removing ballast resistor WIRING, MSD, switched 12v source,

Correct, no relay. I really just over thought it and hit the keyboard without thinking it through. Seems to happen to me every so often.

I also admit that I did have the relay layout screwed up. I should know this stuff too, I'm a little ashamed considering my level of *ahem* training.

Again, the MSD comes with a splice connector so all I did was plug it in and heat shrink it. This is all happening behind the bulkhead connector so I have achieved my goal of eliminating unnecessary wiring.

Thanks for the input gang.