Honda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech ChatHonda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech Chat - for the true gearheads! Bring your wrench, it's time for some Honda Civic DIY projects! Questions about problems with your car do NOT go here.
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This is my first time posting on this forum and i am stumped on a question maybe some1 here can help me with..I Drive a 1991 Honda Civic SI with a B18A1 swap. Recently, i have noticed that it is time for an updated ignition system. I talked to a mechanic of mine who works on strictly Honda's, and he said i should go NGK because the Auto Zone Distributors, Spark Plugs, and Sparkplug wires just dont last.. Later on a friend of mine recommends i should go for a MSD ignition system. I have looked up both brands and come up with, MSD Distributor and Sparkplug wires (Couldnt find sparkplugs by MSD brand) and NGK Sparkplug wires/sparkplugs. (Couldnt find Distributors by NGK Brand) I was also told by this friend that the NGK was just the OEM replacement and that MSD would be better performance wise. So i guess my question is, which is the way to go? Would it work if i got MSD Distributor and NGK wires/plugs? Please hold on negative comments. I already know this is a dumb question.
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__________________ 91 civic si
B18A1 swap
V2 AEM CAI
Full Mugen exhaust (Headers to Tip)
Walbro 255 LPR Fuel Pump
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I personally just replace my rotor and cap with msd along with an external coil. It's fairly easy and all I hear about MSD is good stuff. I currently have NGK plugs and oem wires. MSD wires are coming soon and need to recheck my plugs at the same time. Anyway both companies are good but I personally would go with all msd and ngk plugs.
Honestly, no. It was very easy. The hardest part is making sure you get the right two wires from the old coil and extending them. I have had two problems since I initially installed the MSD ignition. The first issue was a stupid mistake but when I cut the old coil wires, I crimped them to two new wires to extend them to reach the new external coil. Only problem is that u have very limited room and you really should solder instead of crimping. You'll realize whether you did it right the first time or not, as the car will NOT run like it used to. The second issue is that the external coil comes with shock absorbers to prevent vibration from damaging the coil and from snapping the bolts, well they broke even though they are the one thing that's not supposed to. I may have mounted them at an ackward angle or something but it's not a huge issue as only one has broke so far.
The install consisted of drilling three holes, which I placed on my passenger wheel well. Mounting the coil with the supplied hardware. Removing the stock cap, rotor, and coil. Make sure that you know which wire does what. A repair manual will help you out with that step. You need to cut off the old connectors and strip them. At this point I took the MSD cap and drilled a hole through the side for the extended wires. You will need to line up the cap and figure out which side is best to drill into. Take the extra wire you plan on using and cut it to make sure it runs from the coil wires to the MSD coil. Make sure you use extra slack. Fish the wire through the hole in the MSD cap and solder it to the stock coil wires. Make sure they are water tight and tuck them under where the new rotor will go so that the rotor will not damage the wires. Add connectors to the other end for the MSD coil and attach them to it. Attach the new rotor and and screw in the screw. Place the MSD cap on and fastener it down. Make sure you used the supplied gasket too. Hopefully you were smart enough not to remove the spark plug wires from the old cap when you took it off because now it will come in handy. Relocate each spark plug wire from the old cap to the MSD cap matching the prongs. After that is all done, you should have one prong left.
Take the extra spark wire sent with the kit and cut it down so that it fits from the coil to the remaining prong on the cap. Follow the instructions on how to strip and crimp the wire per the instructions and then attach the wire to the coil and cap. Your car should now be ready to start. If it doesn't start, or you have an idling problem, check the coil wires. Any questions, ask them here or contact MSD support.
***NOTICE***
I am not resposible for any problems with your installation and/or faulty products. Do this install at your own risk.
It took me roughly 6 hours just becuase I was tired and making sure I did everything right. I messed up crimping the one wire too but this install should be within 2 hrs granted you have all nessecary tools. Good luck and enjoy your new ignition system.
