I'm toying with updating my current 6AL to something more modern.

Car has a SBC, crank trigger, HVCII coil. It's a bracket car, so all I really need is an ingnition that has a launch RPM and a high side rev limiter.

I've never had an issue with my 6AL, so I'm not even sure I should update.

So, thoughts on upgrading, and recommendations should I do so.

I have a 6AL in my door car. I've thought about going to the Grid system which would be nice in many ways, but I love being able to quickly turn a knob to change my RPM in 100 RPM increments between 2800-3200 when bottom-bulbing. For that reason, I've stuck with old reliable.

Ole reliable >> 6AL. Same. Just turn the ka knob here also. Not broke, no fix needed

quote:

Originally posted by Lenny5160:
I have a 6AL in my door car. I've thought about going to the Grid system which would be nice in many ways, but I love being able to quickly turn a knob to change my RPM in 100 RPM increments between 2800-3200 when bottom-bulbing.

They make an add on box to do that. Change in 50 rpm increments in seconds. Works great.

If you do not need or want shift rpm adjustments in 1 rpm increments, launch rpm in 50 rpm increments, launch or nitrous retards, timer outputs and data acquisition of all the ignition controls, then programmable ignition is Not what you want imho.

A Great MSD analog upgrade would be the new MSD 7330 imo. Much higher Millijoules output than 6al with built in 3 step, rpm output and retard features.

Even a MSD 7222 would be worth considering.

Spend $500 at Jegs and save $50 now.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: markemark,

Probably a good waste of money. I have a 6al with a blaster SS coil on my alky sbc that runs 4.70s in dragster with no problems or thoughts of upgrades.

What about the 6530 6al-2 programmable? Been thinking about replacing the 7al in my dragster with this box.

If your looking to do just the basics what you have is fine. If your looking to just upgrade look into a msd 6al-2, they offer a few different versions (one is programble with a computer).

Imo no reason to get fancy if it’s not wanted.

Ran 8.67 in a my door car with a 6AL and Black Blaster 2 coil. Wanted to play with timing so i put a grid in, both boxes, updated the coil. Ran 8.68. Unless you want to play with launch retards, steps, etc, keep running the 6.

I use the 6AL and considered updating...and then reality hit. I have spares of all of my ignition, and I have never used them. It's simple,reliable and cheap. I'm slow bracket racing so there's really nothing to be gained. i'd say the only upgrade I might do is go to an HVC coil which others have had good results with.

Keep what you have, it was made in the USA, unlike most of the new MSD stuff. And the old 6AL boxes are some of the best made.

If you want to look at the programming tree for MSD programmable ignition (Not Grid) go HERE and select MSD Pro-Data+ Software under the Ignitions Tab to download the program. In the program, open the product number of the ignition you want to look at and then you can see all the features available prior to purchasing.

Not saying Programmable Ignition is better or worse than Analog, just saying here’s where to look at what is available.

Why not use a Power Grid controller to ‘drive’ your 6AL? Been doing that for 3+ years with absolutely no problems whatsoever.
I kept my old reliable 6AL, and gained a lot of timing control, basic data logging, etc.

David – I have never raced you but I have raced your brother. Both of you guys have a great program and from a distance you appear to be well sorted. If you are going to change, go with the Grid. Don’t get caught up in all the fancy features at first, just use the basics then learn to use the data to get your program even better with the small tweaks a Grid offers. I will be at the Fox Hunt if you want to talk about it. I have been the whole gambit with this thing.