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MSD-6A MULTIPLE SPARK DISCHARGE IGNITION
A Technical Report

By Bryan Zublin Zublin Engineering 4772 Mt. Casas Drive San Diego, CA 92117 (619) 292-9727 bzublin@gi.com

May 6, 1997 Rev 0.2

Copyright 1997 Bryan Zublin This document may be freely copied and distributed provided that it is done so in its entirety. Any change, modification or editing is strictly prohibited without the writtenpermission of the author.

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................ 3 2. PUBLISHED SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 5 3. INPUT AND OUTPUT INTERFACE............................................................................................................. 6 4. MEASUREMENTS.......................................................................................................................................... 8 5.SCHEMATIC................................................................................................................................................. 12 6. PARTS LIST .................................................................................................................................................. 16 7. IMAGE FILES............................................................................................................................................... 20 8.REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................... 21

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B. Zublin MSD6A_02.DOC rev 0.2 06MAY97

1. Introduction

1.1 Scope
This document provides technical details of the MSD-6A ignition. Most of this information is electrical in nature, based on actual measurements and the schematic of my unit (reversed engineered). I am in no way affiliatedwith the makers of the MSD products (Autotronic Controls Corp.).

1.2 General
Autotronic Controls offers a wide range of MSD ignitions. This report focuses on the model MSD-6A which is their ignition for "street and race" applications. The various MSD-6A models are described in Table 1. The MSD-6T models are also listed as they are electrically identical. The are minor differences between theignitions designed for 8 cylinder applications and those designed for 4 and 6 cylinder applications.

Table 1 MSD-6A and MSD-6T Models

Model

Part Number 6200 6246 6400

Application

Features

MSD-6A MSD-6A MSD-6T

High Performance - Street/Race High RPM Race, 4 & 6 Cylinder High Performance - Circle Track

Standard model, 8 cylinder. Same as 6200, for 4&6 cylinder. Heavy duty, revlimiter interface, 8 cylinder. Same as 6400, for 4&6 cylinder.

MSD-6T

6446

High RPM Race - 4 & 6 Cylinder

Information based on MSD Ignition Catalog (1989-1990), reference [1].

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1.3 Sample Unit
All unit specific measurement data, descriptions, schematic, etc. are based on the model MSD-6A Multiple Spark capacitive Discharge ignition,part number 6200, with serial number 100273. This unit is referred to as the "sample unit." The unit was manufactured sometime between the 32nd week of 1987 (8732) and May 1988, based on the date code printed on some of the diodes. I purchased this unit in May, 1988, for $255.60 retail (with the “Blaster 2” coil). More recent prices are much lower; Summit Racing Equipment (reference [2]) and Jeg’High Performance (reference [3]) sell it s for $120 (less coil), quoted April 11, 1995. The coil used was the MSD “Blaster 2,” part number 8203. This coil is the typical cylindrical type coil (metal canister, oil filled). Summit Racing Equipment and Jeg’ High Performance sell it for $28, quoted s April 11, 1995.

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2. Published Specifications

2.1...