MSD Digital ignition testers ?

[thirdgenone]

Are these useful when setting up your ignition? If so which one is better to use with a 7531 box?
MSD 8996 or MSD 8998

[Sparky]

I have in the past use the MSD 8996.
With the MSD Graph-View software and the Ignition Tester hooked to the Ignition, you can expand the Gauge window on the Graph-View software and check retards, shift light and RPM activated switches. It’s a little more convenient then having to fire the engine to check all of the above, especially if it’s late at night. Furthermore, this is a good way to check out the box, coil and wiring.
But once these items are proved out, you should fire the engine to make sure its all in working order as well.

I hope this helps
Sparky

[thirdgenone]

Thanks for the info.
I also have another question? Could a spark leak from the coil wire act or feel like a rev limeter is activating at higher RPM'S. It's a boosted application.

[Bill Glidden]

Are these useful when setting up your ignition? If so which one is better to use with a 7531 box?
MSD 8996 or MSD 8998
Yes they are very handy! Don't leave home without one, BG

[Sparky]

thirdgenone,
Your questions a bit vague, although it isn’t uncommon for Spark to leak under high load conditions, a miss or series of misses can feel like an RPM limit of sort.
I have a couple of questions that may help you.
How old are the wires on your current set-up? It’s usually recommended that you change plug wires at least once a year. The coil wire should be changed at least twice a year, being that it is used to distribute the spark to the eight plug wires.
What type of plug wires and boots are you using? MSD wires have boots on their wires that fit tightly around the poles on the cap and there is usually a designated Coil Wire Boot, this boot has the MSD logo on the boot and fits tightly around the Coil pole. If you don’t use this boot, when you get to close to the coil while the engine is running, the coil will reach out and touch you, trust me, I have had it happen.
Which Coil are you currently using? The HVC coil, which has the steel band around it (known as an E core style Coil), should have the housing grounded to the chassis of the Racecar, failure to do this can cause problems as well.

I hope this helps,
Sparky

[Sparky]

Billy G,
Hey man! thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world. It's good to see you cruise through other parts of the board and offer up some advice.
You and Shannon take care and we wil talk with you soon
Sparky

[thirdgenone]

The wires are MSD & the boots are MSD but, they are a year old (probably the culprit). The coil is a HVC II and not grounded i'll do that also.

The problem was occuring at higher RPM'S approx 7000 to 7300 it felt like the high end limiter was activating but it's set at 8000. As far as I could find all the slew and other limiters not being used are off.(did'nt have a problem last year with this program). So I brought the car home and when sarting it I could hear an arcing, and found the coil wire was arcing over to the intercooler. Thanks again

[Sparky]

There really is no need to ground a HVC II Coil. It is all plastic and grounding it really doesn't do much for plastic, except keep static electricity away, which I don't think we cause a problem.