Anyone here setup HEI and a MSD on their 87-91 tbi small block??

[Vbb199]

As the title states, I'm looking for real legit input on someone who's setup hei and a MSD module on the tbi truck, and it actually worked and played nice with the ecm.

As time moves forward with my suburban, I'm now moving onto a 600hp 700r4 that'll bang thru gears with all the components I've outlined in every thread on this forum, becsuse quite frankly, I'm a giddy as a little kid to move onto a stout hard shifting 700r4.

I have a healthy small block 350 that makes 333hp already in the frame rails. (we've also ALL heard that story from me 100 times)

I want to upgrade to a high performance prom chip next up, and push those HP and torque numbers up higher.

Estimating at 420 ft lbs and 380 HP.

The final mod I want to do is ditch the cheesy ESC (electronic spark control), and let a MSD box Control my timing, if I'm able to tune my spark a little better to the torque/HP curves of the motor, I feel I could make even more power, rather than default timing advance numbers based off of a stock small block.

My question to viewers that have had legit experience with ignition boxes and hei on a tbi.....

How do I do it?

Should I wait before I have this prom chip burned until I have the hei? So I can tell the chip programmer to delete the esc functionality??

I just don't wanna apply "x" amount of timing advance from the MSD, and then the ecm tells the tbi injectors to lean out all of a sudden at WOT and I backfire and burn a hole in my piston....


Any input would be really appreciated from anyone with experience in this particular subject.

Thanks.

 

[bucket]

Most performance PROM chips will change the timing curve too. Actually, I think that's basically the only thing most of the Hypertech type chips ever did was modify the timing curve.

Who is going to burn the chip?

 

[Vbb199]

Most performance PROM chips will change the timing curve too. Actually, I think that's basically the only thing most of the Hypertech type chips ever did was modify the timing curve.

Who is going to burn the chip?

Some weirdo off a forum I'm a member of on FB that's done them for other members and has a good rep with the community (it's a k5 forum) ..... Just another basement dweller with the equipment lol



Do you know anyone about adding hei or a msd on a tbi?
I was gonna tag you, @HotRodPC , and @89Suburban

Because yall seem like the only people on this forum who's messed with 87-91 tbi trucks other than me.


He said he could alter lockup to occur after 45mph, which I was fine with me for city driving , delete the EGR, and some other variables if I wanted to specify

Chip was like 75$

 

[bucket]

I've always just ran stock type ignition with a better coil.

Doesn't MSD sell a harness that plugs right into the small-cap style HEI?

 

[Vbb199]

I've always just ran stock type ignition with a better coil.

Doesn't MSD sell a harness that plugs right into the small-cap style HEI?

I think so?

That cheesy Jacob's ignition I have off the 87 was adapted to the tbi...
But I have no idea how it performed, I just know the motor fired up

 

[Vbb199]

I just need something that'll play nice with the ECM

 

[skysurfer]

Doesn't MSD sell a harness that plugs right into the small-cap style HEI?

You talking about hooking up a typical MSD box or something else? I'm running a MSD 6A box with MSD 8226 coil. Using the 8876 wiring harness it was plug-and-play. Installed this in April 2008 and it's still going with zero problems.

 

[Vbb199]

You talking about hooking up a typical MSD box or something else? I'm running a MSD 6A box with MSD 8226 coil. Using the 8876 wiring harness it was plug-and-play. Installed this in April 2008 and it's still going with zero problems.

Is this in a throttle body injection truck?

 

[skysurfer]

Is this in a throttle body injection truck?

Yeah, 1989 5.7 TBI.

 

[Vbb199]

Yeah, 1989 5.7 TBI.

Ok now we're getting somewhere.

No issues? Runs smooth thru the rpm range (up to 5000 rpms?)
Plays nice with your ECM?

I want all the details, I'll copy your setup if so.

Did you feel a bump in power?

 

[skysurfer]

Like I said, plug and play. I have a vague memory of messing with the coil bracket a little bit but it was so long ago I'd have to pull the air cleaner to be sure. If the MSD system did anything wonky it would've been yanked immediately. I wasn't looking to go this route but there was a local performance shop liquidating assets and I got the box brand new for $60 so I thought I'd give it a try. This one's basic, no adjustments. I think there are newer offerings from MSD that allow more end-user tweaks but I just wanted something simple that I didn't have to dick around with.

5000 rpm? I don't have a tach but I can mat the go pedal until the Th400 has to shift, whatever rpm that is, and there is no stumble or hesitation. As far as noticing a difference in performance, this was installed about the same time I added a lift kit, roof rack, and 35" tires so my truck got slower if anything. It runs good, but I wasn't expecting an ignition box to overcome all the other performance-robbing mods I've done.

 

[Vbb199]

Like I said, plug and play. I have a vague memory of messing with the coil bracket a little bit but it was so long ago I'd have to pull the air cleaner to be sure. If the MSD system did anything wonky it would've been yanked immediately. I wasn't looking to go this route but there was a local performance shop liquidating assets and I got the box brand new for $60 so I thought I'd give it a try. This one's basic, no adjustments. I think there are newer offerings from MSD that allow more end-user tweaks but I just wanted something simple that I didn't have to dick around with.

5000 rpm? I don't have a tach but I can mat the go pedal until the Th400 has to shift, whatever rpm that is, and there is no stumble or hesitation. As far as noticing a difference in performance, this was installed about the same time I added a lift kit, roof rack, and 35" tires so my truck got slower if anything. It runs good, but I wasn't expecting an ignition box to overcome all the other performance-robbing mods I've done.

Alright, thanks, I'll have to take note of what you have, and see if I can upgrade

 

[Vbb199]

You talking about hooking up a typical MSD box or something else? I'm running a MSD 6A box with MSD 8226 coil. Using the 8876 wiring harness it was plug-and-play. Installed this in April 2008 and it's still going with zero problems.

I'm sorry for maybe harassing you, but I also am curious, do you have any check engine lights?

Usually I'm not very anal about these kinda details.
Looking at that 8226 coil, it appears you just replaced the factory coil in conjunction with the msd box, and just left the factory style distributor?

 

[skysurfer]

I’ve never had a cel. (and yes, it does light up with ignition on so it’s not broken, lol) Currently running the stock AC Delco distributor but also have a MSD 8366 dizzy sitting on the shelf. That one is earmarked for another engine that I can never seem to get around to installing. The 8366 allows you to install different advance springs and stop bushings for custom timing curves, but I don’t know how the ecm would respond to that.

 

[bucket]

You talking about hooking up a typical MSD box or something else? I'm running a MSD 6A box with MSD 8226 coil. Using the 8876 wiring harness it was plug-and-play. Installed this in April 2008 and it's still going with zero problems.

That's exactly what I meant, a harness that let's you directly plug in a standard box.