MSD Ignition

History

MSD Ignition was the first company in the world to experiment with Multiple Spark Discharge for the ignition system of internal combustion engines in 1970. The idea was first proposed by a group of engineers working on the White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. The engineers worked for the research and development company Autotronic Controls Corporation (ACC) that was striving to develop leaner burning fuel systems to increase engine fuel efficiency. The engineers discovered that their limiting factor to efficiently burning the extremely lean air-fuel mixtures was that they did not have ample spark to ignite the mixtures. After a great deal of research and development they were able to introduce the first multiple spark system using capacitive discharge and put it on the market under the name Multiple Spark Discharge (MSD).

Shortly after coming onto the market, the new ignition system was also shown to work particularly well in racing applications in 1976. Word of mouth among top racers helped the product and the company's popularity grow. Now, the 7AL from MSD is one of the most popular ignition systems among all performance race engines. The company moved to new facilities in El Paso, Texas and started to develop an extensive line of other automotive ignition products. Although the official legal name remains ACC even today, the products are sold under the name MSD Ignition in reference to their original unique multiple spark technology.

The company has seen some trouble in introducing new features. One incident involving "slew rate rev limiters" as a form of basic traction control caused a number of the company's products to be banned from a variety of sanctioning bodies. Still, other products are mandated as required parts for certain classes in those same race organizations. In fact, in his book Custom Auto Wiring and Electrical, Matt Strong asserts that “the company with the most experience in the field has to be MSD, who has at least two duplicate ignitions in every NASCAR series race vehicle (cars and trucks alike).” Strong concludes, “If you want reliable high performance, splurge for MSD’s high-performance billet aluminum electronic distributor.”