HAS ANYONE TRIED INSTALLING AN MSD IGNITION SYSTEM IN THERE BONNEVILLE ? IM PLANNING IN PUCHASING ONE.I SPOKE TO A DEALER AND HE SAID THE DIS 4 MODEL WILL WORK W/ THE BONNEVILLE.AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE ADAPTERS FOR MY COILS.WHAT ARE THE POWER GAINS ECT....

The MDS 4 will work with the Bonneville.. and the adapter is to make you're life easier ( instead of stripping and splicing wires ). As far as improvements... I don't know.. haven't tried them yet. But from what I've been told.. it helps keep the KR down, and you'll definitely need to upgrade your ignition system ( i.e. MSD 4 ) if you want to go NAAAWWZZZZ !!!!!

WHATS A KR ?

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong:

KR stands for knock retard. This is what happens when the ingnition goes off too soon to help control emmisions, power, etc... The spark hits before the piston is at top dead center so it puts un-needed stress on the engine parts. If the piston is trying to go up and ignition is already occuring, it will try to push the piston back down which puts a lot of stress on the pistons, rods, and related parts. The MSD coils / ignition help to control the spark to prevent KR.

This is what I've heard (no expert here ) but I am sure others can add on to this.

THAT SOUNDS PREETY BAD. I HAVE 176.000 MILES ON MY ENGINE (REBUILT) AND ACCELERATION IS FEELS A BIT SLUGGISH LATELY. I HAVE READ ACCOUNTS OF MSD'* BEING INSTALLED WITH PRETTY GOOD IMPROVEMENTS IN ACCELERATION AND CONSISTENCY.

Try this setup!
MSD 8.5MM Wires (pt# 32789); MSD Ignition Control DIS-4 (Pt# 6215); MSD Buick Interface (Pt# 887 and Accel GM Magnavox DIS Super Coil (Pt# 140016)!
This what I'm planning for my Bonneville.

Does KR occur because the CPM tries to retard the engine to rid itself of the knock?

As far as I know yes... the pcm retards the ignition time ( delay of power going to the sparkplug ).. it prevents the air/fuel mixture from prematurely firing advance... but a higher octane fuel usually helps. However.. for some strange reason.. my car 97 SSEI seems to like and feels more peppier with 89 Mid-grade octane , compared to supreme. I know on some older cars.. this holds true.. but never thought my 97 was like that too.. but I need to verify it as soon as I get my hands on a laptop with proper software and cable to read the PCm while I run.. and compare

Thanks for clarifying this for me drifter, I was alwas curious about KR but too embarrased to ask .

No problem.. that'* what we're here for...


As Mr. Garrison from south park would say " There'* no such thing as stupid question.. just stupid people... "

Trust me.. I asked everybody everything around here and most of my knowledge is from asking...

Working up to asking.. "Hey babey... what'* your sign ???"
ha ha ha ha.... kiddin..