Here are all the MSD goodies on display. The 7AL-2 and HVC2 coil will supply all the juice I could ever need. The red box on the right is the Programmable Launch Rev Limiter and will merit some more attention in a future article.

So, now we have fuel. We need to light it! I have used ignition products from MSD since my very first car and have always been happy with the result. For the last 10 years I have used the same MSD 6 AL 2 box without fail but I decided that maybe I should start fresh at this time. My first thought was to go with one of the new “fancy” digital setups but after looking at ALL of the features and possible usage’s of the digital units I realized that I wont use HALF of their capabilities. Also, I already have an MSD multi-step retard unit and it won’t work with the digital boxes. Don’t get me wrong, the digitals are pretty cool and I will probably go to a programmable 7 someday, but not now with the current car setup.

I called MSD and talked to Todd Ryden. Just as I did with the fuel system, I told Todd what I was doing and what I needed for features. He suggested I go with what used to be the king stuff before the digitals came along, the MSD 7AL2. This baby is one hell of a flame-thrower and has been track proven to provide all the power I could use. Also, I went with the new HVC II coil (Part No. 8261) for the 7 series ignitions. I also needed a new distributor to send the spark, so I went with an MSD Pro Billet unit. To finish off the install I got some MSD Super Conductor wires and made them up myself.

So far, most of the parts are pretty normal, well-known components that literally thousands of enthusiasts have used for years. The one MSD component that I will bet not too many drag racers are aware is available is called the Programmable Launch Controller (Part No. 7561). This unit is made to work with any of MSD’s non-digital boxes.

I was telling Todd that eventually when the new combo is sorted out I am kind of worried about doing too big and too violent of wheelies. I know, I always end my article with “When in doubt. . .DO A WHEELIE!” But, I don’t necessarily want to destroy the car either! I had figured on trying to pull some timing out at the launch to cut power, but Todd told me he knew what I needed and wanted me to try it. First off, this is NOT technically a traction

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control device. There are NO sensors or any other inputs going into the unit. What you do is program in a time-based rev limit. I’m planning on doing a more detailed article about this device in the future, so for now I will just give you the basics.

Todd explained to me that originally this unit was intended for the boat racers to help control the engine rpm’s on launch, hopefully saving some wear and tear on drivetrain pieces. The primary usage in the drag racing world would be to help control wheel speed and tire spin on a slick track. I know this sounds like traction control, but it has NO inputs from sensors or other telemetry feeding any information back to the unit. It is basically a programmable 2-step. With the use of a laptop (or the available hand-held controller), racers can program in a predetermined low-side rpm (such as your current 2-step rpm), then at the release of the button or whatever you use as a trigger, you can have the programmable launch controller hold the rpm’s at a certain level for a certain amount of time until it finally lets the engine run at full power up to the user programmed high-side rpm. All of the rpm and time aspects of the program are mapped in graph form and the program is very user friendly.

You can learn more by visiting MSD’s webpage and searching for Part No. 7561. It is simple to install and simple to operate. Also, MSD has an adjustable low-side unit that simply plugs in, allowing the racer to make low-side adjustments with the twist of a knob instead of having to break out the laptop. I wrapped up the ignition install with one of MSD’s shift-lights and ACCEL U-Groove plugs.