83 280zx NA distributer and MSD 6al help

[280Zen]

ok, I've done searches but can't seem to find the info I need, Im trying to wire up a MSD 6al to my stock 83 NA. which wires need to be run to the distributer? Violet/green or run the white wire to the original -coil wire?

 

Also if anyone has done this will I need the tach adapter?

 

Thanks

 

John

[datsunlover]

I found this in my 'notes' folder (I have a bunch of text info copied and saved from this site, over the last few years) I can't remember who wrote it, and can't vouch for it's accuracy as I have not done it yet..

 

Using 280zx Dizzy with MSD Ign. box. (cut RED loop on MSD rev-limiter)

 

 

1. MSD heavy guage red and black wires to battery + and good ground (I grounded it to the wheel well) respectively

2. MSD light gauge orange and black wires to coil + and - respectively

3. Stock coil + wire (black with white stripe) taken off coil and connected to MSD light gauge red wire (you will also probably want to splice your tach key-on 12v source wire here)

4. Stock coil - wire (black) stays on coil - with MSD light guage black wire. ALTERNATIVELY you can hook this wire to the MSD light gauge white wire, although the manual says not to do this (you'll see why in a minute) it worked fine for me though either way, also I read that your car will run better if you DO connect it to the white wire. If you're at all worried you can just leave this wire disconnected and the car should still run. (I would like another oppinion on the 'best' way to wire these)

5. TAKE THE MODULE FROM THE ZX DISTRIBUTOR OFF!!! There are two wires that connect into it coming from inside the dizzy, red and green. (one less part to worry about!)

6. Connect the purple and green magnetic pickup wires to the wires that were connected to the distributor module, purple to red and green to green. (this is why the manual says not to hook up the light gauge white wire... it says not to use the white wire and the magnetic pickup wires at the same time *shrug* worked fine for me when I hooked it up though)

7. Tach signal wire plugs into the MSD box right next to the magnetic pickup wires.

 

 

NOT Using MSD BOX;

 

(NOTE: This is basicaly using the zx dizzy as an upgrade for 78 or older Z. This is what I have done right now..)

 

Take the wire that was originally going to your points (from the minus pole of the coil) and connect it to the C connection on the outside of the ignition module. Then run a second wire from the B terminal on the ignition module to the plus connection of the coil. The connection to the balast resistor from the coil should allready be there. Now, just short out the balast resistor. I left mine in place and simply ran a wire between the two connectors.

 

 

Hope this helps..

[280Zen]

Datsunlover I have the wires to the battery, the orange/black to the coil Red to the 12volt switched ign source and the violet/green to my distributer but got no start. I followed the instructions for testing. I have 12 volts both at ign on and cranking. When I tried testing the violet/green wire test I would get no spark but heard clicking from the MSD unit. I know the coil is good since the car runs in the stock setup.

[Kazuya1274]

Datsunlover, thanks for the information. I am about to do this exact install myself, except I have the Blaster 2 coil for my setup. But the directions did not mention if a tach adapter is needed. I've already bought the 8910 tach adapter. If I follow this exact install, will my stock tach work without the tach adapter?

 

280Zen, good luck with your install and let us know if you get that problem hunted down. You can also try calling MSD, I have had good luck talking with them before, when I asked them something about plug wires.

[datsunlover]

I found this in my 'notes' folder (I have a bunch of text info copied and saved from this site, over the last few years) I can't remember who wrote it, and can't vouch for it's accuracy as I have not done it yet.. ..

 

Sorry guys, like I said, I have yet to instal the MSD box, and currently I'm just running the zx dizzy and factory wiring to my tach. Hopefully someone else can give more details on this.. I'm sure SOMEONE here has done, or is running this setup...

[280Zen]

According to MDS Tech support the MDS unit may be bad so I am going to send it in for repair/diagnosis. I will let everyone know what happens when I get the unit back. After I get the MSD running I plan on then upgrading to Megasquirt.

[JMortensen]

I have a NA distributor triggering the MSD, but it is on an earlier 80 distributor. IIRC there is a timing retard function built into the later distributor (4 wires on the module vs 2 on the earlier one). I've been watching this but didn't want to say anything because I'm not sure that this is the source of your problem. Maybe someone who knows more about the later ECU can tell you if you can do something with those extra 2 wires or what. Sorry, that's all I got.

[280Zen]

jmortensen, Thanks for chiming in. If you take the matchbook module off from the 82/83 NA there is only two wires, Green and Red. The Turbo unit has more though, I think it has 4 wires.