MSD Enhancer Poll

[FLY6584]

Alright guys I'm thinking about buying an MSD Enhancer, but I am reluctant to because of the reliability issues I keep hearing about. I know there are good ones and there are bad ones, but after talking to some people I found out that back in 2001 MSD changed manufacturing facilities or something like that and a bunch of bad enhancers were made. Since then MSD has had a bad reputation for their enhancers.

Just trying to get an idea of how many people have had good enhancers and how many have had bad enhancers.

Thanks:biggthumpup:

 

[norcal ex]

i have a super old one that has been in about 3 or 4 boats and a new one and they are both great, no problems yet. just plan to replace every two years

 

[FLY6584]

It sounds like they're worth it. In all of the threads I have been reading everyone says it definitely shows a noticeable improvement.

I figure I am already spending the money on a pipe, head, and prop so I might as well be able to get the full potential out of them.

I just wanna make sure I'm not buying something thats going to keep me off the water more than on the water.

 

[norcal ex]

It sounds like they're worth it. In all of the threads I have been reading everyone says it definitely shows a noticeable improvement.

I figure I am already spending the money on a pipe, head, and prop so I might as well be able to get the full potential out of them.

I just wanna make sure I'm not buying something thats going to keep me off the water more than on the water.

just keep your stock one as a spare in the trailor. all you need to change it out is a screw driver, 12mm and a 10mm and 20 min max:biggthumpup:

 

['Crockett]

I agree with everything that everybody said ! . . . . . .

I've had them go bad in what seemed like too short of time, and I've had them last a long time also. I don't know why they are such a crap shoot, you'd think MSD could get some consistency out of them . . . they've been building them for years.

I think the performance is worth it . . . although they have gotten pretty pricey over the years. They made a huge difference on my injected ski's . . . big help burning all that fuel. I swear you can hear the difference in the exhaust tone when you run the MSD . . . you're just getting a more complete fuel burn.

Like Norcal ex said : keep you stock cdi handy for a quick swap . . . . . .

 

[The other Alex]

I have one from pre-2001 that is good as far as I know. My ski runs with it on, PM me if you want it.

 

[toofastkx]

I can really tell the diffrence after installing my msd enhancer and msd coil on my sj.

 

[FLY6584]

I can really tell the diffrence after installing my msd enhancer and msd coil on my sj.

How so?

Do you notice it most on the bottom, middle, top, or all the way?

So you went from stock to msd and immediately noticed the difference? Would you say it was worth the $220?

 

[Speedfreak]

How so? advance in the timing curve

Do you notice it most on the bottom, middle, top, or all the way? Bottom > mid

So you went from stock to msd and immediately noticed the difference? Yes Would you say it was worth the $220? I would say YES worth the money.

If mine stoped working tomorrow I would order another IF I couldn't find a MSD TL system within a week.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I installed my first Enhancer in OCT 99......... after some gremlins last fall I installed a new used one I bought........ later on found that I had a completely different problem, so as far as I know that one from 99 is still good!!!!!!!!

main thing is you got to take care of them, they are like any other electronic part......... dont crank over the motor with the plug caps off........ ground the plugs out....... Disconnect the Ground wire off the battery first ( I believe that is correct........) That how I do it.........

 

[toofastkx]

I got a great deal on mine on ebay. I got the enhancer and coil for $185 shipped. Both look almost brand new. It's been 6 months and still running great.

The low to mid and throttle response was greatly improved.

 

[Powder]

main thing is you got to take care of them, they are like any other electronic part......... dont crank over the motor with the plug caps off........ ground the plugs out....... Disconnect the Ground wire off the battery first ( I believe that is correct........) That how I do it.........

So true. if you crank it over without the plugwires grounded there is no place for the charge to discharge and it messes it up. I have 3 seasons on mine with no issues.

 

[Speedfreak]

So true. if you crank it over without the plugwires grounded there is no place for the charge to discharge and it messes it up. I have 3 seasons on mine with no issues.

I must have a really good one... I crank mine without the plug caps a couple times a year and I do it a lot when I wintrize. Never had a problem I also don't care which plug wire comes off first.

 

['Crockett]

I've always wondered if the Enhancer would last longer if you ran the MSD coil with it . . . . . I've always just run stock coils except on total loss.

 

[Powder]

I must have a really good one... I crank mine without the plug caps a couple times a year and I do it a lot when I wintrize. Never had a problem I also don't care which plug wire comes off first.

it's pretty much the rule of thumb for any CDI that is why sea-pooh has the grounding points built into the skis someplace.

 

[h2odesperado]

grounding points built into the skis someplace.

WHY DOESN'T ANYBODY MAKE THESE FOR SJ'S!:banghead:

 

[Big Kahuna]

you dont need them, just put the plugs in them and lay them on the head.

 

[SUPERTUNE]

I figure I am already spending the money on a pipe, head, and prop so I might as well be able to get the full potential out of them.

No, You will not get the full potential from pipe, head, and prop with a MSD inhancer when using a stock cdi system! Advents and Wax racing kicks the msd-e in the teeth! You can't beat a more aggressive timing curve, the MSD-E has a very week timing curve, so weak in fact I almost wouldn't call it a curve, Just a little (and I mean little!) retard at higher rpms ( I have seen some MSD-E have only 2 degrees of retard and some of the best I ever saw was 4 degrees, no consistancy with them.) The msd also uses the source coil to generate power for the spark energy. (same as stock)WRONG! Advents use a total loss principle, uses straight 12 volts positive from the battery for it's energy source! This is one of the reasons you can't beat the spark firepower of the Advent CDI unless you go to a MSD-TL digital ignition!
I know that Greg (Advent) has had his problems with the Advents CDI boxes but I've been getting good ones for a year or so, And he does warranty them if you have problems...One thing when using Advents you MUST use 62T stator and flywheel. Sorry to bust you on this one as this statement is not true.

 

[GDFL]

After mine died and left me stranded in the middle of the lake I put in a stocker and couldn't tell a difference. A replacement MSD is pretty close to the bottom of my list of purchases now. I'm not sure what's going in the buildoff ski though. I hope that I can afford an inferno or something.

 

[FLY6584]

No, You will not get the full potential from pipe, head, and prop with a MSD inhancer when using a stock cdi system! Advents and Wax racing kicks the msd-e in the teeth! You can't beat a more aggressive timing curve, the MSD-E has a very week timing curve, so weak in fact I almost wouldn't call it a curve, Just a little (and I mean little!) retard at higher rpms ( I have seen some MSD-E have only 2 degrees of retard and some of the best I ever saw was 4 degrees, no consistancy with them.) The msd also uses the source coil to generate power for the spark energy. (same as stock)WRONG! Advents use a total loss principle, uses straight 12 volts positive from the battery for it's energy source! This is one of the reasons you can't beat the spark firepower of the Advent CDI unless you go to a MSD-TL digital ignition!
I know that Greg (Advent) has had his problems with the Advents CDI boxes but I've been getting good ones for a year or so, And he does warranty them if you have problems...One thing when using Advents you MUST use 62T stator and flywheel. Sorry to bust you on this one as this statement is not true.

What's the wax racing cdi?