-5 GN racers that WISH they had a backup to there mags during a race.

Originally Posted by 79sleek

I went through 2 6AL and 1 marine!! Converted to HEI distributor and love it. I hated the msd, worked good when it was working!!

Anybody that can clear a HEI, and have an HEI fire their deal is a fool to use anything else. Learned that long ago.