[1965stang]

Hey guys. I'm to the point in my restoration of my '65 mustang that I need to pick out an ignition system in order to turn it on for the first time. So, I want to get opinions on the different types/brands out there and what kind of performance/experience you've had with your particular ignition system. It's a '65 mustang with a late model 5.0 in it set up for carb. It'll be mostly a street application, but I want the performance to be there if I want to have a little fun

Here's some brands I've heard of/looked at/setup I've been suggested before: MSD, Mallory, stock distributor with Pertronix points to electronic ignition conversion. Big questions I have on the big name setups (MSD, Mallory, etc) is the benefit of using the ignition box + coil + distributor setup, vs. the stock setup with Pertronix conversion that doesn't have the box (although it is offered). I've been told that the ignition box setups are for race applications, but I've seen tons of people using these setups and absolutely love and rave about them and how they have no firing problems whatsoever. Pertronix also appears to have two or three options now, and I'm not sure of the differences.

So, what do you have, what do you like/dislike about it, who's junk and I should avoid, and what would you suggest and recommend to use for a good, dependable ignition system setup? Thanks in advance for any and all replies, I appreciate this forum for all the knowledgable people.

[msu68mustang]

I'll be switching to either the Pertronix I or III in my 68 soon. I've heard the II has problems so I would probably stay away from that. The III is just about to come out or has just come out and I haven't heard anything on it yet. The advantage you get with these is you still get the stock look and get rid of the points.

[66 restomod]

MSD was recommended to us as the most problem free set up.

I went with the MSD distributor, 6a box and coil.

[lswartzi]

I installed a Petronix I about two years ago. It works so well I forget its there. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[mccance]

I used the pertronix one for about 7 years with no problems then I started having problems with burning my rotor. I was using the flamethrower coil and that may have been too hot of a coil. but anyway since everything else under my hood was aftermarket I decided to go with MSD I used the digital e-curve which basically has the 6 AL box built into the distributor so you don't need to buy both. It has worked great for the last year. no problems the car runs perfect every time. and since It seems to sit a lot in the garage these days that is a good thing.

[66Sprint200]

I have Pertronix 1 and pertronix 1 wires on my engine, and I think they are fantastic. I haven't upgraded my coil, but I don't think I am going to, I have heard that some of them have problems. Plus my current coil works fine. If anything, I will just replace it with a similar coil. I don't like MSD because they have to have the big box stuck on the side wall right next to the engine. My pertronix is totally hidden, especially because I covered the coloured wires with black electrical tape to make it blend in. I would go with Pertronix 1.

[1965stang]

Good info guys, keep it coming. So far, it's showing that most of you prefer the Pertronix points replacement on a stock setup, both for looks (or lack thereof, being hidden) and good dependable performance. As msu68mustang stated, I too have read about issues from the Pertronix II. Anybody know the differences between the 1 and the 3? I haven't read a great deal on it yet, as I didn't know what to focus on.

66 restomod, who recommended the MSD to you, and what made you lean more towards them? Have you installed it yet?

Also, specifically to the coil, what's recommended to use? I've seen aftermarket reproduction coils, "yellow top" replacement coils like the originals, and then everybody's brand has their own (MSD's got their own, Pertronix has their own, etc) and there's also varying levels of different ones (like each brand has two or three different levels of coils).

Mccance, you said you had too hot of a coil. How do you know what kind of coil to pick out for your application? Also, could you elaborate on your MSD system, as I haven't seen the 6AL and distributor combo kit before? I've only seen the blaster box and distributor separately.

Sorry for all the questions, I've just never dealt with these ignition systems before and don't want to shoot myself in the foot by being misinformed and getting the wrong thing.

