MSD -vs- Jacobs

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69B-Cuda

69B-Cuda

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I"m looking into one of these, trying to squeeze a bit more performance and mileage out of the Barracuda. I can get a Jacobs pro-street setup locally for 125 (used of course) Question I have, there seems to be a lot more MSD out there, is that because they are better or just cheaper?

I realize that Jacobs got bought out, I'd assume you can still send it in and get it repaired if it takes a dump though....
 
I have the Jacobs "Pro-Street" unit and it totally kicks ***. The MSD units have the name and marketing over everybody. There ALOT cheaper than the Jacobs. There also alot simpler of a system being there just a capaciter (SP!) discharging when trigered in full.

The Jacobs is micro processor controled and very different in response to how much and often it "Needs" to strike or restrike. It uses the plug as a sensor to determin if the spark was blown out and needs to be refired.

I hooked my unit up to a '94 Hyundia Excel with a 5spd trans. It's top mileage was 42 MPG Hwy. traveling down south in Aug. to Atlanta, up 4 mpg's over stock. That was the only change made.

Don't assume about it's abilty to be serviced. Call and ask. I don't see them at the parent company's web site anymore. Prestolite/Mallory purchased them up and consumed there technolgy into the Accel/Mallory line.

Click this; http://www.prestoliteperformance.com/

Good luck.

FYI stuff;
http://www.carreview.com/mfr/jacobs/ignitions/PRD_22355_2890crx.aspx

http://archivesearch.imperialclub.com/archives/msg91613.html

http://www.streetperformance.com/pa...gnition-box-control-module/691043-370506.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thpyj0JHrRk
 
thanks Rumblefish! I saw on their website that they have jacobs stuff listed but when you go to the parts repair form, jacobs is not one of the logos... I have a call into them. I'd like to try the Jacobs but, don/t want to drop the $$ if it is a throw away unit.
 
That is a choice I'll not make for you. You'll have to figure out if it's worth it IF it should fail and you can not get it fixed. IF I could not get it fixed, then I'd skip it just a "Just incase bassis."
Ask Accel if they'l fix it just incase.

It's an electronic/electrical device. They can fail like anyother product out there. My personal bain is MSD, I'll never ever use them again.

http://www.jacobselectronics.com/CatalogsList.aspx?BrandID=13
 
Actually, try Mallory, not that it should make a difference being owned by prestolite.

The mallory "EZ" systems have the jacobs hook ups. Not so much the accel stuff. The Accel semms to have used the micro processor tech.
 
I've used msd systems on my cars for years,they flat out work..as far as which is better,go to the track and see what guys who race for a living are running i'll bet you'll find msd's under the hood of just about every car..
 
I'll have to check out Mallory, I have some of their unilite dist modules, one in my wife's 68 Mustang and a Mallory unilite dist in my 59 Suburban. I was thinking the Jacobs might help the Suburban, it fouls the rear plug on the pass side.... even with new heads and 150# of compression, maybe the oil scraper ring....
 
1. Assuming you have Mopar electronic ignition now, and it is in good shape, I wouldn't expect miracles with either system. It would take a lot of miles to save $125 in gas.

2. Add the cost of an appropriate coil. There are various high-ratio aftermarket coils that will work well with the Mopar orange or chrome box, so consider that.

3. High power ignitions require more power to operate. This comes from somewhere (alternator) but is usually not an issue unless you go overboard. (An MSD 7 series system on a street engine is overkill)

4. High power ignitions require higher quality wires, caps and rotors. This stuff ain't cheap. OEM ignition will do better with the high quality stuff, so start there.

5. Call Jacobs and see if they'll support the used system. They used to have a pretty good warranty, but that was years ago. I fear used electronics.

I'm not trying to bash MSD or Jacobs, but I think you could you could probably do better with your money.

BTW if you do decide to upgrade your ignition, consider Mallory's fine products as well. Yes, they are more expensive, but the quality is there.
 
stroked 340 said:
I've used msd systems on my cars for years,they flat out work..as far as which is better,go to the track and see what guys who race for a living are running i'll bet you'll find msd's under the hood of just about every car..
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pro racers would use MSD or similar systems since the jacobs systems were never marketed to them. Not to mention, there pricey and lack a name and billions in advertisement.

Proof of this is also seen in the "Me too" crowd beileveing there crap is better than ours. Who are they? Chevy.

Also, drag racing equipment isn't allways the best thing for a street ride.
 
I currently have a Mopar electronic dizzy, (adjustable vacuum can), Mopar orange box, Accel supercoil (big yellow thing) and I yellow accel plug wires. Cap and rotor are probably Echlin from Napa. I'm looking for a little increase in mileage... as a daily driver, if I can squeeze a bit more MPG out of it, it keeps the wife happy!
 
rumblefish360 said:
pro racers would use MSD or similar systems since the jacobs systems were never marketed to them. Not to mention, there pricey and lack a name and billions in advertisement.

