msd or dui?

[bigchief79]

Which is better, MSD or DUI? Can anybody running either of these set-ups give any pros and cons on each? I'm trying to decide on which way to go. Thanks

[jeepguzzi]

MSD. 12 years and I haven't touched it since I put it in.

[oddfire]

Ive done both and recommend D.U.I......phil

[dublt]

Hate to sound stupid, but what's DUI?

[89grand]

Davis Unified Ignition. It's the name of a distributor company.

[mdill]

From a pure simple is better point of view , DUI has it hands down.

Mike D.

[nufdum]

I like my MSD. I have never used a DUI

[SFFSJ]

I like my MSD -- but I haven't used a DUI.

Pro & Con on the same issue, tho -- Con: I had an MSD get flakey and go out on me.... (which I've heard isn't too rare).

But, the pro is this -- (1) they're in every local auto part store (at least around me), so I was able to get a duplicate box immediately (stuck in Tahoe, and couldn't wait to send it for repair), and (2) their tech support is **great**. I haven't sent the flaky box in (yet), but I have contacted them with stupid questions and 2 requests for a copy of the instructions / smog sticker, and the responses have always been fast and polite... they even shipped those instructions to me completely free.

I was impressed! Maybe DUI's as good, or maybe their product never needs to use their support, but I like knowing my "investment" is backed up by that kind of operation.

[bigchief79]

I've heard a lot of people talk about their MSD crapping out too soon. Maybe because more people have used MSD. I like the simplicity of DUI. Are they about equal on price? How about parts for DUI? Is it true it's just a modified HEI ignition? Thanks

[John V]

You could go with one of Ted's HEI setups and save a few bucks. ;)
HEI for AMC (http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=016014;p=1)

[Matthew W. Woodruff]

the only thing that has me leaning to the DUI is the claim that the distributor has been curved to factory specs;

does anyone know if the other HEI dizzys that are sold on ebay and elsewhere have been curved?

[oddfire]

Davis { Performance Distributors} will actually curve the dizzy to your specs. They ask you a bunch of questions about your rig and its purpose at the time of order. Don't know about the others, but Ted is a member here..........phil

[bigchief79]

oddfire, what do they ask and are they usually dead on when they adjust the dist curve?

[oddfire]

They asked about c.i. displacement, what cam, any other engine mods, vehicle weight, purpose..towing , offroad, hiway driving, and a coupla others I cant remember. I am very happy with my D.U.I. Have been running it as a daily driver {50-75 city miles every day} for almost 3 years without even checking to see if I need a new cap and rotor.{probly should do that soon!}...............phil

[netbear]

I have been using an MSD6-Offroad on a 429
Ford in a F100. Starting the engine is very
quick and easy and I loved it until the unit
strarted having intermittent periods of
going dead. It stranded me a couple times
but oddly cleared itself up after "resting"
for a period of a few hours. I called MSD
tech and they were very nice. I need to
send the unit in for repair. Not sure if
there will be a charge or not. When it works,
it is great. The lesson I learned is to have
a spare unit if you are going into the wilderness.

I have several friends running the DUI (HEI)
in AMC 401s. They love them and have had no
problems at all. My 401 has a new OEM dist
in it but when I replace it, I may just go
to the DUI set up. It works great, is simple
and seems to be very reliable. I would still
carry a spare module assy and coil just because
they can go south and take little space to
carry. Ignition spares are good to have
no matter which brand you run.

My advice is go DUI for stock-near stock engines.

The MSD's are better for high RPM race type
applications in my opinion. Both are very good.

[bigchief79]

thanks for all the info guys. One other technical question, in swaping the distributor should I reuse the drive gear since it has ben warn on or go ahead with a new gear. I've always heard to replace both gears at the same time.

[oddfire]

Now your talking about tearing into the timing cover. Might as well do a new double roller timing chain at the same time cause it comes with the drive gear. Before you do the install, post here for info, cause there are some important things to check {oil passages in the drive gear}. Get a good quality set {I run a Cloyes} cause you wont want to do that job again soon........phil

edit: if your talking about the gear on the end of the distributor, a new one comes on the D.U.I.

[ March 21, 2003, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: oddfire ]

[bigchief79]

Sorry. Yes, I meant the gear on the distributor. Everything is fairly new. Only about 4000 miles on rebuilt engine. I guess the question would be can I use a new distributor gear without replacing the dist drive gear on the cam?

[oddfire]

With only 4000 miles on it I wouldn't worry about the timing setup. I did a timing chain and gear replacement, then did the TFI upgrade with all MSD componants, including distributor, about 6 mos after that then about 6 mos after that did the D.U.I. probly had 10,000 on it by then. It's been fine for almost three years now, not one ignition problem and it gets used hard every day........phil

[ March 21, 2003, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: oddfire ]

[bigchief79]

Cool! Thanks oddfire. I think I'll be ordering a new DUI soon. smile.gif

[ March 21, 2003, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: bigchief79 ]