MSD Ignition Installation

Covers:
The MSD ignition system is an aftermarket ignition designed to improve the air/fuel combustion. Although there are several MSD units available, they all utilize multiple sparks rather then a single spark to ensure that the air/fuel mixture is fully burned.

The first generation Probe 4-cylinder has a pretty common ignition system that can be easily matched to MSD installation instructions and followed. However, in addition to the MSD ignition system, the Probe requires a special adapter to convert the trigger signal into signal that the fuel injection system and tachometer will recognize. The Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter (MSD 8910-PROBE) is not listed in any catalogs, but can be ordered by any company that sells MSD equipment. I ordered one from Summit Racing for $30 and two weeks of special order shipping time.

When installing, I found that the most difficult part was finding a place to mount the main unit. I found a nice, bare spot in the engine compartment along the left side of the frame, under the master brake cylinder. After drilling and mounting the unit, I needed another small mounting spot for the Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter. A small, bare square on the upper part of the rear of the engine compartment was perfect.
Note: The Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter produces a loud ticking sound that increases with the engine's rpm. This can clearly be heard in the passenger compartment due to this mounting location. I later added two thick rubber washers between the adapter and the car's frame. This solved the problem.
Overview
Note the two red wires and two black wires from the MSD ignition unit. The heavy red and heavy black wires are for the power and ground connections. The thinner red and black wires are for connecting the unit to the vehicle. The white wire from the MSD ignition unit is not used.

Required
Installation
  1. Mount the MSD ignition unit.
  2. Mount the Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter in a location that's away from heat, but within reach of the MSD ignition unit's wires.
  3. Disconnect the two wires (white/red & yellow/blue) that connect to the ignition coil.
  4. Connect the yellow/blue wire from the car to the black wire from the Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter.
  5. Connect the white/red wire from the car to the red wire from the MSD unit and the orange wire from the Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter.
  6. Connect the black wire from the MSD unit to the coil's negative terminal (originally yellow/blue wire).
  7. Connect the orange wire from the MSD unit to the coil's positive terminal (originally white/red wire).
  8. Connect the Magnetic Pickup Connector (harness with purple and green wires) from the MSD unit to the two green wires from the Tach/Fuel Injection Adapter.
  9. Connect the heavy red wire from the MSD unit directly to the vehicle's positive battery terminal. Do not connect behind a fuse.
  10. Connect the heavy black wire from the MSD unit to the vehicle's negative battery terminal or a solid ground on the chassis.
  11. Make sure all connections are water tight by using heat shrink tubing or electrical tape.


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