INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3
AUTOTRONIC CONTROLS CORPORATION • 1490 HENRY BRENNAN DR., EL PASO, TEXAS 79936 • (915) 857-5200 • FAX (915) 857-3344
SPARK PLUGS AND WIRESSPARK PLUGS AND WIRES
SPARK PLUGS AND WIRESSPARK PLUGS AND WIRES
SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES
Spark plug wires are very important to the operation of the DIS Series Ignition. A good quality,
helically wound wire and proper routing are required to obtain the best performance from the
ignition. MSD recommends using a helically wound suppression type wire such as the MSD 8mm
Heli-Core or 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wire.
This type of wire provides a good path for the spark to follow while keeping Electro Magnetic
Interference (EMI) to a minimum. Excessive EMI, such as the amount that is produced by solid core
spark plug wires, will interfere with the operation of the MSD or other electronics on the vehicle.
NOTE: Solid Core spark plug wires cannot be used with an MSD Ignition.
Routing: Correct routing of the plug wires is also important to performance. Wires should be
routed away from sharp edges and engine heat sources. If there are two wires that are next to each
other in the engine's firing order, the wires should be routed away from each other to avoid inducing
a spark into the other wire.
To add more heat protection to the wires, MSD offers Pro Heat Guard, PN 3411. This is a glass woven
and silicone coated protective sleeve that can be slid over the plug wires. For extra protection to the
spark plug boots, MSD also offers Pro-Boot Guard, PN 3412.
Spark Plugs: Choosing the correct spark plug design and heat range is important when trying to
get the best performance possible. Since there are so many engine combinations and
manufacturers, MSD does not recommend which plug or gap is exactly right for your application.
MSD suggests that you follow the engine builder or manufacturer’s specification for spark plugs.
With that, you can then experiment with the plug gap to obtain the best performance. The gap of
the plugs can be opened in 0.005” increments, then tested until the best performance is obtained.
MSD judges the plug gap by compression and other variables. Every application is different and
should be tested and tuned.
MOUNTING
The MSD Ignition may be mounted in any location except on the engine or near the exhaust manifold.
Excessive heat at these locations may cause damage to the ignition. It can be mounted in any position.
It is not recommended to mount the unit in an enclosed area such as the glovebox. When selecting
a mounting location, make sure the cable harness will reach the battery and coils. When a suitable
location is found, hold the ignition in place and mark the location of the mounting holes. Using a 13/
64” drill bit, drill a hole in each of the locations marked and use the supplied hardware screws to
mount the ignition unit (Figure 1).
Figure 1 & 2 Mounting the MSD Ignition.
