MyE28.com

Putting an MSD in the M5.

Guess I'm not getting a trigger to fire?

Does anyone remember how they hooked theirs up?

I basically hooked up just like the diagram for ignition without points.

Where do you find a trigger source?

Gary

M5BB wrote:Putting an MSD in the M5.

Guess I'm not getting a trigger to fire?

Does anyone remember how they hooked theirs up?

I basically hooked up just like the diagram for ignition without points.

Where do you find a trigger source?

Gary

Gary,

I'm assuming you're installing the MSD 6A or 6AL (6201). If this is the case you use the white wire, connect it to the wire that was connected to the negative (-) post of the coil. The red wire to the MSD is connected to the wire that was connected to the positive (+) post of the coil. The orange and black wires from the MSD unit connect to the coil, orange to (+) and black to (-). The magnetic (green and violet) pickup wires are not used, same applies to the tach (gray) output wire. The wiring diagram can be found on Page 18 of the instruction sheet. Be certain that the violet wire is not grounded, see Page 6 for how this wire can be used for theft deterence. Also be certain you've cut one loop for cylinder select, see Page 5.

If the setup on Page 18 doesn't work, contact MSD for assistance.

Rich

Thanks Rich,

I missed the white wire connection.
Just not paying close attention to what it was saying.
Cant' work on it today although it would be a great day.
Raining here.
Three Chrsitmas parties today including my wife's office party at 6:30.
I'll report back tomorrow night when I get a chance to finish the hookup.

Have a great holiday.
Gary

i just hooked the 6a in the e30 up in place of the stock coil and that is pretty much all ya gotta do, id need to go back and look at the colors

Got it.

I was not seeing the smaller type next to the white wire connection where it indicated the original - coil wire. Duh.
Was thinking I had to find some other source to trigger.

Fired right up.
Haven't driven yet. Try it tomorrow.

Thanks Rich for showing me what I was supposed to read!

Gary

Good to hear the fix was easy.

If you read deeper into the manual you'll find information on how to use the trigger input for anti-theft. You can also setup the tach signal for a shift light.

Rich

Is there much of a discernible difference in running MSD instead of the factory ignition setup? I installed a 6AL on an E24 M635csi back in my early years wrenching but whether or not it made a difference is pretty foggy. I've thought about installing one on my M5. Opinions?

probably won't do much for a stock motor with a healthy ignition system, i did it on my e30 because its supercharged and it actually helped a probalm i was having. on a stock car it may help smooth idle with the extra spark events

S38Mike wrote:Is there much of a discernible difference in running MSD instead of the factory ignition setup? I installed a 6AL on an E24 M635csi back in my early years wrenching but whether or not it made a difference is pretty foggy. I've thought about installing one on my M5. Opinions?

S38Mike wrote:Is there much of a discernible difference in running MSD instead of the factory ignition setup? I installed a 6AL on an E24 M635csi back in my early years wrenching but whether or not it made a difference is pretty foggy. I've thought about installing one on my M5. Opinions?

I'm getting ready to do more to my already tweaked motor.
See my signature.
It ran great but will be putting more air and fuel through it so this was the easy first step.
Not worth the money unless you are running higher compression and cams.