Any one else running an MSD and OBD1

[EricW]

Well as i have now found out that the ignitor in the OBD1 distributors doesn't like to be used with a MSD box. My car is not currently running b/c of it.
I did some research on Honda-tech and PGMfi and found out there is a way around running a ignitor if you have a MSD. You have to build a trigger adapter to replace the ignitor and to wire the MSD to. Here is the diagram.

I'm going to order all of the parts from digikey, the only problem is that they don't currently have the ztx857 in stock but they have some on order and their order is late. According to the PGMFI wiki you can use a different part to replace the ztx857, but i don't know enough about transistors to find the correct replacement.
Any wayI thought i would share this if any one else need the info in the future. If you can help me find a replacement it would be much appeciated.

[guaynabo89]

I have one installed on my car but as of now i cant remember at all how I ired it up using the obd1 distributor. Sorry buddy my memory is failing. lol

i havent had anyproblems with mine though please post a link to where you found this information.

[EricW]

The pic is from this thread on Honda-tech. http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread...78318#14278318

Heres the info in the PGMFI wiki
http://www.pgmfi.org/twiki/bin/view/...torReplacement

[MessyHonda]

im thinking of picking up a msd 6al....but if it does not work with OBD1 i wont...hope you can find a way

[EricW]

im thinking of picking up a msd 6al....but if it does not work with OBD1 i wont...hope you can find a way

The circuit i posted is the way to make the msd box work without the ignitor. Just digikey does't currently have the ztx857 currently in stock and doesn't know when it will be delivered.

[Vanilla Sky]

have you tried mouser?

[shepherd79]

it is weird that MSD doesn't work with OBD1 distributor.
I know it works fine with our stock distributor.
are you sure you are reading manual correctly?

may be MSD is weird. that is why i love Crane ingnition.

[EricW]

have you tried mouser?

yes, they don't list it as a stocked part.

[guaynabo89]

im running a msd 6al and blaster ss coil with no problems at all in almost 3 years

[EricW]

Well i talked to my dad and looked up a part that could handle more power to replace the ztx857. I will be useing a BU931T.

[EricW]

im running a msd 6al and blaster ss coil with no problems at all in almost 3 years

Did you get a distributor from the junk yard or did you buy one from distributor king(or other). From what i read the Honda ignitors, the NEC, last longer than the aftermarket replacements.

[MessyHonda]

im running a msd 6al and blaster ss coil with no problems at all in almost 3 years

would it work for a stock set up...i just have a blaster 2 coil....i can get a new one for around like 160 shipped.

[EricW]

would it work for a stock set up...i just have a blaster 2 coil....i can get a new one for around like 160 shipped.

The msd runs fine for the stock ignition, Its just the newer ignitors that have the problem. I ran my msd for at least 2 years on the stock igniton with out a single problem.

On a side note i ordered enough parts to make 5 of the msd trigger adapters, so if anyone else needs one let me know.

[MessyHonda]

The msd runs fine for the stock ignition, Its just the newer ignitors that have the problem. I ran my msd for at least 2 years on the stock igniton with out a single problem.
On a side note i ordered enough parts to make 5 of the msd trigger adapters, so if anyone else needs one let me know.

soo if i plan to do OBD1 conversion down the road it wont work...unless i get one of thoes adapters from you?

[EricW]

soo if i plan to do OBD1 conversion down the road it wont work...unless i get one of thoes adapters from you?

It will work, you don't have to have the adapters if you like spending money on ignitors. The ignitors may not go out that often depending on the brand some seem to last longer than others. Like Dennis said he hasn't had a problem for 3 years. I got a distributor king distributor and from what i have read on Honda-tech their ignitors seem to go out quickly.

Another way to look at it is the parts for the adapter are less than $15 for just one and the cheapest ignitor available is $60+. Thats the reason i chose to make the adapter box.

[MessyHonda]

It will work, you don't have to have the adapters if you like spending money on ignitors. The ignitors may not go out that often depending on the brand some seem to last longer than others. Like Dennis said he hasn't had a problem for 3 years. I got a distributor king distributor and from what i have read on Honda-tech their ignitors seem to go out quickly.
Another way to look at it is the parts for the adapter are less than $15 for just one and the cheapest ignitor available is $60+. Thats the reason i chose to make the adapter box.

ok cool i didnt want to find out that it would not work when i convert...

[Kabuki]

Typically, aftermarket igniters do not hold up for long, I'd suggest Honda units. I've had BRAND new aftermarket igniters come with reman distributors, and they don't work when we swap in the assembly. But switch it for the original unit and everything is peachy.

[89T]

a friend of mine that tunes cars, said that there is no reason to waste any money on on the msd box's. He said that the honda ign. sys. is actually better than the msd add on's. the only thing he runs with his is an external blastor coil.

who am i to question him, apparently the stock ign sys was good enough to net him 700+hp on a b18.
i can get the dyno sheet if needed.

I know it is hard to fathem that the stock system being as good if not better than an aftermarket "high proformance system" but if it can produce upwords of 700hp why bother spending the money.

I already spent the money and to be convinced that i didn't need it well........
i am using a ford ign system so i dont know if i really do need it.

you make you'r own decision.
as kabuki said stick with og honda parts.

[guaynabo89]

I got my distributor from the local Autozone. Im pretty sure its a reman. but so far no issues.

[MessyHonda]

a friend of mine that tunes cars, said that there is no reason to waste any money on on the msd box's. He said that the honda ign. sys. is actually better than the msd add on's. the only thing he runs with his is an external blastor coil.
who am i to question him, apparently the stock ign sys was good enough to net him 700+hp on a b18.
i can get the dyno sheet if needed.
I know it is hard to fathem that the stock system being as good if not better than an aftermarket "high proformance system" but if it can produce upwords of 700hp why bother spending the money.
I already spent the money and to be convinced that i didn't need it well........
i am using a ford ign system so i dont know if i really do need it.
you make you'r own decision.
as kabuki said stick with og honda parts.

the part i like is that it has multipal sparks under 3k...so it burns up the gas better...it also has a built in rev limited...witch i like. but now you are telling me that they are not worth it? werid...il look into it better.

[89T]

the part i like is that it has multipal sparks under 3k...so it burns up the gas better...it also has a built in rev limited...witch i like. but now you are telling me that they are not worth it? werid...il look into it better.

the chances are that you are going to obd1 to be able to tune you'r setup. So with that in mind most tuning programs have a rev limmiter options some also offer 2 step rev-limmiters and anti-lag(traction control).
a good tune will offer you a better running engine, and improved gas milage, course you would have to keep the lead foot out of the new found power.

[Oldblueaccord]

Does MSD have a special SC box. I always wondered why and maybe this is the reason?
http://www.msdignition.com/sci_6.htm
EDit: they sell this with it wierd
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...00122+306210+0
wp

[SQ is the SQUAD]

exactly what distributor r u running? i figured with the 93 accord dist with en external msd coil and the msd box there should not be a prob

[EricW]

exactly what distributor r u running? i figured with the 93 accord dist with en external msd coil and the msd box there should not be a prob

I'm running the 92-93 accord external coil distributor, The problem is with the ignitor not the coil. I think it has something to do with the amount of power the draws through the ignitor.

[EricW]

I installed the trigger switch the other day and the car started right up.


I will get some of the installed pics later.