I don't think nhra or nascar teams worry about the price of anything,they use what works best..hense msd..

Proof of this is also seen in the "Me too" crowd beileveing there crap is better than ours. Who are they? Chevy.

I know msd systems work better then any thing mopar has ever offered..

Also, drag racing equipment isn't allways the best thing for a street ride.
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It works quite well on my "street" car....:-D:-D:-D
 
Mallory is the way to go....great products, great price, none of the MSD failure B.S. to deal with...seen and heard way to many guys get shafted by msd and their products, and personally i think they are a "hype" company
 
mshred said:
Mallory is the way to go....great products, great price, none of the MSD failure B.S. to deal with...seen and heard way to many guys get shafted by msd and their products, and personally i think they are a "hype" company
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Do tell of all the msd failures that you know of,i'm curious exately what failed??.i've run 2 different systems on 2 different cars and know many guys using msd systems with no failures to speak of..
 
stroked 340 said:
Do tell of all the msd failures that you know of,i'm curious exately what failed??.i've run 2 different systems on 2 different cars and know many guys using msd systems with no failures to speak of..
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sure, my buddy's msd box malfunctioned and the inside had ended up frying out of nowhere...it is a STREET car just like yours and it happened while cruising on a regular main road...also, search MSD failures on yellowbullet.com and you will find pages upon pages of MSD failures, and then failures by MSD to fix those failures...ive yet to see those about Mallory...anywhere...every company has its downfalls in my opinion, but when it comes to electrical products i like to have peace of mind knowing something wont go wrong, and seeing MSD's track record lately they just arent it for me

why does it matter to you anyways...in your world, everything that YOU run is god send...all i said was i prefer mallory over msd, and you get defensive, as if you work for msd...do you? :toothy10:
 
mshred said:
sure, my buddy's msd box malfunctioned and the inside had ended up frying out of nowhere...it is a STREET car just like yours and it happened while cruising on a regular main road...also, search MSD failures on yellowbullet.com and you will find pages upon pages of MSD failures, and then failures by MSD to fix those failures...ive yet to see those about Mallory...anywhere...every company has its downfalls in my opinion, but when it comes to electrical products i like to have peace of mind knowing something wont go wrong, and seeing MSD's track record lately they just arent it for me

why does it matter to you anyways...in your world, everything that YOU run is god send...all i said was i prefer mallory over msd, and you get defensive, as if you work for msd...do you? :toothy10:
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No,i'm not getting defensive and i don't work for msd but i've NEVER seen any of the failures you speak of(not saying they don't happen just never saw one) ..maybe you should let the nhra/ ihra/ nascar guys know they're running the wrong ignition systems..God send no...i've just learned what works and what doesn't:-D:-D:-D
 
I've had 5 box failures, all new box's. 3 of which were repaired more than twice, 1 box 3 times. All have failed.

Of all the box's I have purchased, only one remains working. It's on my Dakota now.

It blows me away to see freinds of mine running box's near 20 years old.

Now that I think about it, if I was there only customer, they'd be outta biz.
 
stroked 340 said:
No,i'm not getting defensive and i don't work for msd but i've NEVER seen any of the failures you speak of(not saying they don't happen just never saw one) ..maybe you should let the nhra/ ihra/ nascar guys know they're running the wrong ignition systems..God send no...i've just learned what works and what doesn't:-D:-D:-D
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Is that the reason they all have back up systems? Because they're perfect to begin with? Seems to me running two systems as a fail safe shows a failure rate.

I think the gist of what was being said was that of "your results may vary." You've had good luck with MSD, others haven't. I've had luck running a straight up Chrysler system. Others haven't. Again: "your results may vary."
 
When watching reruns of the 2010 Daytona races you will see many ignition systems on passenger dash. All that I remember seeing this year was Mallory.

Mallory has treated me well from 1974 till now. So well that I have never bought a MSD.

Whip
 
My ex had her MSD fail in the middle of a SCCA Race. Dead box. I personally run Mallory stuff and am very happy with it. 0 failures in 28 years of using their boxes and distributors. I would stay away from the optical triggered dizzy's though. I've had a couple friends who've had trouble with theirs when they got dirty or wet.
 
rumblefish360 said:
I've had 5 box failures, all new box's. 3 of which were repaired more than twice, 1 box 3 times. All have failed.

Of all the box's I have purchased, only one remains working. It's on my Dakota now.

It blows me away to see freinds of mine running box's near 20 years old.

Now that I think about it, if I was there only customer, they'd be outta biz.
Click to expand...

yup, thats the usual story...

thats how i learned what works and what doesnt...when more than half the guys on the net have had experiences like this it makes ya wonder:toothy10:
 
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