MSD 8236 Blaster Coil test and review

[dtbrown]

With all the mods I have I figured it was time for a coil upgrade. I decided on the MSD hoping performance for value would be good. With little to no reviews or stock coil specifications I wanted to test the coil within what I have available.

I know not the best test and not conclusive but here is my findings. And I'm open to suggesting on how else to test.

Sparkplugs are Brisk Premium Evo DR14BSXC plugs

First test:
I have an IDEAL 600v AC multi-meter and I unplugged the coil from cylinder head and tested each coil with starting the car voltage. I tested each coil twice with letting the battery charge in between then averaged the numbers.

Stock coil
Cyl1 avg 33v
Cyl2 avg 32v
Cyl3 avg 48v
Cyl4 avg 39v

MSD coil
Cyl1 avg 50v
Cyl2 avg 45v
Cyl3 avg 51v
Cyl4 avg 58v

Second test:
16.3 mile highway round trip same day average MPG at 70 mph 84-87 deg with AC on.

Stock Coil first 7.6 mile stretch 41.2mpg, full 16.3 mile test 37.7

MSD Coil first 7.6 mile stretch 42.1mpg, full 16.3 mile test 37.7

Overall the MPG test was inconclusive.

But with having a full exhaust I can feel the engine in general more and with switching to the MSD coil the idle, normal acceleration, WOT and highway under cruise control it's noticeable improvement in smoothness. Overall it feels much smoother across the board. And I was surprised I even noticed it.

I'm open to suggestions on how additional ways to test. But for the money it's a good upgrade IMO.

 

[YouBeTailsIllBeSonic]

Thank you! This confirms what I had already suspected. That voltage increase over stock is very impressive.

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[dtbrown]

Yes it definitely is. Now when I moved to brisk plugs over 10k miles ago it was a nice improvement in MPG and performance already so coupled with thr MSD my results may not be as much compared to someone still using iridium or copper.

Thank you! This confirms what I had already suspected. That voltage increase over stock is very impressive.

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[YouBeTailsIllBeSonic]

Brisk? This is new to me....went to copper before I put the coil pack in. Is this another new alternative?

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[dtbrown]

They've been around since 1935 and huge in Europe. I think in the states for 10-15 years. But tried them and was impressed actually saw mpg gain. Run in my motorcycle too. Only company with very unique technology. When I called the rep was familiar with cruze and sonic and with being moded they recommended the Premium Evo DR14BSXC or LGS-T.

Been running them over 10k miles and they run great. Fixed my spark blow out with stock plugs and no gaping.

https://www.briskusa.com/spark_plug/dr14bsxc_spark_plug

Brisk? This is new to me....went to copper before I put the coil pack in. Is this another new alternative?

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[YouBeTailsIllBeSonic]

Very interesting indeed! I may give them a try eventually. The reviews on Amazon dont look good, but it sounds like that is engine specific. If you are having good experience with them then thats a good sign.

I'm running copper plugs currently, and have to at minimum re gap every oil change....

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[dtbrown]

Yeah when I did my research on brisk I read some of the negative reviews but they were so odd and one off. Onerall most feedback was good.

I first tried the LGS series trying to get some mpg's as from day one of getting car which had 3k miles from dealer it would never crack 30mpg and never quite idled right. To find out I had the Infamous cracked piston. But when the motor was damaged it also damaged the spark plug due to oil in the piston. After the motor was rebuilt under warranty I called brisk and told them what happened and what my mods were going to be and they replace the plugs for free and recommended a colder Evo plug.

So my experience with their customer service alone has been great and I currently have multi spark running in my motorcycle, EVO in my Sonic and my 2018 Terrain 2.4 liter TURBO GOR OVER 10k miles all no issues. Now I'll consult them if I decide to go to the gt250 BNR Turbo as they might recommend their silver racing plug which does need to be gapped.

Also these videos like this you're pretty awesome showing off the design.

https://youtu.be/EL7Isr5swqw

QUOTE=YouBeTailsIllBeSonic;398444]Very interesting indeed! I may give them a try eventually. The reviews on Amazon dont look good, but it sounds like that is engine specific. If you are having good experience with them then thats a good sign.

I'm running copper plugs currently, and have to at minimum re gap every oil change....

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

 

[MatthewMenze]

Can you expand on how you measured the output voltage of the coil? The ignition output should be thousands of volts, not tens.

I assume you had the volt meter set to AC, and then captured RMS voltage while cranking, effectively averaging the output pulse voltage over the entire ignition cycle?

I'm surprised you didn't damage the meter, though maybe it has internal protection from such transient spikes.

 

[Muz]

Can you expand on how you measured the output voltage of the coil? The ignition output should be thousands of volts, not tens.

I assume you had the volt meter set to AC, and then captured RMS voltage while cranking, effectively averaging the output pulse voltage over the entire ignition cycle?

I'm surprised you didn't damage the meter, though maybe it has internal protection from such transient spikes.

I too would like clarification on voltage

 

[Gavkat09]

Is there any other band units other then the msd unit

 

[dtbrown]

I too would like clarification on voltage

Yes to what he said. Not perfectly accurate test as multimeter isn't designed to read that high of AC voltage but with the msd it would hit protect vs stock coil wouldn't.

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[dtbrown]

Is there any other band units other then the msd unit

I haven't seen anything other than stock or oem replacement units or just the msd.

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[JTee2017]

Yes to what he said. Not perfectly accurate test as multimeter isn't designed to read that high of AC voltage but with the msd it would hit protect vs stock coil wouldn't.

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It would be better to use a high voltage 40KV probe with the multimeter.

Or an oscilloscope with a high voltage probe like was used on Cathode Ray Tubes . . . .

Of course. . . those probes are pricey.