MSD 8236 coil pack - any experience?

cwhaiyan

cwhaiyan

Member
No personal experience but a couple guys on the Gamma II FB page have installed it and like it they say it seems to be better quality over the OEM

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palpullero

Member
Thank you guys for the replies. I am looking to improve the spark in the ignition but nothing too drastic. I've read that MSD units can have adverse effects, even frying some ECUs but I believe this is when programmable MSD units are used; this one seems a pretty basic replacement, although they may be using capacitive discharge. I'm going to give them a call and find out.
 
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palpullero

Member
YouBeTailsIllBeSonic said:
Why is capacitive discharge a dangerous thing?

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I don't think that in itself is dangerous; it's the programmable MSD boxes that, when not used correclty, seem to have caused issues. Capacitive discharge is fine unless the voltage it generates is way too high (probably its fine for this application).
 
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BigLee

Member
If the quality of many of their other products is an indication, I'd always keep the stock coil asy. And a torx driver handy in the car....
 
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palpullero

Member
I decided to go with an NGK/DELPHI unit, although I didn't need it; I just wanted to perform preventive maintenance. New IRIDIUM spark plugs too and its running great! I agree with BigLee: don't risk it with MSD; their reviews have been very scary!
 
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JWV

New member
I just got my msd coil pack yesterday and installed it. Seems to be a very nicely built unit. Worth the extra 25-30$ over the factory model in my opinion. I was having misfires and a tick at idle. Replaced coil and plugs last night. Today misfire and tick are gone.
 
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palpullero

Member
JWV said:
I just got my msd coil pack yesterday and installed it. Seems to be a very nicely built unit. Worth the extra 25-30$ over the factory model in my opinion. I was having misfires and a tick at idle. Replaced coil and plugs last night. Today misfire and tick are gone.
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How does it feel driving it around? Is the engine smoother?
 
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BigLee

Member
palpullero said:
I decided to go with an NGK/DELPHI unit, although I didn't need it; I just wanted to perform preventive maintenance. New IRIDIUM spark plugs too and its running great! I agree with BigLee: don't risk it with MSD; their reviews have been very scary!
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Most of MSD's failure issues seemed to be with their add-on CD multi-spark ignition boxes for distributor systems several years back. The 6-series boxes in particular were failure prone. So much so that many hotrodders were keeping the stock ign. module and other components mounted and wired for quick switchover back to stock if or when the MSD died.
I dont know if these issues carry over to their other ign. products, such as their "upgrade" inductive coil line.
So maybe these coils will hold up over time.
We'll just have to wait and see...

It's hard to determine the quality of such a product by looking at its external appearance.
It could be the nicest looking coil pack you've ever seen, and you still end up with a failure Just a few months later.
 
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JudgeDreadLocks

Member
Anyone have any input on if this is comparable to the BNR coil pack upgrade? It would be used I conjunction with the BNR tune, wastegate actuator and K&N CAI. Wouldn't mind saving a few hundred dollars if I can get similar performance out of the tune with this coil pack.
 
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Suaveat69

New member
Probably better spark output out of the BNR. With those coils you can change dwell time ect.

I do not know if you can with these factory coils.
 
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JudgeDreadLocks

Member
Suaveat69 said:
Probably better spark output out of the BNR. With those coils you can change dwell time ect.

I do not know if you can with these factory coils.
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Thanks for the input. I figure all considered, the BNR coil upgrade will be the better performing option per se, but is it overkill considering I don't have other supporting mods? I feel like it would be bottlenecked, and dollar per performance, I can't help but wonder if MSD coil pack would be a 'better' option. Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated.
 
cwhaiyan

cwhaiyan

Member
JudgeDreadLocks said:
Anyone have any input on if this is comparable to the BNR coil pack upgrade? It would be used I conjunction with the BNR tune, wastegate actuator and K&N CAI. Wouldn't mind saving a few hundred dollars if I can get similar performance out of the tune with this coil pack.
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This is a OEM replacement it is not even close to the BNR LS7 upgrade

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dtbrown

Member
JudgeDreadLocks said:
Thanks for the input. I figure all considered, the BNR coil upgrade will be the better performing option per se, but is it overkill considering I don't have other supporting mods? I feel like it would be bottlenecked, and dollar per performance, I can't help but wonder if MSD coil pack would be a 'better' option. Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated.
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The MSD Blaster coil is no comparison to the LS7 coils but in my test the MSD is definitely an upgrade to the stock coil with smoother idle and overall smoother acceleration. But no real gains at least with the stock turbo. And I have every mod you listed and more.

For $100 the MSD coil is one of those upgrades that's negligible to notice for most people. And the LS7 coils for the price if you're going crazy with upgrades it's one of those costs if you have the extra money might as well to get the most out of your mods.

Personally I'm cool spending the difference in other mods as i still remind myself it's still a sonic 1.4l turbo and yeah faster than stock considerably and much more fun to drive but a slow car nonetheless. I just enjoy the tinkering.
 
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JudgeDreadLocks

Member
dtbrown said:
The MSD Blaster coil is no comparison to the LS7 coils but in my test the MSD is definitely an upgrade to the stock coil with smoother idle and overall smoother acceleration. But no real gains at least with the stock turbo. And I have every mod you listed and more.

For $100 the MSD coil is one of those upgrades that's negligible to notice for most people. And the LS7 coils for the price if you're going crazy with upgrades it's one of those costs if you have the extra money might as well to get the most out of your mods.

Personally I'm cool spending the difference in other mods as i still remind myself it's still a sonic 1.4l turbo and yeah faster than stock considerably and much more fun to drive but a slow car nonetheless. I just enjoy the tinkering.
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Thanks, I appreciate the input. I went ahead and ordered the BNR upgrade, hoping I see noticeable difference. Ultimately I want mods that are easily reversible in case I need to take it in for warranty, so this will probably be my last upgrade for a while. Thanks again for your input, and sorry for hijacking the thread.
 
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