MSD coil and plug wires

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Smithcraft
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Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:56 am
Location: North Covington, WA

MSD coil and plug wires

Post by Smithcraft »

So, I'm getting started with the plans for the services that I'm gonna do in March and I noticed that the MSD coil appears to have a different style of mounting post for the plug wires, than the stock coil does.

So if I get the NGK wires(FX31), do the caps on the coil end of the wires just slide down and cover the coil tower, or do I need to get a different wire set?

Thanks!

SC
1994 Legacy Mi

2008 Legacy GT SpecB
brweber352
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Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:01 pm
Location: Florida

Post by brweber352 »

The stock wires have male coil connectors, you need female connectors to fit the new coil. I think I got my wires for a 97 or 99 legacy 2.2 NA, they fit with no modification. You may have to use some needle nose pliers and pull the connectors out of the spark plug boot ends, I did this as I was having trouble getting some to click on. I used NAPA Belden Max wires, since these were cheap and I was looking for fitment issues, I will upgrade to Magnecor in future. Just make sure the coil side connectors on the wires are female and will mate to the male coil towers. There were two sets of wires I was looking at, they looked almost identical except the spark plug boot ends, I chose the one that looked to fit best. You could probably just swap your old spark plug boots if you have too much trouble, silicone spray comes in very handy for doing this. I will try to get the part# and the specific application for the wires I'm using. Also, two of the wires had 90* boots on the coil side, the othe two were straight.

When you do this, put the plug wires on the coil just like stock. If it runs bad or won't start just turn the coil around so the electrical plug is on the side where the throttle cable is. You can probably just swap channels,IDK, I had enough electrical wire to rotate the coil without rewiring.

To be completely honest, don't expect much from the MSD coil unless you have an aftermarket ingnition box, like the DIS-2. If you just need a new coil, please consider just getting a TESTED USED coil for about $20 , then replace the wires and plugs with NGK goodies. If you do decide to do the MSD, you can find a picture of my engine bay , Picture and Multimedia Gallery, scroll down to Show and Tell: 93 TLeg Wag. Let me know if I need to get part #'s or provide some more info.

Good Luck, Brian
93'TLegWag171k StockBlock,TD05,HallmanMBC,530cc,Walbro255,shortram,LWpulley,DIS-2,MSDcoil,cxrFMIC,trans cooler/external filter,WRX wheels/brakes,CES w/Borla muffler,QTP elec cutout,REVchip2,KYB GR2,GroupN tops/all fr bushings,STImounts,GSD3 tires,LM-1,etc
Smithcraft
Second Gear
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:56 am
Location: North Covington, WA

Post by Smithcraft »

I do plan on putting a ignition system in, in the future, and it appears that the MSD coil is the best coil option to handle an advanced spark system.

Or depending on how much else is going on, I may go with the Diamond pack Subaru coil. I just would rather get the coil that is more flexable first rather than get another coil down the road.

I checked out your pics! Nice car! There is another install where on the right side of the coil, both connections are the right angle connectors, and the left side has straight connectors. I'm not worried so much about the connectors, as I am the current flow.

SC
1994 Legacy Mi

2008 Legacy GT SpecB
ciper
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Post by ciper »

I wont ask why you need this but may I suggest a good working diamond pack attached to a DIS-2? Its extremely easy to make this plug and play if you visit the junk yard and cut the wires from a coil and its matching plug on the engine harness, to make a pass through connector.
Smithcraft
Second Gear
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:56 am
Location: North Covington, WA

Post by Smithcraft »

I was under the impression that the stock coil packs didn't work well with a multi spark ignition computer, so that is why I was looking to go with the MSD. However, I might not go with an MSD ignition system, so I might end up having to wire some sort of intermediate connection, no matter what coil I go with.

Plus there is the bigger spark! :mrgreen:

SC
1994 Legacy Mi

2008 Legacy GT SpecB
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