msd tl digital vs analog

chrisdoc0608

chrisdoc0608

insulting
Location
rocky mount, nc
could someone give me a quick run down about the difference between the two and what advantages/ disadvantages are of each. im considering buying a tl setup to throw on this winter
 
Scott Kalisch

Scott Kalisch

X
Location
Myrtle Beach
Chris,

The digital boxes put out a hotter, or better spark. They also have more options, and work better for future tunes.

From my experience with the MSD products they can be hit or miss.

The older stlye 6AL analog boxes had some issues, but the new digital boxes seem to be much more reliable.

If it was me, i would personally look into a TBM flywheel and Advent ignition.
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
The analog system uses external modules to adjust timing. So if you get a used one with one module and you don't like it, you have to buy another one. If you get the digital one, you adjust the timing with dip switches on the back. It's easier to do, allows more flexibility, and from what others have said...is more reliable too.
 
crammit442

crammit442

makin' legs
Location
here
chrisdoc0608 said:
well that still leaves me to wonder what you mean by dual channel, are all digital msds dual channel and all analog single?
Click to expand...

All analog MSD TL's are single channel. One trigger and two magnets. The first digital system was single channel. The big difference from analog was the use of dip switches for adjustments insteads of plug in modules. The latest digital system is multi channel and can be used for up to three cylinders. It uses one magnet and a separate trigger for each cylinder. It's the best thing on the markey at the moment, but either the analog or the single channel can be very reliable if set up well. The only big downside to the older systems is that they are obsolete. If it dies, you either find another old brain or upgrade to the latest system. If you have to upgrade you will have to buy new coils, brain, and an additional trigger. New mounting holes can be added to your existing trigger plate to accomodate the extra trigger and one magnet can be removed from the flywheel. The learning curve seems a little steep at first, but nothing currently available works better.
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
Well multi-channel/dual channel may be the hottest thing out but when I bought my single channel digital from wetjet701, he said he couldn't really tell a difference between single and dual.
 
crammit442

crammit442

makin' legs
Location
here
jfw432 said:
Well multi-channel/dual channel may be the hottest thing out but when I bought my single channel digital from wetjet701, he said he couldn't really tell a difference between single and dual.
Click to expand...


I agree. I didn't say there is a performance difference between the single/multi channel systems. There might be a slight advantage, but it won't be something you can feel. The difference is that replacement parts are available. Unless you can find NOS or used parts, the single channel and analog systems are obsolete. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to run a single channel system and have in the past with good results.
 
yamanube

yamanube

This Is The Way
Staff member
Location
Mandalor
I am running an old Jetinetics HEAT TL ignition, its a single channel, non adjustable unit and while it may not offer all the benifits a newer MSD setup does it was a piece of cake to setup, offers a great improvement over a stock ignition and was retarded cheap. I would like to eventually upgrade to a new MSD setup one of these days.
 
Freakrider

Freakrider

X247
Location
Tampa Bay area
just to clarify from my understanding there is MSD: analog,single channel and multi channel (3)...would love to try the Heat total loss maybe wait and see how yamanube's is on reliabity.....nice price 4 sure....
 
yamanube

yamanube

This Is The Way
Staff member
Location
Mandalor
Jump On It said:
just to clarify from my understanding there is MSD: analog,single channel and multi channel (3)...would love to try the Heat total loss maybe wait and see how yamanube's is on reliabity.....nice price 4 sure....
Click to expand...

Being that the price brand new is cheaper than both a stock ignition with lightweight charging flywheel and used MSD TL it was the perfect option for me. I bought it used (used box and coil, new wheel and statorplate/pickup) had a buddy wire it up professionaly (worth the $) and took my time installing it and it has worked flawless all season, I get 3+ days of riding on my odessey battery, dont have to have an on/off switch that I would forget to turn off and drain my battery and the only problem I had was cracking apart a 10 year old MSD coil (since replaced with a screamin' eagle coil). Im not sure if Jetinetics is still selling these units but I have been thinking about picking up some spare parts from them just incase they stop so I can run it for a bunch of years.
 
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