[mccance]

here is a link to the digital e-curve distributor. it has worked well for me.
MSD Ignition 8503 - MSD Digital E-Curve Pro Billet Distributors
as far as the coil is concerned. I do not know for sure that the coil was too hot but I kept burning my rotor tips after I switched to the pertronix 40,000 volt coil. It just seemed to start after I put the new coil on. then after it happened a few times I considered switching back to an original coil but then I saw this new distributor and it had the small top so it would fit in front of the carburetor enclosure and I liked the idea that it did not need the 6aL box so I bought it. it was a little confusing trying to figure which advance curve I wanted to use with the supercharger but I called there tech support number and they helped me select the right curve. it is very easy to adjust.

[sav_syn_sptz]

i put in a msd ready run distributor, msd wires and msd coil. gotta say its night and day from the Pertronix that was in my car. my pertronix went out and i went with msd due to thats what my friends are running in their cars cost more but i think it was worth it

[65BlueHorse]

I have the pertronix 2 with flame thrower coil. The only promblem i have had with it is that the air gap has to be set perfect but it has worked great for 7 months now with no problems. I think any of the pertronix would be a good upgrade. I also like how its hidden in the distrubuter and there is no box.

[bubbamace]

I have the MSD ignition and couldn't be happier. I bought the MSD 6al box, the Pro billet distributor and the red MSD coil. I haven't had a problem. The car starts up right away and runs strong. 5 years ago when I was making up my mind what ignition to run, I went through my magazines and saw what the majority of racers, street cars, etc were running and having great success with and it was defintetly MSD. The box has a RPM limiter and other items making it a great box. If you step up from there, you can get a box that helps with timing for NOS. My car is just a street car and usually gets run just short distances, which are harder on a car than the freeway and no problems. Good luck with your decision.

[66 restomod]

Originally Posted by 1965stang

66 restomod, who recommended the MSD to you, and what made you lean more towards them? Have you installed it yet?

The shop that built the motor gave the recommendation. They had access to many manufacturers but said that they preferred MSD and ran it in the shops race cars.
It is installed and the engine only has about 2 hours on it.
Pictures:
engine install

Ron
Christophers 66 Mustang Restoration and Modification

[1965stang]

Bubbamace - that's the exact situation that I'm in right now. Up until this point, I've seen MSD stuff in a lot of applications in different cars/at shows/etc. That had led me to believe that's what I should go with, they seemed to be the big guys out there. Realizing that Pertronix is hidden so I probably wouldn't have noticed it before, now that I started asking questions a week or so ago, there's tons of people recommending the Pertronix points conversion, most saying go with Pertronix 1.

I went on MSD's and Pertronix's websites tonight to check their hours, as I also want to call each company and inquire about their products. The Pertronix 3 was released on March 23, if anybody's wondering.

Sav syn sptz - what gave you issues on the pertronix that made you switch to MSD? Also, what gave you the opinion of night and day differences, since you've had both types?

I'm starting to get the feeling that between the brands, it's personal preference. No one's really come out and said one is definitely better than the other. Problem is, I've had neither, don't have experience with these aftermarket ignition systems, and I'm stumped as to what to look for to form a solid opinion of one or the other.

Thanks to everyone that has responded thus far, and to those that will. I appreciate the opinions everyone has of their individual applications and look forward to continuing what looks to be now the MSD vs. Pertronix debate.

[gtjoe]

I and a friend have used the pertronix drop in conversion with no problems. However, for more performance, I'm going to go with MSD. Everyone I know with performance applications run the MSD setup, either the ready to run or their billet with the 6AL box.

[sav_syn_sptz]

Sav syn sptz - what gave you issues on the pertronix that made you switch to MSD? Also, what gave you the opinion of night and day differences, since you've had both types?


when i got my car it had all petronix and it really ran like crap. i cant blame it all on that cause the people i got my car from didnt know how to do anything and i had issues with vacuum leaks and no pvc valve. they had only had the pertronix in a year

i had fixed the leaks and the other small issues and it ran ok then the petronix went out but then i replaced it with the msd(distributor,coil,wires) and it seemed like a different car better responce better gas milage sounded better. wish i had had video of the before and after.

i have nothing against pertronix as you can see there is alot of people that like it.youll get get both sides sayin each is better its like "holley vs edelbrock" "ford vs chevy" in the end its your choice