This is a good mod if your ignition needs to be replaced. Otherwise, I don't know if it's worth the money. An MSD Control Box will run you close to $200, the coil $25, and the tach adapter $20. I was told the stock ignition is more than sufficient for the NA's, and that an upgraded ignition would only be necessary for a turbo. I was planning to do this mod before I was told this.

But my awesome friend who works at Checker bought me the control box for Christmas, and I went ahead with the rest and installed it.

The first time started up the car I was surprised. I had a very jumpy idle. Now I don't. I had rough starts before, but never had trouble starting, now it's smooth. Pops right up, drops a couple hundred rpm, and just sticks there. I haven't had the chance to take the car out yet, to test it at high RPM, but I am impressed so far.

I'm sure the healthy firing is due to a combination of two things: my old ignition was probably pretty worn out (though the coil showed the right resistance); and the MSD is obviously an upgrade from even a new stock ignition.

The MSD ignition is notorious for stopping tach operation, so they have made a Tach Adapter (part #8910...see red unit there?). At first, my tach didn't work even with the tach adapter installed. I followed directions verbatim. I asked MSD why it wouldn't work, and they sent me two more tach adapters, free of charge, which I wouldn't end up needing. They sent me 8910 HEI and an older version of the 8910, which was the same, just not covered with plastic. In other words, they didn't know how to fix my problem. But the old version of 8910 had one instruction that was different than what I received with the new version. There is a diode assembly that must be installed with the white strip facing away from the MSD control box on the white wire. It must be installed BEFORE the tach adapter, and not after. This simple difference made the tach work. Go here to see the difference in the setup instructions.

For theoretical info. on why the MSD is better, go here.